What does pumpkin add to the beer?

[thisisbeer]

I'm curious I have read that people proved that it doesn't effect gravity. What does it effect in beer, I mean there isn't much flavor in a pumpkin without all the spices. I assume any flavor that is added will be hidden by the spices people tend to add to there pumpkin beers. Anybody have any input on this?

 

[Cider123]

I believe that it is the spices in a pumpkin beer that give it most of the flavor. Pumpkin seems to just gum up the works.

 

[heywatchthis]

Pumpkin or any other squash, when mashed, seem to give me a nutty backdrop to my pumpkin/fall beers. I've never seen a substantial increase in OG because of it, but it does contribute background flavors and mouthfeel.

 

[brewguyver]

Pumpkin also provides a nice color to the beer. Personally I find the pumpkinless beers are good but they lack something. I also boil my pumpkin instead of mashing it.