D_Ranged_Eskimo
Well-Known Member
Brooklyn Pumpkin, it's nothing but pumpkin flavor, or Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale, again, nothing but pumpkin flavor in it.
Pumpkin Ale Throwdown
- Thread starter KingBrianI
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk:
Brooklyn Pumpkin, it's nothing but pumpkin flavor, or Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale, again, nothing but pumpkin flavor in it.
I think the most well balanced medium type pumpkin ive had would be lakefront brewery's pumpkin lager. Nice medium of everything farily flawless lager.
I tried the pumking again and got alot more citrus bittering in the next bottle and less of the graham but still fairly grahmy thats why i always like to try a new one a few times. I also liked smashed pumpkin a little less after the next bottle, hmm but still preferred the smashed,but honestly my favorite may have been Lakefronts pumpkin lager this year from what I was able to try.
I didnt get the opportunity to try the others you had but tried a dozen or so i heard shefly's pumpkin was really good but was always out when i would try to seek it,so it must be decent. Just thought i would throw some opinion here. Definatly a fun pumpkin adventure, all the winter ales are coming out now.
I tried the pumking again and got alot more citrus bittering in the next bottle and less of the graham but still fairly grahmy thats why i always like to try a new one a few times. I also liked smashed pumpkin a little less after the next bottle, hmm but still preferred the smashed,but honestly my favorite may have been Lakefronts pumpkin lager this year from what I was able to try.
I didnt get the opportunity to try the others you had but tried a dozen or so i heard shefly's pumpkin was really good but was always out when i would try to seek it,so it must be decent. Just thought i would throw some opinion here. Definatly a fun pumpkin adventure, all the winter ales are coming out now.
Great thread. Bumping for the season. Thanks KingBrian.
JordanThomas
Well-Known Member
R.I.P. Michigan Brewing Company Screamin' Pumpkin. It was my favorite, and the company went under. What a shame.
BillBeer247
Well-Known Member
you should try schlafly pumpkin ale
Went out and bought some Pumpkin ales and they are missing the mark. IMHO, Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale and did not get the pumpkin flavor at all. It is very drinkable (quafable), but the pumpkin flavor was not there. We also tried the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale. King's review was spot on there. Lots of nutmeg and clove, crisp, malty, but not a pumpkin pie. The quest continues.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
JordanThomas
Well-Known Member
Kuhnnhenn All Hallows Ale... CAN'T WAIT.
BargainMugs
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
- Messages
- 361
- Reaction score
- 12
I've had 2 bottles of Pumking this season and so far they're definitely better than last year's batch. Hopefully they bottle the Oak-Aged version this year.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
I picked up some of the 2012 crop today. Still not done shopping though, as there were a couple I didn't find, namely Pumking and the Schlafly's beer. I'm not even sure if schlafly's is distributed in my area. Anyway, now that the weather is becoming more conducive to pumpkin beers here, I'll be starting the reviews later today.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
First review of the season!
Buffalo Bill's Brewery's Pumpkin Ale
Poured a faded orange/gold. Very slight haze but not particulates. Small head quickly dissipated. Aroma is faint, but pleasant. Some slight spice notes, sweet malt and very faint yeasty esters. Flavor is a bit thinner than I expected. Slight sweetness (though not really a malty sweetness) dominates before quickly going watery with a slightly medicinal spicy finish. Very little bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium to low and a bit like sparkling water. The flavor is actually very reminiscent of slightly sweetened sparkling water with a strange spice note. I'd be very surprised if there was any pumpkin used for this beer. And I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of non-malt fermentables added. And it has a twist-off cap, which, although I don't need to keep bottles anymore, still lowers my opinion of the beer. Not a bad beer, but very little going on here. I'll not be buying anymore of this one this year.
Buffalo Bill's Brewery's Pumpkin Ale
Poured a faded orange/gold. Very slight haze but not particulates. Small head quickly dissipated. Aroma is faint, but pleasant. Some slight spice notes, sweet malt and very faint yeasty esters. Flavor is a bit thinner than I expected. Slight sweetness (though not really a malty sweetness) dominates before quickly going watery with a slightly medicinal spicy finish. Very little bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium to low and a bit like sparkling water. The flavor is actually very reminiscent of slightly sweetened sparkling water with a strange spice note. I'd be very surprised if there was any pumpkin used for this beer. And I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of non-malt fermentables added. And it has a twist-off cap, which, although I don't need to keep bottles anymore, still lowers my opinion of the beer. Not a bad beer, but very little going on here. I'll not be buying anymore of this one this year.
+1 didnt care for that one last year.Dont think Ill even bother. Wish I could get half of what you have there.Pumpkin head-blaaach-slightly better than last year,still colabeer.
Just had the Smashed PUmpkin-have to say I notice more cinnamon and orange mild citrus/tart tones more - Im thinking this would be better paired as suggested on the bottle.Still good but I think Im won over with Pumpking this year.Less graham and more bready/shortbread piecrust creamy.
Thanks again for revewing . Try a smuttynose pumkin if you can,its more of a hoppy one if you dont think thats weird-I think it works.
Just had the Smashed PUmpkin-have to say I notice more cinnamon and orange mild citrus/tart tones more - Im thinking this would be better paired as suggested on the bottle.Still good but I think Im won over with Pumpking this year.Less graham and more bready/shortbread piecrust creamy.
Thanks again for revewing . Try a smuttynose pumkin if you can,its more of a hoppy one if you dont think thats weird-I think it works.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Cottonwood Pumpkin
Poured a brilliant, crystal clear dark yellow with a touch of orange. An aggressive pour produced a two-finger bright white head that fell to a thin cap. Aroma is of powdered ginger and cinnamon creating an aroma that puts me in the mind of chlorophenols, but not quite. There is an underlying caramelly sweetness that comes and goes in the aroma. Upon first tasting it, the first thing I noticed is that it is nicely full in the mouthfeel. Starts slightly sweet with a touch of an interesting, slight tang, that transitions into a full, thick finish with an almost chemically spice character lingering into the aftertaste. Carbonation is moderate and lends a slight carbonic bite to the finish. Overall, not a bad beer, but nothing special either. The spices come off a little chemically, which combined with the slightly carbonic finish, detracts from my enjoyment of the beer. I was pleasantly surprised by the thick mouthfeel, though. Worth trying, but only buy one.
Poured a brilliant, crystal clear dark yellow with a touch of orange. An aggressive pour produced a two-finger bright white head that fell to a thin cap. Aroma is of powdered ginger and cinnamon creating an aroma that puts me in the mind of chlorophenols, but not quite. There is an underlying caramelly sweetness that comes and goes in the aroma. Upon first tasting it, the first thing I noticed is that it is nicely full in the mouthfeel. Starts slightly sweet with a touch of an interesting, slight tang, that transitions into a full, thick finish with an almost chemically spice character lingering into the aftertaste. Carbonation is moderate and lends a slight carbonic bite to the finish. Overall, not a bad beer, but nothing special either. The spices come off a little chemically, which combined with the slightly carbonic finish, detracts from my enjoyment of the beer. I was pleasantly surprised by the thick mouthfeel, though. Worth trying, but only buy one.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
I think I'll put this year's lakefront pumpkin lager on schedule for tonight's tasting. Stay tuned!
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Lakefront Brewery's Pumpkin Lager
This one pours a beautiful bright orange. Crystal clear in the glass and a fast-dissipating one-finger head. Aroma is nice and of clean sweet malt supported by background notes of spice. I'm really enjoying the flavor. Sweet malt upfront with toasty undertones. Very smooth with very little bitterness. Nice clean finish thats fairly sweet. The carbonation is spot on and really supports the beers flavor. The spices (I'm getting cinnamon and ginger) are nicely subtle, but well balanced with the beer. Moderate to full body is enjoyable. Overall, a really nice, well made beer. I'm not pulling a lot of pumpkin flavor out, but the spices are well done. I recommend trying this one if you can get it.
This one pours a beautiful bright orange. Crystal clear in the glass and a fast-dissipating one-finger head. Aroma is nice and of clean sweet malt supported by background notes of spice. I'm really enjoying the flavor. Sweet malt upfront with toasty undertones. Very smooth with very little bitterness. Nice clean finish thats fairly sweet. The carbonation is spot on and really supports the beers flavor. The spices (I'm getting cinnamon and ginger) are nicely subtle, but well balanced with the beer. Moderate to full body is enjoyable. Overall, a really nice, well made beer. I'm not pulling a lot of pumpkin flavor out, but the spices are well done. I recommend trying this one if you can get it.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Bad day... Time for a beer.
Harpoon's Pumpkin UFO (Unfiltered Offering)
Poured a slightly hazy deep gold. Small head quickly dissipated like that of soda. I think the second pour is going to be a little more cloudy. The beer has very little aroma. A little spice, a little malt, maybe even a bit of tart cherry? Swirling it around a bit to kick out some aroma persuaded a strange tart, somewhat savory note to appear. Just took a sip. That savory note is present in the flavor as well. Very unusual and it's hard for me to place. Very "rounded" flavors in here and a fullness of body. Malty, but not very sweet. Moderately low bitterness. I think the savory character is maybe that of a pumpkin that started to go a bit soft. Maybe some toasted pumpkin seeds in there too? And biscuit malt. Have I mentioned before that I loathe biscuit malt? Finish is smooth with a touch of sweetness. A bit of bitterness lingers on the palate mixing with very subtle spicing. I took my dog out to use the bathroom halfway though this review and upon coming back in the savory/spoiled aroma had filled the glass and I got a nice big whiff of it. This is a very unique beer. It has flavors I've never experienced in a beer before, and it may be worth trying just to experience something new. I can't say I completely enjoyed the experience though. It's not that the beer is unpleasant, just that the moldy pumpkin kind of vibe I'm getting from it is drawing all of my attention and leaving little room for me to try to pull out what else is in this beer. I'm sure some of you would go bananas for it though. Just poured the rest of the beer in and it was much cloudier. This pour has a lot of that sour hard-to-describe aroma. I think the beer is a little oxidized and I think there has been some autolysis of the bottled yeast as well. Anyway, it's definitely different from the other pumpkin beers I've had.
Harpoon's Pumpkin UFO (Unfiltered Offering)
Poured a slightly hazy deep gold. Small head quickly dissipated like that of soda. I think the second pour is going to be a little more cloudy. The beer has very little aroma. A little spice, a little malt, maybe even a bit of tart cherry? Swirling it around a bit to kick out some aroma persuaded a strange tart, somewhat savory note to appear. Just took a sip. That savory note is present in the flavor as well. Very unusual and it's hard for me to place. Very "rounded" flavors in here and a fullness of body. Malty, but not very sweet. Moderately low bitterness. I think the savory character is maybe that of a pumpkin that started to go a bit soft. Maybe some toasted pumpkin seeds in there too? And biscuit malt. Have I mentioned before that I loathe biscuit malt? Finish is smooth with a touch of sweetness. A bit of bitterness lingers on the palate mixing with very subtle spicing. I took my dog out to use the bathroom halfway though this review and upon coming back in the savory/spoiled aroma had filled the glass and I got a nice big whiff of it. This is a very unique beer. It has flavors I've never experienced in a beer before, and it may be worth trying just to experience something new. I can't say I completely enjoyed the experience though. It's not that the beer is unpleasant, just that the moldy pumpkin kind of vibe I'm getting from it is drawing all of my attention and leaving little room for me to try to pull out what else is in this beer. I'm sure some of you would go bananas for it though. Just poured the rest of the beer in and it was much cloudier. This pour has a lot of that sour hard-to-describe aroma. I think the beer is a little oxidized and I think there has been some autolysis of the bottled yeast as well. Anyway, it's definitely different from the other pumpkin beers I've had.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Shipyard Brewing Company's Pumpkinhead
Twist-off cap.
But pours a brilliant gold, much lighter than many other pumpkin ales. A foamy white head quickly dissipated. Aroma contains lots of cinnamon, and sweet, bready malt. There even seems to be a touch of spicy hops in the nose. Getting right into a sip here and it is really nice. Starts sweet with clean malt and that cinnamon again. I get a spiciness on the side of the tongue along with a bit of bitterness mid-palate that is followed by a drying, toasty finish. Mouthfeel and carbonation are both moderate. They really went heavy with the cinnamon on this one, but it's not over-the-top. It's combining with something in the beer to give a slight lemon flavor in addition to the plain powdered cinnamon flavor everyone is familiar with. This one's not a bad beer at all, with nice malt flavors and a unique spicing. I recommend trying one if you can get it.
Twist-off cap.
But pours a brilliant gold, much lighter than many other pumpkin ales. A foamy white head quickly dissipated. Aroma contains lots of cinnamon, and sweet, bready malt. There even seems to be a touch of spicy hops in the nose. Getting right into a sip here and it is really nice. Starts sweet with clean malt and that cinnamon again. I get a spiciness on the side of the tongue along with a bit of bitterness mid-palate that is followed by a drying, toasty finish. Mouthfeel and carbonation are both moderate. They really went heavy with the cinnamon on this one, but it's not over-the-top. It's combining with something in the beer to give a slight lemon flavor in addition to the plain powdered cinnamon flavor everyone is familiar with. This one's not a bad beer at all, with nice malt flavors and a unique spicing. I recommend trying one if you can get it.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
I had some Pumking on tap tonight. Spicier than last years, I think. More gingerbread than capn' crunch this year. Still pretty damn good.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
By the way, I'm impressed with the iphone 5 camera!
Awesome thread! Adding my 2c as well.
Did a pumpkin beer tasting last Saturday (bottle only - no draft) and ended up with a wall of shame. Most of the beers were thin, had watered down spice flavors. The Post Road and saranac were particularly unappealing.
Other interesting notes
- small patch pumpkin had a distinct smell of terryaki sauce and the taste faint taste of black malt)
- shipyard pumpkinhead has a nice smell of spicy honey, but tastes like hard cider gone slightly off. Tough to describe, but you'd know it if you've had it.
- Saranac's offering has an acidic nose that is slightly akin to vomit. It doesn't taste like vomit (thankfully) but it's not good, either.
- ichabod pumpkin smelled a little like the seafood section of my favorite Asian grocery store. Had a weird maltiness that I couldn't place, along with a lack of body.
- wolavers tasted like someone boiled cinnamon, and then diluted it with more water. I rated it a 2 when I drank it, because it wasn't undrinkable.
- Post road had a faint nose of pumpkin and spice, but the body was incredibly tannic and astringent. This won the award for worst pumpkin beer, and it's traditionally one of the least drinkable pumpkin beers of the season.
I did notice untapped has people rating these beers much higher on draft in their local markets. The cynic in me says that brewers are taking advantage of a seasonal "fad" and putting out a sub par product. However, the ratings seem to indicate shelf stability problems.
The saving grace ...
Dogfish was definitely the best of this group. I didn't love it, but I may have been burnt out on the odd flavors. It had a nice spicy nose, and the pumpkin spice came through well in the flavor. Was still a little light on the malt - too bland behind the spice for my taste. Supposedly it is far better on draft.
Overall the 2012 King is Pumpking. Had it twice this year an I couldn't get my nose out of the glass. Awesome.
Did a pumpkin beer tasting last Saturday (bottle only - no draft) and ended up with a wall of shame. Most of the beers were thin, had watered down spice flavors. The Post Road and saranac were particularly unappealing.
Other interesting notes
- small patch pumpkin had a distinct smell of terryaki sauce and the taste faint taste of black malt)
- shipyard pumpkinhead has a nice smell of spicy honey, but tastes like hard cider gone slightly off. Tough to describe, but you'd know it if you've had it.
- Saranac's offering has an acidic nose that is slightly akin to vomit. It doesn't taste like vomit (thankfully) but it's not good, either.
- ichabod pumpkin smelled a little like the seafood section of my favorite Asian grocery store. Had a weird maltiness that I couldn't place, along with a lack of body.
- wolavers tasted like someone boiled cinnamon, and then diluted it with more water. I rated it a 2 when I drank it, because it wasn't undrinkable.
- Post road had a faint nose of pumpkin and spice, but the body was incredibly tannic and astringent. This won the award for worst pumpkin beer, and it's traditionally one of the least drinkable pumpkin beers of the season.
I did notice untapped has people rating these beers much higher on draft in their local markets. The cynic in me says that brewers are taking advantage of a seasonal "fad" and putting out a sub par product. However, the ratings seem to indicate shelf stability problems.
The saving grace ...
Dogfish was definitely the best of this group. I didn't love it, but I may have been burnt out on the odd flavors. It had a nice spicy nose, and the pumpkin spice came through well in the flavor. Was still a little light on the malt - too bland behind the spice for my taste. Supposedly it is far better on draft.
Overall the 2012 King is Pumpking. Had it twice this year an I couldn't get my nose out of the glass. Awesome.
mikeyr4444
Member
Same story for me this year, but both the Weyerbacher and Southern Tier improved from last year. Also noticed MUCH more availability.
I see Fegley's Devious Pumpkin missing from your list, while not hitting my top 3 it's still good. Let me know if you'd be interested in a bottle.
Brewguyver, from your description of the punk and crowning of the pumpking, I'd recommend trying the weyerbacher, I switch between the imperial and king throughout the season and never get tired of either.
I see Fegley's Devious Pumpkin missing from your list, while not hitting my top 3 it's still good. Let me know if you'd be interested in a bottle.
Brewguyver, from your description of the punk and crowning of the pumpking, I'd recommend trying the weyerbacher, I switch between the imperial and king throughout the season and never get tired of either.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
Poured a nice light orange, brilliantly clear, with a one finger, soapy head. Slightly estery nose with some spiciness from (I think) allspice. Wow, very rich and sweet flavor, more than I was expecting. It seems very different than last years from what I can remember. Starts caramelly-sweet with maybe a hint of pumpkin flavor. Some slight bitterness and tingly spices then come in before finishing slightly sweet. The spices come back around after a few seconds in the aftertaste. Moderate carbonation and thick body. I'm really liking this beer, more than I remember liking it last year. Lots of flavor in there. This is a thick, rich and sweet beer, but it doesn't come across as cloying. As it warms I'm even getting some pie crusty toastiness in the finish. Definitely give this one a try this year!
Poured a nice light orange, brilliantly clear, with a one finger, soapy head. Slightly estery nose with some spiciness from (I think) allspice. Wow, very rich and sweet flavor, more than I was expecting. It seems very different than last years from what I can remember. Starts caramelly-sweet with maybe a hint of pumpkin flavor. Some slight bitterness and tingly spices then come in before finishing slightly sweet. The spices come back around after a few seconds in the aftertaste. Moderate carbonation and thick body. I'm really liking this beer, more than I remember liking it last year. Lots of flavor in there. This is a thick, rich and sweet beer, but it doesn't come across as cloying. As it warms I'm even getting some pie crusty toastiness in the finish. Definitely give this one a try this year!
Drinking Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale now.
It pours a dark apple juice color with a thick off-white head that thins fast. Light lacing.
The aroma isn't much, a little cardboard, but it doesn't transfer to the taste, at all.
The flavor is very pumpkin pie. Very pumpkin too. The hops taste is most noticeable at the end. I like it.
Drank Shiner Oktoberfest last night. It's not a pumpkin beer.
It pours a similar dark apple juice color. Thin head that fades fast and leaves behind only the lightest lacing.
Not much aroma.
It has a sharp hoppy and sweet malty flavor at the same time. Hints of caramel too. Another good Shiner.
It pours a dark apple juice color with a thick off-white head that thins fast. Light lacing.
The aroma isn't much, a little cardboard, but it doesn't transfer to the taste, at all.
The flavor is very pumpkin pie. Very pumpkin too. The hops taste is most noticeable at the end. I like it.
Drank Shiner Oktoberfest last night. It's not a pumpkin beer.
It pours a similar dark apple juice color. Thin head that fades fast and leaves behind only the lightest lacing.
Not much aroma.
It has a sharp hoppy and sweet malty flavor at the same time. Hints of caramel too. Another good Shiner.
Schlafly is not too bad.I was hyped about it from last year which I heard was great but never tried,but I was disapointed as it seems some people that like it ,are this year disapointed as well .Its good but I think it was a bit sweet and cloying. Maybe heavy on the cinnamon and clove as well.Not shure if I already mentioned it but ,Big red gum is what it really remindes me of alot. Bought two sixers which I kinda regretted.One sixer would be Ok but really I could have been ok with 2 or 3 and done. I can appreciate its warming fall qualities though.Great appearance and aroma as well.
Paymygasbill77
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 193
- Reaction score
- 6
Pumpking has always been my favorite. Every year they release the occasional keg of oak aged pumpking. I have driven 40 miles for a couple pints of it.
BargainMugs
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
- Messages
- 361
- Reaction score
- 12
I really really really really really want Southern Tier to bottle oaked aged Pumking as they did with the oak aged Unearthly.
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
I picked up 5 more pumpkin beers today! Finally got my hands on some Pumking bottles. I also discovered that my bottle shop has expanded their british beer selection so I'm enjoying a Timothy Taylor Landlord at the moment! I didn't realize it was being imported.
JordanThomas
Well-Known Member
I want to try the shipyard pumpkin but refuse to pony up $15 for one...
OP
OP
KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
Hmm, I don't think I payed that much, but I can't be certain. I wasn't crazy about it last year so here's to hoping this years is better!
