Great Pumpkin Ale
Cambridge Brewing Company
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- From:
- Cambridge Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Pumpkin Beer
Ranked #69 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,295 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 13.08%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 14, 2021
- Added:
- Oct 09, 2002
- Wants:
- 68
- Gots:
- 45
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
New England’s first and CBC’s most sought after seasonal beer, The Great Pumpkin Ale, is back in bottles and on draft! We are very proud to be brewing with locally-grown sugar pumpkins from our friends at The Farm School in Athol, and Wilson Farms in Lexington. We’re also using organic barley that was grown in MA and then small-batch malted by our friends at Valley Malt in Hadley, MA.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.1 by j37geogaddi from Massachusetts on Nov 14, 2021
3.85 by saymike32 from New Jersey on Oct 23, 2021
3.93 by WDJersey from Colorado on Oct 22, 2021
3.68/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by ThrewRedButter from Massachusetts
Look – Hazy copper body with two fingers of fluffy, slightly off-white head
Aroma – Great pop of cinnamon to start followed by pureed pumpkins for days. Good malty presence with even some mossy forest notes too
Taste – Pumpkin bread up front with a sweet malt presence. Faint cinnamon and spices on the back end. Has a lingering sweetness with a relatively clean finish
Mouthfeel – Full enough, but does come up a little thin overall. Low carbonation.
Overall – Pretty standard pumpkin beer, but definitely not bad.
Sep 14, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by ThrewRedButter from Massachusetts
Look – Hazy copper body with two fingers of fluffy, slightly off-white head
Aroma – Great pop of cinnamon to start followed by pureed pumpkins for days. Good malty presence with even some mossy forest notes too
Taste – Pumpkin bread up front with a sweet malt presence. Faint cinnamon and spices on the back end. Has a lingering sweetness with a relatively clean finish
Mouthfeel – Full enough, but does come up a little thin overall. Low carbonation.
Overall – Pretty standard pumpkin beer, but definitely not bad.
Sep 14, 2021
3.69 by buking21 from Massachusetts on Jul 03, 2021
3.75 by Jdells09 from New Jersey on Oct 18, 2020
2.98 by chiefz1 from New York on Oct 16, 2020
3.88 by lost_sailor from Massachusetts on Oct 11, 2020
3.86 by SlainteAlbanyNY from New York on Sep 26, 2020
3.37/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
by CTHomer from Connecticut
A; crystal clear; bronze in color; 1 finger off white head that receded to a wispy cap; OK lacing;
S: not much aroma; nutmeg first, then ginger and cinnamon get added in;
T: cinnamon is predominant from start to finish with ginger and nutmeg in the background; very mild bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation - a little prickly; dry finish;
O: spices seemed out of balance to me;
Apr 22, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
by CTHomer from Connecticut
A; crystal clear; bronze in color; 1 finger off white head that receded to a wispy cap; OK lacing;
S: not much aroma; nutmeg first, then ginger and cinnamon get added in;
T: cinnamon is predominant from start to finish with ginger and nutmeg in the background; very mild bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation - a little prickly; dry finish;
O: spices seemed out of balance to me;
Apr 22, 2020
3.84/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by beerthulhu from New Jersey
A: A dense and lazy rising of micro-effervesce slowly drifts upwards in a darken orange-sun ice tea coloring. A beefy light beige, pie crust colored head, is 3 inches proud and stubborn in nature, it just doesn't want to fall. Solid foam structure leaves a nice marking on the vessel walls, spongy dabs rings makes for a truly outstanding show per style.
S: Good toasted pumpkin is accented by pie spicing with a great marriage between the two. Nutmeg and cinnamon, along with fresh pie crust and a caramel syrup sweetness makes for a good scent. Some pancake malting and an overall solid awareness factor.
T: The spicing hits you upfront, nutmeg and cinnamon brings a sweet twang in abundance, dry, dusty on the tongue. Deep toasted pumpkin compliment the spicing and brings a more natural base to play off of. Sweet toasted caramel grains, dried toffee and munich malts adds a spicy texture. Buttery-vanilla cream has a slight presence along with some chocolate malts.
M: Spicy toasty warmth with a good fullness on the mouthful. Smooth, cinnamon and nutmeg dusting and spiciness on the inner cheeks.
O: Overall seems to be a good blend of pumpkin spices and natural pumpkin aspects, usually the style goes either or. Good balance, very good drink-ability per style.
Feb 19, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by beerthulhu from New Jersey
A: A dense and lazy rising of micro-effervesce slowly drifts upwards in a darken orange-sun ice tea coloring. A beefy light beige, pie crust colored head, is 3 inches proud and stubborn in nature, it just doesn't want to fall. Solid foam structure leaves a nice marking on the vessel walls, spongy dabs rings makes for a truly outstanding show per style.
S: Good toasted pumpkin is accented by pie spicing with a great marriage between the two. Nutmeg and cinnamon, along with fresh pie crust and a caramel syrup sweetness makes for a good scent. Some pancake malting and an overall solid awareness factor.
T: The spicing hits you upfront, nutmeg and cinnamon brings a sweet twang in abundance, dry, dusty on the tongue. Deep toasted pumpkin compliment the spicing and brings a more natural base to play off of. Sweet toasted caramel grains, dried toffee and munich malts adds a spicy texture. Buttery-vanilla cream has a slight presence along with some chocolate malts.
M: Spicy toasty warmth with a good fullness on the mouthful. Smooth, cinnamon and nutmeg dusting and spiciness on the inner cheeks.
O: Overall seems to be a good blend of pumpkin spices and natural pumpkin aspects, usually the style goes either or. Good balance, very good drink-ability per style.
Feb 19, 2020
4.24 by Houlio_99 from Connecticut on Dec 01, 2019
4 by jprudhomme7 from New Hampshire on Oct 24, 2019
4.1/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) bottle into a Captain Lawrence taster pint; bottled on 09/05/2019.
A: Pours a slight hazy copper color with very strong effervescence, a one to two finger, wheat colored head, cap retention, but limited lacing.
S: Tangy/tart with aromas of apple, pumpkin, and caramel with cinnamon and nutmeg notes.
T: More semisweet than semidry. Flavors of caramel, dark bread, pumpkin, and toffee come through with definite cinnamon, clove, honey, and nutmeg notes. Bitterness is light, but imparts a certain sharpness and relatively clean finish.
M: Medium bodied with solid, persistent carbonation.
O: This is a very enjoyable, pumpkin beer. More a beer than an attempt to replicate pumpkin pie (which is appreciated and celebrated).
Sep 30, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) bottle into a Captain Lawrence taster pint; bottled on 09/05/2019.
A: Pours a slight hazy copper color with very strong effervescence, a one to two finger, wheat colored head, cap retention, but limited lacing.
S: Tangy/tart with aromas of apple, pumpkin, and caramel with cinnamon and nutmeg notes.
T: More semisweet than semidry. Flavors of caramel, dark bread, pumpkin, and toffee come through with definite cinnamon, clove, honey, and nutmeg notes. Bitterness is light, but imparts a certain sharpness and relatively clean finish.
M: Medium bodied with solid, persistent carbonation.
O: This is a very enjoyable, pumpkin beer. More a beer than an attempt to replicate pumpkin pie (which is appreciated and celebrated).
Sep 30, 2019
3.87 by PaleAleWalt from New York on Sep 28, 2019
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from a 16 oz can dated 9/5/19 into the test glass.
A - Tawny copper color, solid carbonation supports an off white frothy cap'
S - Nice blend of spices, roast pumpkin, roast malts, brown sugar
T - Follows the nose well, add in some hints of raisin, earthy hops.
M - Medium in body, sweet start, stays the entire experience. Finishing on the dry side is a good touch
O - very ggod pumpkin beer, balanced spice and pumpkin keep this a winner
Sep 24, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from a 16 oz can dated 9/5/19 into the test glass.
A - Tawny copper color, solid carbonation supports an off white frothy cap'
S - Nice blend of spices, roast pumpkin, roast malts, brown sugar
T - Follows the nose well, add in some hints of raisin, earthy hops.
M - Medium in body, sweet start, stays the entire experience. Finishing on the dry side is a good touch
O - very ggod pumpkin beer, balanced spice and pumpkin keep this a winner
Sep 24, 2019
3.84 by Bierliebhaber3 from Massachusetts on Jan 23, 2019
3.56 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Dec 22, 2018
3.86/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by twosheds from Massachusetts
Orangey brown with a tan head
Smells mostly of cinnamon.
The taste has obvious pumpkin pie flavors but it well balanced with a hearty ale.
This is a really good pumpkin ale. One of the best.
Oct 27, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by twosheds from Massachusetts
Orangey brown with a tan head
Smells mostly of cinnamon.
The taste has obvious pumpkin pie flavors but it well balanced with a hearty ale.
This is a really good pumpkin ale. One of the best.
Oct 27, 2018
4.03 by hkyplyr73 from New York on Oct 23, 2018
4.87 by Badabang from Massachusetts on Oct 21, 2018
4.11/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by mike22ne from Massachusetts
I've had it on tap and in a can.
A very nice pumpkin beer that balances the flavor and body of fresh pumpkin flesh with pumpkin pie spices and caramel malts. Earthy spicy hops too. Excellent!
Some bars like to serve it with the glass rim dipped in cinnamon sugar, that's way too much for me.
Oct 18, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by mike22ne from Massachusetts
I've had it on tap and in a can.
A very nice pumpkin beer that balances the flavor and body of fresh pumpkin flesh with pumpkin pie spices and caramel malts. Earthy spicy hops too. Excellent!
Some bars like to serve it with the glass rim dipped in cinnamon sugar, that's way too much for me.
Oct 18, 2018
4.55/5 rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
pumpkin is present, cinnamon is there but not overpowering; nice balance
Oct 11, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
pumpkin is present, cinnamon is there but not overpowering; nice balance
Oct 11, 2018
2.79/5 rDev -28.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
No dating on the bottle.
Looks a lightly hazed rusty gold with a nice billowy head of foam.
Smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and a bit of booze. More booze than I would expect considering the abv.
Nutmeg and cinnamon taste, cloves, and then comes the finish and aftertaste. A strange unpleasant bitterness.
Body is medium, the carbonation is spritzy, especially during the swallow.
Not my cup of tea.
Sep 22, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
No dating on the bottle.
Looks a lightly hazed rusty gold with a nice billowy head of foam.
Smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and a bit of booze. More booze than I would expect considering the abv.
Nutmeg and cinnamon taste, cloves, and then comes the finish and aftertaste. A strange unpleasant bitterness.
Body is medium, the carbonation is spritzy, especially during the swallow.
Not my cup of tea.
Sep 22, 2018
4.25 by seakayak from Massachusetts on Sep 10, 2018
3.41/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
by Holderness from Massachusetts
L — Burnt orange-amber body with a huge 3+-finger rocky off-white head produced with gentle pour (thanks, bottle conditioning!). Good retention and lacing
S — Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, pumpkin, cherry, molasses, brown bread
T — Pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin flesh, caramel malt, hint of grassy hoppiness
F — The bottle conditioning results in excessive effervescence for the style: I had to swirl the hell out of the glass to get the carb down to reasonable levels. Otherwise it’s super prickly and detracts from the flavors. Medium- mouthfeel. Watery around the edges
O — This bottle was likely past its prime. Nice job locally sourcing the majority of the ingredients!
69/100
Mar 23, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
by Holderness from Massachusetts
L — Burnt orange-amber body with a huge 3+-finger rocky off-white head produced with gentle pour (thanks, bottle conditioning!). Good retention and lacing
S — Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, pumpkin, cherry, molasses, brown bread
T — Pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin flesh, caramel malt, hint of grassy hoppiness
F — The bottle conditioning results in excessive effervescence for the style: I had to swirl the hell out of the glass to get the carb down to reasonable levels. Otherwise it’s super prickly and detracts from the flavors. Medium- mouthfeel. Watery around the edges
O — This bottle was likely past its prime. Nice job locally sourcing the majority of the ingredients!
69/100
Mar 23, 2018
4 by paulish from New York on Oct 22, 2017
3.42 by Skipple from Rhode Island on Oct 11, 2017
3.5/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
This was poured into a becher pint glass. The appearance was a ruddy burnt orange close to amber color. Thin finger’s worth of foamy white head started and clung nicely to the glass. Slight wispy in it’s lace. The aroma starts with the spices of allspice, light ginger, cinnamon and the cardamom (yeah, I swear I’m getting cardadmom, now where in the hell is that coming from?). Light pumpkin flesh as it warms. The flavor brings it all together nicely. Pumpkin fleshy sweetness punches some of the spices to balance decently.Light bready/somewhat pumpkin aftertaste. Sweet to pumpkin spiced finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionability about it. Low riding carbonation. Spices don’t distract the harshness. Good all around feel. Overall, I say it was a pretty good pumpkin ale all around.
Jun 21, 2017
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
This was poured into a becher pint glass. The appearance was a ruddy burnt orange close to amber color. Thin finger’s worth of foamy white head started and clung nicely to the glass. Slight wispy in it’s lace. The aroma starts with the spices of allspice, light ginger, cinnamon and the cardamom (yeah, I swear I’m getting cardadmom, now where in the hell is that coming from?). Light pumpkin flesh as it warms. The flavor brings it all together nicely. Pumpkin fleshy sweetness punches some of the spices to balance decently.Light bready/somewhat pumpkin aftertaste. Sweet to pumpkin spiced finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a decent sessionability about it. Low riding carbonation. Spices don’t distract the harshness. Good all around feel. Overall, I say it was a pretty good pumpkin ale all around.
Jun 21, 2017
3.68/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by fitzy84 from Massachusetts
Had on a flight at Cambridge Brewing Co. The beer had a murky amber-brown appearance with a thin head around the glass. Aromas included a solid pumpkin-like aroma, including spices like nutmeg. The taste generally follows the nose as a decently sweet and malty beer. Good carbonation in general. Overall, not too bad.
Nov 07, 2016
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by fitzy84 from Massachusetts
Had on a flight at Cambridge Brewing Co. The beer had a murky amber-brown appearance with a thin head around the glass. Aromas included a solid pumpkin-like aroma, including spices like nutmeg. The taste generally follows the nose as a decently sweet and malty beer. Good carbonation in general. Overall, not too bad.
Nov 07, 2016
3.75 by Aisha from Massachusetts on Nov 02, 2016
4 by craigferraro from New Hampshire on Sep 22, 2016
3.75 by jagada from Pennsylvania on Jan 02, 2016
4.26/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by chrishiker1409 from New York
L: An orange brown tinge. Poured with a finger of head which quickly dissipates, but leaves some lacing.
S: Pumpkin, nutmeg
T: Follows the nose. Quite a bit of pumpkin and not too crazy with the spices.
F: Smooth and creamy.
O: Definitely one of the better pumpkin beers I have had. A nice treat with dessert at Thanksgiving.
Nov 27, 2015
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by chrishiker1409 from New York
L: An orange brown tinge. Poured with a finger of head which quickly dissipates, but leaves some lacing.
S: Pumpkin, nutmeg
T: Follows the nose. Quite a bit of pumpkin and not too crazy with the spices.
F: Smooth and creamy.
O: Definitely one of the better pumpkin beers I have had. A nice treat with dessert at Thanksgiving.
Nov 27, 2015
3.78/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HopsAreDaMan from Missouri
22oz, assuming fresh; bought on sale for $3. Pours a slightly hazy orange, with a large, beautiful beige-colored head (both large and small bubbles). Aroma is faint, but there are pumpkin and spices in there. Taste is definitely fruity--with pumpkin--and sweet. Light, but creamy, mouth-feel.
I was expecting more from this, based on the ratings. This is at least the 8th different pumpkin beer I have had in the last month or so (not to count the samples of at least a couple of others), and while it is good, it's definitely not the best I've had. I will give it credit for what it has going for it has at such a low ABV.
Nov 24, 2015
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by HopsAreDaMan from Missouri
22oz, assuming fresh; bought on sale for $3. Pours a slightly hazy orange, with a large, beautiful beige-colored head (both large and small bubbles). Aroma is faint, but there are pumpkin and spices in there. Taste is definitely fruity--with pumpkin--and sweet. Light, but creamy, mouth-feel.
I was expecting more from this, based on the ratings. This is at least the 8th different pumpkin beer I have had in the last month or so (not to count the samples of at least a couple of others), and while it is good, it's definitely not the best I've had. I will give it credit for what it has going for it has at such a low ABV.
Nov 24, 2015
4.06 by KAP72 from Illinois on Nov 22, 2015
4 by Kevinpitts from Illinois on Nov 22, 2015
3.15 by thegerm87 from Massachusetts on Nov 11, 2015
4 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida on Nov 09, 2015
4 by AlvinLin from New York on Nov 02, 2015
Great Pumpkin Ale from Cambridge Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
389 ratings