Max Pumpkin Wit
Max Lager's Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery

On-tap at the brewpub.

Pours a clear copper-brown color with a half-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving sporadic lacing.

Smells of loads of spices with good amounts of spices. Backing everything up are indistinct sweet malt flavors. The spices consist mostly of brown sugar with mild amounts of nutmeg and even milder amounts of cinnamon.

Tastes good. Sweet medium malt flavors kick things off and are joined almost immediately by the spices listed above found in the aroma. Slightly heavier pumpkin flavors make an appearance shortly thereafter. Midway through the sip very slight hints of wheat twang come into play before fading out into a crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without any problems and could have another.

Overall I was somewhat impressed with this beer, a style which I'd never seen before. It certainly is skewed more toward pumpkin than wit but it's an interesting juxtaposition and is worth a shot.

Appearance: Near clear, dark copper body with a thin, white head that disappears rather abruptly.

Smell: Very heady, fragrant spice character. Why, it's like sniffing a fresh potpourri mixture bubbling away on the stove top. Any notes of pumpkin, malts, and what-have-you are all secondary to the spices.

Taste: Bready maltiness alongside sweet touches of candi sugar start, though, nearly instantaneously, the spice character grabs you and doesn't let up -- tastes of the added coriander, ginger, clove, and cinnamon are all quite bold. Sure, there's the pumpkin flavor, but it's the spice blend that really dominates each and every sip. Not much hop character and bitterness, but, with the assertive spices, there's really no need or even room for it. Finishes rather spicy.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Lightly carbonated.

Drinkability: Glass after glass, the beers at Max Lagers are all so very lacking in carbonation. At this point, I assume it's some sort of issue with the serving equipment, but it's still a bummer. As for the idea of a pumpkin witbier, I approve! The spices are just a hair too sharp for even me, and, if brewed again, I'd prefer to see it dialed back somewhat. Otherwise, it's nice to see some new life breathed into a style you see little innovation in and sometimes even a sad, total lack of even pumpkins.