O.P.P. (Olde Pumpkin Porter)
Cambridge Brewing Company

 

 

Poured into a tulip, filled to the lip with a very thin head. Very dark, opaque cola color. Minimal head and lacing, even when agitated. Aroma is faint but pleasant, primarily of toasty malts. Secondarily I smell roasting nuts (or maybe pumpkin seeds), and a good deal of rich bourbon and brown butter.

Flavor is surprisingly crisp and dry given the aroma. Served a little too cool, it starts out with a complex, medium-bodied richness that it is quickly brought into check by a subtle tartness. There is a nicely balanced presence from the buttery oak barrel. Finishes drier than I would have expected. As it warms the fermented pumpkin comes out, with an acorn squash earthiness and also some spicy bitterness. The depth of flavor in this beer really opens up as it warms, so take your time with it.

The mouthfeel is a little thinner than I initially expected, but in fact fits nicely with the crisp and dry flavor. The carbonation is very fine, and a bit spritzy. My primary critique of this beer is that I would love a slightly creamier texture. Drinkability is very high with a reasonable 6.8% abv and the dry finish leaving me thirsty after each sip. Practically sessionable.

sampled on tap at cbc oct 16/09.

pours clear deep brown with nice ruby highlights. a thin layer of fine tan head forms, quickly dropping to a ring around the glass. no lace.

aroma is neat. funk and spice. ginger and cinnamon. light alcohol. bit of lemon and malt vinegar. bit of white bread. cracker.

taste is nice. tannic oak. light vanilla. bit of lemon. horse blanket. bit of leather. ginger and cinnamon. bit of coriander and cardamom too. light dark chocolate. light anise.

mouthfeel is good. really dry finish. just a hint of astringency. drying finish from the tannins. medium carbonation level.

drinkability is nice. good balance, hiding its alcohol well. the barrel is a bit overdone to me, but it's still pretty good. i think i liked the idea of this one more than the outcome, but highly spiced beers aren't really my thing.

On tap at the brewpub.

Pours a mostly clear dark ruby red/brown, thin tan head forms, settles down to a thin ring, no real lacing on the glass, nice colour.

Smell is neat, funky and spicy, pumpkin, caramel, pine needles or spruce almost, light chocolate and some light roastiness, a bit of oak character, very light vanilla.

Taste is similar, very funky at first, pumpkin pie, chocolate caramel, brett, ginger and cinnamon, nice spiciness, oak and vanilla, very dry and funky in the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, a pretty cool experiment that I was digging. Theres some different directions this one is going in at the same time but it works.