Pumpkin Ale
Horseheads Brewing Inc.

Pumpkin AlePumpkin Ale
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From:
Horseheads Brewing Inc.
 
New York, United States
Style:
Pumpkin Beer
ABV:
6.6%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.21 | pDev: 11.64%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
151
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 10, 2021
Added:
Sep 17, 2008
Wants:
  59
Gots:
  20
Tempting tastes play seek and hide,
off the trail that's true and tried.
Aromas dance as spirits guide,
down the path the pumpkins ride.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by animalchin:
Photo of animalchin
Reviewed by animalchin from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - A dark burnt orange body with a surprisingly good head for a pumpkin beer. Spotty and thin lacing with spore-like foam clusters freckling the surface.

S - Very sweet aromas with all of the autumn dessert fixings to go along - brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and of course a very distinct pumpkin smell.

T - All sorts of fall sweetness, with the majority being brown sugar, but the pumpkin certainly is a very apparent presence. This is one of only two pumpkin ales I've had that are this sweet overall, while others rely on hops. A sticky maltiness also exists in this beer that goes along to assist the sweetness that makes up the overall presentation.

M - A medium slick body with some dense carbonation. Pretty standard.

O - I'm surprised this hasn't turned more heads of pumpkin heads. Just as adventurous as Southern Tier Pumking, and a little more relfective of pumpkin taste. Certaintly a great beer from a brewery that unfortunately is not widely distributed. Worth the search and try.
Oct 23, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.37 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jun 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.21 by GaryM6 from New York

Jan 28, 2021
 
Rated: 4.03 by generallee from Virginia

Oct 17, 2018
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a becher pint glass.
The appearance was a deep burnt orange to copper color with a sly finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off fairly nice to leave some sporadic lace sliding with the sips.
The aroma speckled the blend with nuances of allspice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and then it comes - the pumpkin. It's there and somewhat "baked."
The flavor mildly blends the spices to the pumpkin sweetness then leads into a mellow aftetaste of pumpkin, and spices.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Spices seem to hide a bit more in this department of not being distracting. ABV and carbonation felt good. Mild finish of pumpkin and spices.
Overall, this beer does what many pumpkin ales wish they could do - the balance of it all - the spices in the aroma and flavor without having the normal harsh distractibility many pumpkin ales often have. Well, damn! Wish I lived in the distro of this beer, you bet your bottom dollar I'd want this again!
Sep 13, 2018
 
Rated: 4.13 by brewingchamps from Florida

May 01, 2018
 
Rated: 4.32 by Kelleycs from New York

Oct 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Mikexw from New York

Nov 11, 2016
Photo of Lembeh
Reviewed by Lembeh from New York

4.66/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Got this off a trade and didn't know what to think of the 22oz bottle when I saw the amateurish and frankly cheap looking design and label. But then you pop the cap and boom.

Deep copper color with a 2 finger head. On the nose tons of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and pumpkin. Like the best pumpkin pie you've ever had. The taste follows the nose like a pumpkin pie in a glass. Mouthfeel is okay but not spectacular, it's more than sufficient though. Overall this pumpkin ale hits it out of the park for me. Will get this again next season for sure.
Nov 05, 2016
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Rated by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

2.85/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Regrettably brief impression from a bottle.

A bright spice profile sets off this pleasant ale, but it's generic across the board.

C / AVERAGE
Nov 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.16 by paulytasker from New York

Oct 29, 2016
Photo of logicalparadox
Reviewed by logicalparadox from New York

4.44/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A phenomenal pumpkin ale.

Pours a suitably orange hued, slightly hazy with a white thick foamy head of two to three fingers that lasts.

Smells of caramelized roasted squash, pumpkin pie spice and some vegetal notes.

Flavors start with spices, clove, cinnamon, and allspice mild sweetness and a pronounced roasty pumpkin. The pumpkin is mildly green with some distinct pumpkin notes.

Mouth feel is sift, creamy, but toothy.

A fantastic pumpkin. Straight up pumpkin pie, without being too spice forward. A pumking killer!
Sep 05, 2016
Photo of TomBrownJr
Reviewed by TomBrownJr from New York

4.98/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
I have tried multiple versions of the HHDs Pumpkin Ale since they first rolled it out, and they finally have it near perfect (I am not sure what perfect would be, but I love this version of Pumpkin Ale). The scent is stronger than subtle and definitely adds to the taste. Of all the different pumpkin beers I have tasted (over 30), this is the best of the crop.
Jun 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Apr 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by jenrhart from Minnesota

Apr 09, 2016
Photo of tcwestcott
Rated by tcwestcott from New York

5/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Simply the best pumpkin flavored beer I have ever tasted. It has the perfect beer to pumpkin taste ratio.
Feb 07, 2016
 
Rated: 3.78 by papposilenus from New Hampshire

Dec 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.27 by 5EKF from Illinois

Dec 22, 2015
Photo of Back_in_the_Saddle
Reviewed by Back_in_the_Saddle from Vermont

4.09/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a pint glass.
The appearance was a transparent orange color with a one finger white foamy head that dissipated at a nice pace. Light lingering lacing trickles down the side of the glass.
The smell had some sweet pumpkin flesh with a lightly pronounced spice of ginger, cinnamon and allspice.
Light toasty to caramel malts balance in underneath.
The taste balances nicely between the sweetness of the pumpkin and the breadiness to the spices. A semi-sweet and dry aftertaste runs into the finish.
The mouthfeel was about a light to medium in body with a semi-creamy sessionable feel to it. Carbonation feels spot on for the style and for me.
Overall, this was a really nice pumpkin ale that I would have again.
Nov 22, 2015
Photo of DavoleBomb
Reviewed by DavoleBomb from Pennsylvania

3.77/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bomber poured into a pint glass.

3.5 A: Nearly clear light orange color. One and a half fingers of frothy off-white head. Retention is about average and a short ring of lacing is left.

4.0 S: Smells great! The big appeal is the pumpkin itself. Too many pumpkin beers rely too heavily on the spices. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and maybe a touch of allspice. A touch of toastiness with a caramel backbone. Has just enough sweetness to make me happy.

3.75 T: Like the nose, the pumpkin is the star here. Same mix of spices as above. Malts offer light caramel and toastiness. The only issue I have is that it's a bit too dry. Still, it's very good.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Could use some more body and creaminess.

3.75 D: It's rare to find a good pumpkin beer, so I'm quite happy.
Nov 17, 2015
Pumpkin Ale from Horseheads Brewing Inc.
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 151 ratings