The New York Times Beers of the Times recently did a tasting of Belgian Golden Ales that Michigan - precisely the Leelanau Brewing Company and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales - dominated, taking home the 4th best and the top beer!
Of the 20 beers we tasted, 10 were from Belgium, nine from the United States and one from Canada. It says something about the skill and ambition of American brewers that three of our top four were from the United States.
Our No. 1 beer was the Oro de Calabaza from Jolly Pumpkin, which, like the Good Harbor Ale, is from Dexter, Mich., a small town near Ann Arbor. A cabal of Belgian beer lovers in Dexter?
Perhaps, but these two beers were brewed by the same man, Ron Jeffries, the founder of Jolly Pumpkin, who also finds time to do the brewing for Leelanau. Both of these beers were unfiltered, giving them a hazy appearance, and aged in barrels, but beyond that they are completely different. While the Good Harbor was funky, the Oro de Calabaza was spicy, fruity and floral, with soft carbonation and fresh, vibrant flavors. Same man, different yeasts, at the least.
Congratulations to these great Michigan beers and brewer Ron Jeffries. If you'd like to go in-depth with both of these beers, MyNorth.com has features on Jolly Pumpkin and Leelanau Brewing.
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