Watch CBS News

Jolly Pumpkin Brings Sour Ales To Midtown Detroit (Video)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Jolly Pumpkin is joining the burgeoning beer scene in Detroit's Midtown, and some of its beers will give customers a sour taste in their mouth - and that's a good thing.

The brewery offers oak-aged, wild and sour beers, which is unique in the Detroit beer scene.

"Most craft beers in Michigan are traditionally fermented ales and lagers. Jolly Pumpkin is quite different, it has wild yeast," said Jon Carlson, co-founder and co-CEO, Northern United Brewing Co. "The difference for sour beers is its wild yeast that infects the beer and causes the fermentation process. When you taste the beers you are going to taste something that is so unique ... very different from other beers I think you will taste in the state of Michigan."

The 5,000-square-foot Jolly Pumpkin restaurant and tap house is the company's fourth location and is located at 441 Canfield, next to Shinola, and will open in mid-April.

The interior of the building features exposed high ceilings, with picnic benches and booths for patrons. The walls of Jolly Pumpkin are covered with pallet wood from a company near the Packard Plant along with paintings of the company's beer labels.

There is also drive-through window on the side of the building that will allow for a new take on call-ahead, curbside ordering. The building also has room to expand in the future with a rooftop deck and mezzanine.

Jolly Pumpkin joins a burgeoning beer scene in Midtown which includes Traffic Jam and Snug, Motor City Brewing Works and HopCat.

Among the artisan ales Jolly Pumpkin will offer on more than 30 taps include:

  • Bam Bier - a dry hopped farmhouse ale with spicy malts, hops and yeast.
  • Bam Noire – a dark, smooth year-round beer with notes of sweet plum and toasted raisin, hints of coffee and cacao.
  • Biere de Mars - brewed to comfort in the gusty ides of March this beer welcomes in a wealth of warmer weather.
  • Calabaza Blanca - brewed in the Belgian Biere Blanche tradition with orange peel and coriander.
  • Fuego del Otono – a fall Saison that gives off gentle amber malt and blends smooth caramel notes with spice.
  • iO - a barrel aged Saison brewed with rose hips, rose petals and hibiscus, giving it a unique color and character.
  • La Parcela – a pumpkin beer packed with real pumpkins, hints of spice and a gentle kiss of cacao.
  • La Roja – artisan amber ale brewed in the Flanders tradition with deep amber color and earthy caramel, spice, and sour fruit notes developed through natural barrel aging.
  • Luciernaga – a Belgian style Pale Ale Saison blend this beer includes coriander and Grains of Paradise round out a spicy palate.
  • Maracaibo Especial – a sour brown ale brewed with real cacao and spiced with cinnamon and sweet orange peel.
  • Noel de Calabaza – a seasonal beer with flavors of figs, raisins, sugar plums, cashews and rum laden truffles.
  • Oro de Calabaza – a strong golden ale with a spicy and peppery flavor earned from its gentle hop bouquet and wild yeast.
  • Wiezen Bam – a seasonal Saison farmhouse ale blend that brings the flavors of lemon and banana to stir the senses.

In addition to serving the ales, Jolly Pumpkin will serve North Peak Beer, Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines, in addition to pub fare.

Menu item ingredients come from local businesses including Avalon Bakery, McClures Pickles and Calder Dairy. Some of the items diners will find Jolly Pumpkin pizzas and truffle fries.

"Detroit has always been on our radar," said Tony Grant, CFO/COO, Northern United Brewing Co., who calls a Midtown a mecca for food and craft beers. "It's becoming a craft beer corridor in the city ... this is the perfect area for us."

Jolly Pumpkin has locations in Ann Arbor, Traverse City and Dexter, is part of Northern United Brewing Co., which also includes the Grizzly Peak and North Peak Beer Co. craft beer brands, as well as Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales are distributed in 40 states.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.