Best Commercial Pumpkin Beer

[JusBiz]

I really want to like these beers, and I've tried many, but unfortunately all I can taste in them is the allspice.

 

[Auger]

This is exactly why I brew my own recipes haha. I actually like the taste of pumpkin and brew accordingly instead of all the pie spice they usually taste like.

 

[Jerz]

I tried the Southern Tier last night and don't care for it at all.

 

[jekeane]

Pumpking by Southern Tier is my least favorite by far. Was looking forward to trying it and I honestly hope the one I had was a bad batch. It tasted like a shot of pumpkin pie spice tincture. I bought 2 fought my way through 1 and put the other in the back of my keezer to give to someone I don't like...

From a review on Boston.com:

1. Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale: The organic brewery out of Middlebury, Vt. came in at the top spot. Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale was supremely well balanced. Pumpkin is present, but it's not in your face. There's a subtle hop overtone that lets you know you're drinking a real ale. My fellow tasters ranked this highly as well. This is exactly what I want in a pumpkin beer.

I couldn't agree more. If you hate the sweet, liquid pie style most brands offer for pumpkin ale don't despair; Wolaver's is the beer drinker's pumpkin. I'd drink it year round if it was available....


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But it is! Wolaver's shared their clone recipe in last months BYO Magazine

 

[Zekk]

I really liked last years Pumpkin Patch from Rogue. I had it up in Portland in their taproom and it was amazing. Had it out of the bottle a month later and, while still good, not nearly as good out the tap. Haven't bought one yet this year.

 

[radiogorillaz]

Just saw this thread and I regret my purchase of Sam Adams Pumpkin Harvest. I will however try it anyways.

Glad to see that Tröegs and Weyerbacher are high on the good list. Being from Pa, but living in Ga not sure if I will be able to try it, but I'm going to seek these out.

Sorry I couldn't add anything to the post. Maybe a review of Pumpkin Harvest over the weekend.

 

[peterj]

Just saw this thread and I regret my purchase of Sam Adams Pumpkin Harvest. I will however try it anyways.

Glad to see that Tröegs and Weyerbacher are high on the good list. Being from Pa, but living in Ga not sure if I will be able to try it, but I'm going to seek these out.

Sorry I couldn't add anything to the post. Maybe a review of Pumpkin Harvest over the weekend.

Hey, I'm in Smyrna too! I'm pretty sure I saw Weyerbacher's pumpkin at Smyrna World of Beverages on South Cobb near the East-West Connector. They have a pretty decent selection there.

 

[jsun]

This is exactly why I brew my own recipes haha. I actually like the taste of pumpkin and brew accordingly instead of all the pie spice they usually taste like.

But can you ACTUALLY taste the pumpkin? Most of what I read seems to suggests that pumpkin itself contributes essentially no flavor and is only included in those recipes so that it technically be called a "pumpkin beer." Anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

[Roadie]

My favorite pumpkin beer this year is Schlafly's. Bought 4 Pumking 1 was great 2 tasted like alcohol and 1 still in fridge... not much consistency. All the Schlafly's have tasted great and YES you can taste the pumpkin it isn't all about the spice.

 

[govner1]

Pumpking by Southern Tier is my least favorite by far. Was looking forward to trying it and I honestly hope the one I had was a bad batch. It tasted like a shot of pumpkin pie spice tincture. I bought 2 fought my way through 1 and put the other in the back of my keezer to give to someone I don't like...



But it is! Wolaver's shared their clone recipe in last months BYO Magazine

I couldn't agree more. Last year their PumKing was excellent. I even brewed a double batch based on the recipe here on HBT that turned out great.
However this year's brew is AWFUL!! Much too much cinnamon. It's overpowering & you can't get beyond that initial smack to your pallet.
Hopefully they'll improve next year.
Otherwise I'll stick to my clone.


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[pricelessbrewing]

Griffin claw bourbon imperial pumpkin. Absolutely delicious. Their regular pumpkick is good too.

 

[Gar]

Rivertown Pumpkin Ale is the only one i've found that i like. so far its the only one that i've had that didn't seem like a novelty and they were actually trying to make a tasty beer.

 

[Calichusetts]

Avery's Rumpkin. Yum, ages nicely.

Really not a fan of the over-spiced pumpkin beers...basically all of them. Still, I give it a shot. Had probably 15-20 different ones this year. SA Fat Jack is the most balanced and tastes like beer with a hint of spice. I liked their Harvest Saison too.

Two Roads Roadsmary's baby was nice too. Low abv but with a little rum characteristic from the barrels to compliment the spice.

 

[Auger]

But can you ACTUALLY taste the pumpkin? Most of what I read seems to suggests that pumpkin itself contributes essentially no flavor and is only included in those recipes so that it technically be called a "pumpkin beer." Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Pumpkin absolutely adds flavor, and yes I can taste it in the finished brew. It is a very subtle, light flavor that is easily overwhelmed by other adjuncts (like most pumpkin pie spices). In my own recipe, the pumpkin comes through as a light, sweet-ish, squash-like flavor. I add vanilla beans in the secondary which adds a smooth, light flavor that I think complements the pumpkin well vs. overwhelming it completely.

 

[jcoxen]

Either Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin or Long Trail's Imperial Pumpkin. They're both very good - nice, smooth beers with a good balance of malt and spice up front with a mild pumpkin finish. The spice mix is different on the two beers so comparing is fun. And neither one tries to taste like a glass of pumpkin pie.

 

[63belair]

My usual top 2 are Southern Tier's Pumking & Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin. I like that they're at different ends of the pumpkin beer spectrum.

I haven't had one this year yet, but last year I had a couple of Long Trail's Imperial Pumpkin's at the brewery and it was outstanding! I also recently had a Smuttynose pumpkin beer (forget the name) and I found it to be very balanced and not too 'spicy'.

 

[Billy-Klubb]

has anyone consulted Dar on this subject?

 

[JohnGonk]

1. Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale: Wolaver's is the beer drinker's pumpkin. I'd drink it year round if it was available....


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Yes, Wolavers pumpkin is a great choice...a good go to pumpkin...it also ages decent if thats your thing, i did so by accident and it was still good.

 

[CCBrewer]

Wood chuck pumpkin cider. Bought two cases, and this year dogfish punkin was MUCH better than last year

 

[bondra76]

Avery's Rumpkin. Yum, ages nicely.

Rumpkin is probably best pumpkin beer I've ever had.

I also like Lakefront's Imperial Pumpkin as well.

There's just something with Pumpkin and Rum/Brandy that goes great.

 

[Monkey-BB]

Post Road Pumpkin Ale is awesome!

 

[JohnGonk]

I just had Troegs master of pumpkins recently. I liked it a lot. Def one of the better pumpkin beers out there.

 

[grizzly2378]

I really liked Alaskan's Pumpkin Porter. Bought two 6 packs of it this year, but it's no longer available around here.


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