Beer review: JDub's Esperanza

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JDub's Esperanza. (Staff photo / Alan Shaw)

JDub's Esperanza. (Staff photo / Alan Shaw)

Beer: Esperanza

Brewery: JDub's Brewing Co., Sarasota

Notes: JDub’s Scotch ale aged in Siesta Key Rum barrels from Sarasota’s Drum Circle Distilling. A brewery-only release sold over the weekend.

Jeremy Joerger, JDub's founder, has a great story about this beer: When Troy Roberts, Drum Circle's owner/distiller, called the brewery, Joerger and head brewer Tom Harris dropped everything and drove to the distillery in five minutes to pick up the barrels.

Bottled in a 750 ml with a cork and bottle cap on top of that. I don’t think JDub’s would have a problem with aging this beer. But I couldn't wait: I drank it on the night it was released!

Deep brown in color, just hints of light make it through the edges of my glass. Foam off-white head.

Quite the complex aroma: I’m smelling spiced rum, along with vanilla and chocolate.

Sweet and malty with lots of rum flavors, along with woody notes that must be from the barrel too. The rum flavors aren't overpowering, however. This is a complex beer that shows restraint instead of bashing you with huge rum and alcohol flavors. I wouldn't call it subtle, but it's not extreme either at 8 percent alcohol.

Body is on the lighter side, but not watery.

An excellent beer from JDub's. I look forward to more collaborations between them and Drum Circle Distilling.

Have you had JDub's Esperanza? What did you think? Use the comment field below to sound off.

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Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw has been a fan of craft beer since the 1990s. He is partial to hops and has been an editor at the Herald-Tribune since 1997. He can be reached at (941) 361-4914, by email or mail at 1741 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Follow him at @alancshaw on Twitter and on Facebook.
Last modified: September 15, 2014
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