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Twisted Gourd
South Street Brewery
- From:
- South Street Brewery
- Virginia, United States
- Style:
- Pumpkin Beer
- ABV:
- 8.37%
- Score:
- 86
- Avg:
- 3.8 | pDev: 11.84%
- Reviews:
- 15
- Ratings:
- 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Central Virginia, turning the affected gourds into "the bleached resemblance of twisted skulls", according to historical reference.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
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:
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
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, 2015Pours 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.
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2020Some 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.
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
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, 2019Reviewed by djembeist from Virginia
4.84/5 rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
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
Twisted Gourd from South Street Brewery
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
43 ratings
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