Twisted Gourd
South Street Brewery

Twisted GourdTwisted Gourd
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From:
South Street Brewery
 
Virginia, United States
Style:
Pumpkin Beer
ABV:
8.37%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.8 | pDev: 11.84%
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
43
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 09, 2020
Added:
Aug 31, 2015
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  13
The year before the Civil War struck the Commonwealth, a pumpkin blight affected crops throughout Central Virginia, turning the affected gourds into "the bleached resemblance of twisted skulls", according to historical reference. The rotting pumpkins fermented untouched in the field until devoured by livestock who "roamed the countryside mad with delirium". It was known as the Year of the Twisted Gourd.

Pilsner malt, mild ale malt, Munich 30° L malt, Caramell 60° L malt, chocolate malt
Columbus hops
Lactose sugar, Cacao nibs, Chai spice blend
Scottish Ale yeast
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by cjgiant:
Photo of cjgiant
Reviewed by cjgiant from District of Columbia

3.45/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Bottle enjoy by 12/2015:
Pours a lovely, clear yet somewhat dark for a pumpkin, a ruby/orange color that seems quite fetching, actually. Head didn't build up greatly one lighter pour, but carbonation is evident with a little agitation.

Initial smell seemed a tad heavy on pumpkin and chai spice, but subsequent sniffs have the spice subdued. There's actually a hint of rotting pumpkin that combines oddly with the chai spice. Odd notes of chocolate orange, also.

The taste, unfortunately, is what falls flat. There is a combination of an amber ale, an herbal/woody hop bitterness, and the chai spices that doesn't quite come together. Pumpkin spice mix might combine with the chai, but the latter is more prevalent to me. That body is medium and carbonation is on point.

Just too weird a flavor on top of a take on a style that rarely works for me - hoppy amber. Wanted more out of this one.
Nov 11, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.72 by beerrat from Virginia

Dec 09, 2020
 
Rated: 3.87 by jak from North Carolina

Nov 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by redfox405 from Virginia

Oct 05, 2020
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

4.21/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Aged 12 oz bottle served in a Belgian snifter.
Some foam slowly rose from the bottle upon opening so it was no surprise that a relatively tall head formed at the pour and that the carbonation level seems a bit higher than optimal. I was pleasantly surprised by the very good retention and by the complete coat of attractive beige foam on the glass after tipping it.
A pleasing blend of spices dominate the aroma and suggest that the flavor may be overly spiced. Tasting, however, reveals a spicy but well balanced mix of 'Fall' and chai spices, baked bread, gourds and yams, and a hint of chocolate. Lightly sweet followed by a bitter - sweet aftertaste that seems just right. Very well hidden ABV.
Aug 14, 2020
 
Rated: 3.84 by generallee from Virginia

Dec 05, 2019
 
Rated: 2.99 by Curt3 from Ohio

Oct 28, 2019
Photo of EnderFett11
Reviewed by EnderFett11 from Virginia

4.39/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured it very cold, but either way very little head. Color is a dark orange/caramel color. Smells a bit like pumpkin. Fairly smooth feel on the mouth. Good taste of pumpkin with some spices. Excellent pumpkin ale example.
Aug 18, 2019
 
Rated: 4.05 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Nov 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by robebo44 from Virginia

Oct 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by AngusOg from North Carolina

Oct 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 03, 2018
Photo of djembeist
Reviewed by djembeist from Virginia

4.84/5  rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Best pumpkin beer I have ever had. Hint of dark chocolate and actual pumpkin...balanced perfectly with chai spices. Beautiful blend. A hint of metal taste, but not bad at all. My favorite beer of 2017 for sure
Dec 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by McBraniel from Virginia

Nov 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4.05 by MidloRapid from Virginia

Oct 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.77 by Boone757 from Virginia

Oct 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3.96 by Jason_cs from Florida

Oct 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.51 by Yeldarb92 from Ohio

Sep 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3.66 by stortore from Illinois

Sep 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3.97 by RBorsato from Virginia

Jan 04, 2017
Twisted Gourd from South Street Brewery
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 43 ratings