Pumpkin Ale Throwdown

[KingBrianI]

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

This beer poured a really nice deep orange/copper. It shines in the light like a new penny. Very little head, despite a vigorous pour. Aroma is slightly vegetal or compost heapy. Some spice coming through as well along with a lot of munich malt-type sweetness on the nose. There's a slight toastiness and I'm occasionally getting a brief whiff of vanilla. My first sip was like "wow, oh.." Like good, then bad. It started with a lot of potential, malt, vanilla, light spices, but almost immediately went slightly sour and thin. Subsequent sips are better, never quite seeming as tart and thin as that first sip. The finish is almost watery, though. The sourness is similar to that of that sparkling mineral water German's love so much. (That stuff still tastes like crap even after degassing, as I discovered on one of my first business trips to Germany. There's nothing worse than being hungover, in a meeting, and the only water available tastes like carbonated PBW.) There's a smooth maltiness mid-palate, and that's where the vanilla hits as well, but these nice flavors are flanked by that tart, mineral character. So overall, not a terrible beer. I just wish the malt would follow through and not end in a bubbly, watery mess on the sides of the tongue. Never having been a big fan of Saranac, I can't say I'm surprised. I'm guessing there are a lot of non-malt adjuncts in here, along with some spices and vanilla extract.

 

[KingBrianI]

Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale

This one looks a bit different. Really nice dark mahogany color, bordering on ruby, with a creamy, tight head. Very attractive looking. First aroma I pulled out was a dry grainy kind of thing, but it turned into sweet brown sugar and strong spices almost immediately. Lots of cinnamon and ginger in the spice character. I'm smelling medium-color malts too - munich, medium crystals, etc. Also hints of chocolate milk powder just above threshold. Flavor is rich, but dryish. There's an almost savory, meaty character to the beer. There isn't as much malt flavor as you would think from looking at it. For some reason, I've got a feeling some melanoidin malt was used in this beer. The spicing only shows up right in the finish, and pretty lightly. Body is moderate. This is definitely an interesting beer. Moderate body but pretty dry, somewhat savory, little malt flavor outside of the meaty mushroom thing and a little Quik powder without the sweetness. I'm actually a little perplexed by it. Maybe give it a try? If you're into something different for a change? I'm going to go try to get unconfused by drinking lots of beer now...

EDIT: As it warms I'm getting a lot of pumpkin flavor. It's presenting as a slightly tart, pumpkin juice kind of flavor.

 

[Gixxer]

Are you looking to try Avery Rumpkin?

 

[KingBrianI]

Are you looking to try Avery Rumpkin?

Definitely, if I could find it. I've not ever seen it around here though. Looks like a crazy beer.

 

[Gixxer]

Yup, I too have been looking for it. I honestly might just call Colorado and ask them if any has been shipped yet, and where.

---EDIT--- It has been released on 29 September. Guess I could call the local beverage warehouse to see if they have it yet.

 

[jonmohno]

+1.Must have this. ! Im pretty much a anything Avery fan.

 

[Aschecte]

I know we are talking about commercial pumpkin ales but bottom line is Samhain pumpkin ale from kjngbrian1 right here on hbt is by far better than most commercial recipes IMHO. I know a lot if people who have tried this and would also agree.

 

[KingBrianI]

Well thanks! I'd have to agree, actually. I'm actually planning on doing a review of my Samhain in this thread in the next week or so. I made it a little stronger than normal this year, and it's really nice.

 

[KingBrianI]

Big Boss Brewing Company's Harvest Time

This used to be a pumpkin beer but I'm not sure if it still is. The label just claims "ale brewed with spices" so maybe there's no pumpkin anymore.

Anyway, onto the review. It poured a clear orange-amber with a small coarse head that died down very quickly. Spices dominate the nose with a background earthy something (pumpkin maybe?) and some malt sweetness. I'm almost getting a thick, round vanilla in there too. Flavor is really nice. Starts slightly sweet with nice round malts, and you notice a really nice, round mouthfeel. Then it dries out and there's a really nice toasted malt kind of flavor. Some moderate carbonation in the finish and very low bitterness. The spices dance around in the aftertaste a little. There's a very slight tartness in the flavor I was also picking up in the aroma that I associate with beers actually made with pumpkin, so maybe they still are using it in here. I'm getting more vanilla now in the finish that seems to help round out the mouthfeel even more. As it warms the finish is turning slightly metallic.

Overall, a pretty nice beer. Nice, subtle spicing, great mouthfeel, multi-dimensional malt character and the impression of real pumpkin being used in amounts high enough to actually taste (unlike breweries who add a minuscule amount just so they can say "brewed with pumpkin"). Pick this one up and give it a try if you can find it. It's a local brewery and I'm not sure how far they distribute.

 

[KingBrianI]

Whew! Rough day so it's Pumking Time!

Southern Tier's Imperial Pumking

Pumking pours a clear, deep gold with orange hues. A creamy head quickly dissipated to a thin cap on the beer. Aroma is great. You guys know about this beer by now. Strong aroma of buttery crust dominates. Gingerbread and a little fruit (strawberry?) are also present. Flavor is great too. This beer isn't as sweet as everyone says it is. It's very low in bitterness, which is probably why people say that. You do get a strong impression of sweet confections, though. Butterscotch candies, shortcake and butter cookies are all in there. It finishes somewhat fruity, though I'm having trouble picking what fruit it tastes like. I still feel like this beer is subtly spiced, though lots of people say they think it is overspiced. The spices are only coming through gently for me in the warm, tingly finish where it seems like ginger is the dominant contributer. Surprisingly, I'm finding the beer a bit more difficult to drink than in past years. I don't know if that's due to the beer changing, or my current mood. I'm also being reminded of a couple of my attempts at gruits in some way. Probably due to the extremely low bitterness. That lack of bitterness might be what's causing me to become fatigued in drinking it and could be why there is a large contingent that can't drink this beer. I'm a bit less infatuated with this beer than in past years, possibly because I have been drinking a lot of my Imperial Samhain Ale lately, which largely outclasses this beer. That's not to say Pumking is a bad beer -- it's probably my favorite commercial pumpkin beer I've had this year. But that artificial butter cookie flavor is so strong, and the bitterness so low, that it can be difficult to drink a whole bottle. So grab a friend, and a bottle of this beer, and see if you agree.

 

[Aschecte]

King brian do you like pumpkin beers ? Just asking you haven't really reviewed any for us LOL Where is Samhain ??? Last dibs or I'm going to review it.

 

[KingBrianI]

King brian do you like pumpkin beers ? Just asking you haven't really reviewed any for us LOL Where is Samhain ??? Last dibs or I'm going to review it.

Haha, feel free to review it. I was waiting until after I reviewed Pumking so I could have a good comparison. I didn't want to review both in one night though. It would be great if anyone else added reviews to the thread, including you doing Samhain. I'll probably get to it in the next couple of days.

 

[bose301s]

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.

I will disagree with you on this one, by far my favorite pumpkin beer over 2 years of trying them. Up to ~30 different ones me and my fiance have now sampled and it is both of our favorite one.

I had some Pumking on tap tonight. Spicier than last years, I think. More gingerbread than capn' crunch this year. Still pretty damn good.

Look's like Tyler's Taproom in Durham by DBAP. They had the Pumpking as their Pint Night special in Carrboro last week but we never went, bought a 22oz insread.

 

[Aschecte]

Ok here it is my review of Samhain Pumpkin ale the King of all pumpkin ales on this thread. KingBrianI right here from HBT also happens to be the brewmeister of this recipe and deserves all credit for this amazing seasonal yet should be year round treat. This of all the homebrews I do each year falls into the category of tradition it is the only beer I brew with my family and just like making a pumpkin pie, carving a pumkin, or taking the boy out trick or treating it has become something we all look foward to doing as a family each fall. This beer also happens to be amazing. Without further ado here is my review of Samhain Pumpkin Ale.



A- Dark with ruby highlights and fair clarity, off white tanish fluffy head with a 2 finger depth that holds on for what seems like forever but when fading leaves a copious amount of thick lacing along the glass walls.

S- If you can imagine the smell of pumpkin pie this is it but with a cookie like malty backbone. Aroma's of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove all intermingle with the perfect balance of pumpkin and a malty quality that is accentuated by the toasted maris otter that gives it a baked cookie like quality that is unique and perfect for this style.

T- The taste follows very closely to the aroma produced. The balance of this beer is what sets it apart from other beers of this style not overwhelming in any of it's individual aspects but by no means underhelming either. The first taste is the spices which may as well be pumpkin pie but quickly gives way to the pumpkin and malt which are blended perfectly.

M- The mouthfell is medium-full and is due to a strong malt back bone of Golden promise, maris otter, wheat amoung other grains. The carbonation is pretty solid as well though as homebrewers we have ability to make this of our liking I choose to go with about 2.5 volumes of co2 and find it to be a perfect balance of carbonation.

O- Each year I go to alot of fall parties and each year pumpkin ales seem to be a love hate topic either falling short from too much pumpkin or too much spice or conversly not enough of either and is a pumokin ale by label ony. I also happen to be the President of one of the largest homebrew clubs in the Hudson Valley of New york and since I have introduced this to other home brewers I have got nothing but perfect reviews and compliments of this Pumpkin Ale. I have also made this my family's Thanksgiving day drink of choice. With a perfect balance of spice, pumkin, and malt I strongly reccomend everyone to brew this fabuous recipe. If you like pumpkin ales you will not be dissapointed in this beer and I'm sure you will agree this is by far the King of Pumkin ales.

 

[KingBrianI]

Wow, thanks for the review! I'll be embarassed of my attempt to review it now, since it will be nowhere near as descriptive as your review! I'm glad you like it so much.

 

[brew2enjoy]

I tried Pumking a few weeks ago after hearing lots of good things. I have to be honest, at first I thought it was pretty good because it tasted exactly like pumpkin pie. I couldn't even finish the bottle though. It is overly sweet and loaded with diacetyl. Just thinking about it now makes me want to hurl!

 

[KingBrianI]

Shipyard Brewing Company's Smashed Pumpkin

Pours a hazy, light-orange with a thin, white head. Belgian-y esters (?), sourish oaky smells, and light spices on the nose. I'm also getting something kind of citric as well as a light, creamy malt sweetness in the aroma. Lots of ginger explodes on the palate on the first sip. It's joined with some sweetness from the malt and an orange juice flavor. A good amount of cinnamon sugar-dusted toast as well. Finish is long and slightly tart. The lingering flavor of ginger continues from the back of the tongue and into the throat. I think I said this last year as well, but the ginger flavor is definitely from powdered ginger, which tastes different than fresh ginger. Nice full mouthfeel and moderate-low carbonation. I don't think it's spiced to the level of last year's, though I can't be sure (it HAS been a year, afterall). It's a decent beer, though I wish the powdered ginger was taken back another notch or two. It overpowers everything else and washes out most of the malt flavor. If I'm honest, this tastes more like orange juice mixed with a lot of powdered ginger than it does beer to me. The 9% ABV is well-hidden. Not much else to say. Still have half the bottle to work through.

 

[jonmohno]

+1, I think the orange is from maybe hops(?). I was considering aging one to see if it gets better, I really think that will tone down with age.Yet I hope I get around to taking it out of the fridge and dont drink it before I do age it. I may just have to buy another one. Pumpking is king so far for me, although Ive been still limited and havent tried some of the great ones unavailable to me, but Im about to try a Lakefront Pumpkin Lager soon. St.Ambroise pumpkin ale is pretty high up there in my opinion as well.

 

[adamjackson]

Favorites in order are Pumking, Punkin and Smashed Pumpkin.