Happy Halloween! It's time for Pumpkin Beer Reviews.
I hate the fall, because it means I have to close the pool and Winter is coming. The thing that helps me get through it? PUMPKIN BEERS!!!
This is my extensive...um...research project (yeah....that's the ticket!) to guide you what beers you should enjoy while passing out candy to the kiddos.
Cheers.
Rivertown Brewery - Pumpkin Autumnal Ale
Cincinnatti Ohio
www.rivertownbrewery.com
What they say:
A little bit of trick combined with a whole lot of treat, our spice infused Pumpkin Ale blends dark sugars, fresh pumpkin and a selection of memorable harvest spices that come together in a well balanced, medium bodied, rich, copper hued ale. With just enough sweet to balance out the spice, this is how we do pumpkin pie.Malt: 2-Row, White Wheat, Dark Crystal Hops: Bravo Specialty: Black Strap Molasses, Pumpkin, Spices ABV: 5.2% IBU: 28Available August thru October
What does Dave think?
The smell is a little funky, not spicy. It says it is an Ale, but it is very light. I would say more like the body of a lager. Not that it's a bad thing. It makes it more of a session pumpkin beer. When the beer warms up a bit you get more nutmeg than cinnamon. Another good thing. It's got a good balance. It's one of the few pumpkin beers that has enough balance that you could drink all-day.
It's a good session Pumpkin beer.
Ranking: 4 out of 5 pumpkins
DuClaw
Baltimore Maryland
www.duclaw.com
What they say:
Following in the footsteps of “31” Pumpkin Spiced Lager, “62” Imperial Pumpkin Ale pushes the specialty pumpkin beer envelope to its limit. This dark reddish-brown, medium/full-bodied ale is a feast for the senses with warm, vibrant, hop gun-infused flavors and aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove; a hearty malt backbone, balanced by a subdued hop presence and strong 8.2% abv.
What does Dave think?
Great balance of beer, pumpkin and spices. This is a darker beer, which helps balance the sweetness of the pumpkin. I think the darker ale helps this beer taste maltier, which gives it a slight toffee taste. It does have a good cinnamon and clove presence, but it's not overpowering.
Coming from Cleveland...I don't like admitting that I like something from Baltimore, but this beer is in the top of my rankings.
Ranking: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins
Weyerbacher - Imperial Pumpkin
Easton Pennsylania
weyerbacher.com
What they say:
This 8.0% ABV pumpkin ale is the mother of all pumpkin ales. It is heartier, spicier and more “caramelly” and “pumpkiny” than its faint brethren! We have added lots of pumpkin along with cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of cardamom and clove, giving this beer a spicy, full-bodied flavor.
What does Dave think?
I hate this beer. It's very spice forward. It's like it's a beer that has all the spice that should go into a pumpkin pie, and then you forget to add the pumpkin. It's got a great aroma, but all that spice just comes across as bitter in the back of the tounge. It's like a bad hot wing, where the super hot out-weighs the flavour of the chicken wing. The taste lingers too long. There is too much spice and not enough ale or malty flavors.
I think it is too expensive for what you get out of it.
Ranking: 1 out of 5 pumpkins
Red Hook - Out of your Gourd Pumkin Porter
Portsmith New Hampshire
www.redhook.com
What they say:
Out of Your Gourd Pumpkin Porter is dark chestnut brown in color and is made with pureed pumpkin. Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are added to the whirlpool and maple syrup is added during fermentation. This full-bodied, rich roasty porter makes you want to eat turkey and watch football, or build a bonfire.
What does Dave think?
This one is really tasty. It's got a very nice aroma. The body is dark, creamy and smooth. It has the nice balance of spice, but it's not overpowering. It gets a little sweeter as it warms up. I do not taste the maple syrup (as advertised), but that is probably a good thing.
Ranking: 4 out of 5 pumpkins
Sam Adams - Pumpkin Patch
Boston MA
www.samueladams.com
What they say:
This beer was inspired by the flavors of the fall. Real pumpkin, roasted malts, and spices like cinnamon, ginger, & nutmeg combine with a lively saison character.
What does Dave think?
It's got a good pumpkin flavor and a heavy spice. It's ok. It has a nice dry finish, but not a big aroma. It's very drinkable, but nothing special.
Ranking: 2.5 out of 5 pumkins
O'Fallon - Pumpkin Beer
Maryland Heights Missouri
www.ofallonbrewery.com
What they say:
Like pumpkin pie in a bottle…we add 120 pounds of real pumpkin to the three-barley mash and then season the finished beer with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
What does Dave think?
This has an interesting spice. They use a special cinnamon or nutmeg to give it a very unique character. The spice hits you, but it mellows out nicely. It is very drinkable, but not a ton of pumpkin flavor as advertised. I get much more spice than pumpkin. It is smooth and has a good nose. It does start to taste a little plain as it warms up.
Ranking: 3 out of 5 pumpkins
Buffalo Bill's Brewery - Pumpkin Ale
Hayward California
BuffalloBillsBrewery.com
What they Say:
First brewed in 1985, America’s Original Pumpkin Ale has become a Fall tradition. Made with real pumpkin and spices, it has a golden amber color, and the sweet aroma of warm pumpkin pie.
What does Dave think?
This is a nice smooth and dry ale. It has a lot of cinnamon and nutmeg that hits you on the back of the mouth. Pumpkin is the dominant flavor to this very nice beverage.
I like this one a lot.
Ranking: 4 out of 5 pumpkins
Crooked River - Erie Nights
What they say:
N/A/
What does Dave think?
I have a personal problem with Crooked River. They used to be one of my absolute favorite local breweries to Cleveland, Ohio. Like the Browns...they moved to Baltimore. They are now a private label under Black Box Brewery in Westlake Ohio. Their production...well...it seems...a little crooked?
Anyways...how do I like the beer? It's very similar to Weyerbacher. It's dry and overly cinnamon-y. I wish there was more of a pumpkin taste to give it some balance. It does get a little more mellow as it warms up.
Ranking: 3.2 out of 5
Smuttynose - Pumpkin Ale
Hampton New Hampshire
www.smuttynose.com
What they say:
We brew Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale with real pumpkin and a blend of classic pumpkin pie spices in tribute to our colonial forebearers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins have been found from early European settlers in New England, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.”
What does Dave think?
THE WORST LABEL EVER!!!
Thank god the beer is good!
It's got a great nose. It is sweet, and great balance. You have a very nice spice with an equal balance of great pumpkin flavor.
I like this one a lot.
Ranking: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins
New Holland Brewing - Ichabod
New Holland Michigan
newhollandbrew.com
What they say:
Ichabod combines malted barley and real pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg in a delicious and inviting brew. After dinner, try it with your favorite dessert.
What does Dave think?
Finally!!! Someone with a unique brand to their pumpkin beer! Too bad that's all this beer has is a good name!
It's got a good smell, but like the headless horeseman...it's nose is missing it's body. I smell pumpkin, but I don't taste it.
Ranking: 2 out of 5 pumpkins
Arcadia Ales - Jaw Jacker
Kalamazoo Michigan
arcadiaales.com
What they say:
This spiced amber-wheat ale is our celebration of the arrival of Autumn. Using the finest malted barley and a small amount of wheat for mouthfeel, Jaw-Jacker displays a brilliant orange-amber color, despite the absence of pumpkin in the recipe.
What does Dave think?
This is awesome.
Great blend of pumpkin and spice that works really well. Wait? Did they just say there is no pumpkin in their recipe? Crazy?!?
No. just crazy good.
Ranking: 4.5 out of 5 pumpkins
Southern Tier Brewing - Warlock
New York
www.stbcbeer.com
What they say:
Warlock is brewed to enchant your palate on its own and also to counterpoint our Imperial Ale, Pumpking. Dark and mysterious, the Blackwater Series is serious about high gravity. Reanimate your senses with Warlocks huge roasted malt character, moderate carbonation and spicy pumpkin pie aroma.
What does Dave think?
It's dark and complex. It's not just a good pumpkin beer...it's a fantastic stout. I wish this was available year round.
I love the malty-ness to it. Like a recee's peanut butter cup...It's my favorite Halloween treat.
My only complaint? I wish it was a little lower in cost.
Ranking: 5 out of 5 pumkins
Magic Hat - Wilhelm Scream
South Burlington Vermont
Magichat.net
What they say:
WILHELM SCREAM IS RIPE WITH FALL FLAVORS OF PUMPKIN, CINNAMON, NUTMEG AND CARAMEL MALTS. MEDIUM-BODIED AND THE COLOR OF ORANGE SETTING SUNS, IT FINISHES SIMILAR TO THE WAY WE FINISH SUMMER: WITH JUST A HINT OF BITTERNESS.
What does Dave think?
This one makes me want to scream. It's very bitter. There is no creamy or malty flavor. It's very bright and almost acidic. It does get a little better and balanced when it warms up a bit.
Ranking: 1.5 out of 5 pumpkins
Fat Heads - Spooky Tooth
Middleburg Hts Ohio
fatheadsbeer.com
What they say:
Rich amber color with aroma of sweet pumpkin pie and savory spices with hints of sweet malt. Rich and creamy with a chewy mouthfeel that you can sink your teeth into. Flavors of pumpkin up front then sweet malt, pie crust, spice, hints of brown sugar and a clean finish. We stopped just short of the whipped cream. But we like the way you think.
What does Dave think?
This is a great beer! Its very balanced. As advertised, it does have a good bite to it. It's got a ton of pumpkin-y goodness that mixes well with the spice blend that Fat Head's uses. It's spicy. It's sweet. It's got good carmel and malt. It's like a great candy bar.
Ranking: 5 out of 5
Summary:
My top treats for 2015 that you should have:
Southern Tier Warlock, Fat Head's Spooky Tooth, Arcadia Jaw Jacker, Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, DuClaw Imperial Pumpkin Ale
