Jolly Pumpkin Set For Aug. 7 Royal Oak Opening

ROYAL OAK, MI — The Jolly Pumpkin Brewery will open in downtown Royal Oak on Aug. 7. After announcing plans to come to the city in March, the brewery known for its artisan ales will be located at the corner of Fifth and Main Streets.

“We use traditional the Belgian brewing methods of open fermentation, oak aging and bottle conditioning allowing the influence of wild yeast and bacteria to work their way into our beers,” according to the Jolly Pumpkin website. “Through time and blending we are able to provide a path for the beer to take, leading to more complex depths of flavor.”

Given the brewery’s name, you might think that pumpkin is a key ingredient in all of their beers. “No, it is just a name,” Jolly Pumpkin says in its frequently asked questions website section. “We do however, have a fall seasonal pumpkin beer, La Parcela.”

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Besides beer, a full menu will also be offered. The Jolly Pumpkin’s Midtown Detroit location offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza and even has a kids menu. The Detroit brewery and restaurant is a hit with reviewers on Yelp, scoring a four-star ranking out of five.

“Knowledgeable, helpful staff...attentive bartenders,” wrote Shawnmarie B. of Nashville in a July 15 review. She gave Jolly Pumpkin five stars. “Rare beer list and excellent truffle fries and chargrilled bean burgers. We love this place. The ambience was so welcoming and modern.”

Angela S. of Northville raved about Jolly Pumpkin’s pizza in a June 25 review on Yelp. “Is there such thing as craft pizza? If so, Jolly Pumpkin wins, hands down!,” she wrote, giving the establishment five stars. “Best craft pizza there is! Normally I get the Margarita pizza there because it is to die for, but this time I tried the mushroom and it did not disappoint!”

Photo by Brent Rostad via Flick Commons