Pumpkin Ale
Smuttynose Brewing Company
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- From:
- Smuttynose Brewing Company
- New Hampshire, United States
- Style:
- Pumpkin Beer
Ranked #149 - ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #25,019 - Avg:
- 3.67 | pDev: 14.99%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 12, 2021
- Added:
- Aug 28, 2003
- Wants:
- 102
- Gots:
- 225
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
Notes:
Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale is our homage to the craft and heritage of America’s brewers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins in beer date back to early colonial times, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.”
In that spirit, we brew our ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original.
45 IBU
In that spirit, we brew our ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original.
45 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.87/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by 1009 from Massachusetts
Love our neighbors to the north of Boston. Smutty does an excellent job of walking that line between beer and pumpkin spiced latte. A lot of pumpkin beers can taste artificial and overwhelming, but this is subtle. Subtle to the nose when you lift and subtle in taste. The pumpkin is accompanying this delicious beer by not stealing the show and provides supporting flavor. A beautiful beer in presentation too. Nice dark copper tint with a frothy foamy head. A nice Fall warmer.
Nov 12, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by 1009 from Massachusetts
Love our neighbors to the north of Boston. Smutty does an excellent job of walking that line between beer and pumpkin spiced latte. A lot of pumpkin beers can taste artificial and overwhelming, but this is subtle. Subtle to the nose when you lift and subtle in taste. The pumpkin is accompanying this delicious beer by not stealing the show and provides supporting flavor. A beautiful beer in presentation too. Nice dark copper tint with a frothy foamy head. A nice Fall warmer.
Nov 12, 2021
4 by atlbravsrno1 from New Hampshire on Sep 30, 2021
3.69 by drews240 from Rhode Island on Sep 26, 2021
2.81/5 rDev -23.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75
by ThrewRedButter from Massachusetts
Look – Copper color with a slightly hazy body and two fingers of white head
Aroma – Subtle aroma of pumpkin……and that’s about it. No spice presence to be found. Smells pretty neutral.
Taste – The taste is more flowers and potpourri than anything else. The pumpkin was subtle on the nose and is nearly non-existent here. Like the nose there is no spices to be found. The back end finishes with almost a generic macro lager taste. There’s nothing offensive here, but also not much to write about.
Mouhfeel – Light-bodied with a good amount of carbonation. It is easy to gulp this one down, but that’s due to it not being rich or flavorful.
Overall – Simply being inoffensive does not a good beer make. Mild pumpkin beer on the nose and a whole lotta nothin’ on the taste. Not bad tasting, but that doesn’t mean it is good.
Sep 21, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75
by ThrewRedButter from Massachusetts
Look – Copper color with a slightly hazy body and two fingers of white head
Aroma – Subtle aroma of pumpkin……and that’s about it. No spice presence to be found. Smells pretty neutral.
Taste – The taste is more flowers and potpourri than anything else. The pumpkin was subtle on the nose and is nearly non-existent here. Like the nose there is no spices to be found. The back end finishes with almost a generic macro lager taste. There’s nothing offensive here, but also not much to write about.
Mouhfeel – Light-bodied with a good amount of carbonation. It is easy to gulp this one down, but that’s due to it not being rich or flavorful.
Overall – Simply being inoffensive does not a good beer make. Mild pumpkin beer on the nose and a whole lotta nothin’ on the taste. Not bad tasting, but that doesn’t mean it is good.
Sep 21, 2021
3.55/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by osheamatth from New York
Nice copper color with little to no head. Definite nose of pumpkin there which you can't say too often about pumpkin ale which is normally overwhelmingly spice forward. The slip here is how boring the palate is. It's too carbonated and tastes faintly of metal. The pumpkin and the spice are in the background but the dominance is the can. Finishes equally poorly.
Sep 20, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by osheamatth from New York
Nice copper color with little to no head. Definite nose of pumpkin there which you can't say too often about pumpkin ale which is normally overwhelmingly spice forward. The slip here is how boring the palate is. It's too carbonated and tastes faintly of metal. The pumpkin and the spice are in the background but the dominance is the can. Finishes equally poorly.
Sep 20, 2021
3.76 by QuentinDishaw from Massachusetts on Sep 06, 2021
3.55/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
16 oz can.
Pours a foggy amber color with 2 fingers of creamy off-white head. Good retention. Leaves a nearly perfect ring of lacing around the glass.
Very mild nose, with light aromas of pumpkin and squash, cinnamon and sweet citrus.
The flavor has quite a bit of clove, with some tangerines and squash. Doughy malt hiding in the back. Nutmeg and light cinnamon on the finish.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth. Nicely drinkable.
Overall, this is a solid pumpkin ale. Definitely not my favorite style of beer, but this one actually tastes like pumpkin, instead of beer with a ton of pumpkin pie spice.
Aug 09, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
16 oz can.
Pours a foggy amber color with 2 fingers of creamy off-white head. Good retention. Leaves a nearly perfect ring of lacing around the glass.
Very mild nose, with light aromas of pumpkin and squash, cinnamon and sweet citrus.
The flavor has quite a bit of clove, with some tangerines and squash. Doughy malt hiding in the back. Nutmeg and light cinnamon on the finish.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth. Nicely drinkable.
Overall, this is a solid pumpkin ale. Definitely not my favorite style of beer, but this one actually tastes like pumpkin, instead of beer with a ton of pumpkin pie spice.
Aug 09, 2021
4.27/5 rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by PSYCLST from Pennsylvania
Pleasant, easy drinking with tasty but not overwhelming pumpkin flavor.
Oct 25, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by PSYCLST from Pennsylvania
Pleasant, easy drinking with tasty but not overwhelming pumpkin flavor.
Oct 25, 2020
3.63/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by bankboy66 from New Jersey
Pours a beautiful cloudy amber with a two finger head. Pumpkin on the nose but subtle. Taste is a nice balance of pumpkin and clove/spice. But overall not very flavorful. Everything is there but a little watered down. Finish is easy.
Oct 18, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by bankboy66 from New Jersey
Pours a beautiful cloudy amber with a two finger head. Pumpkin on the nose but subtle. Taste is a nice balance of pumpkin and clove/spice. But overall not very flavorful. Everything is there but a little watered down. Finish is easy.
Oct 18, 2020
3.94/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Amendm from Florida
A strong pour is needed to reach a finger of creamy egg-shell white foam with long retention and spots of lacing.
Chill haze clears to a lightly hazy orange straw color, I can read medium sized print through it.
Mild smell of bready malt, dough and cooked pumpkin, mild pumpkin pie spice
Bigger flavors in the taste, neutral on sweetness with low initial bitterness that creeps up to average. The spice hides the alcohol, toasted malt flavor rises above the bready and doughy smell. The finish is fast with the spice lingering softly.
Medium-light body with lasting carbonation, smooth and so well balanced, nothing stands out of the blend of spice, pumpkin and malt. I cannot drink this Beer without wondering why so many folks avoid this style.
A 12-oz. can was poured into a 14-oz. "Krug". Canned on 7/10/20.
Sep 11, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Amendm from Florida
A strong pour is needed to reach a finger of creamy egg-shell white foam with long retention and spots of lacing.
Chill haze clears to a lightly hazy orange straw color, I can read medium sized print through it.
Mild smell of bready malt, dough and cooked pumpkin, mild pumpkin pie spice
Bigger flavors in the taste, neutral on sweetness with low initial bitterness that creeps up to average. The spice hides the alcohol, toasted malt flavor rises above the bready and doughy smell. The finish is fast with the spice lingering softly.
Medium-light body with lasting carbonation, smooth and so well balanced, nothing stands out of the blend of spice, pumpkin and malt. I cannot drink this Beer without wondering why so many folks avoid this style.
A 12-oz. can was poured into a 14-oz. "Krug". Canned on 7/10/20.
Sep 11, 2020
2 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Sep 10, 2020
5 by Dalkri from Massachusetts on Aug 17, 2020
3.75 by Velivolus1 from Vermont on Jul 19, 2020
2 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Apr 07, 2020
3.49 by XsoldoutX from Pennsylvania on Dec 15, 2019
3.29 by GracelandII from Virginia on Nov 02, 2019
3.81 by HarryPotHead from Maryland on Oct 27, 2019
4/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by izraelc from New York
Pours a golden brown. Mild spice aroma. Bigger taste than expected. Big malt and pumpkin body with a sweet and spicy finish. Smooth and well balanced. Delightful.
Oct 26, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by izraelc from New York
Pours a golden brown. Mild spice aroma. Bigger taste than expected. Big malt and pumpkin body with a sweet and spicy finish. Smooth and well balanced. Delightful.
Oct 26, 2019
4.02 by Tundruth from New Hampshire on Oct 22, 2019
3.44/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by EnderFett11 from Virginia
Poured from a bottle into a beer mug, resulting in a couple fingers of frothy off-white head that faded after a few minutes. Very hazy orange color. Smells faintly of pumpkin, not too strong a smell. Tastes mostly of pumpkin without much spice of any kind, with the back-end and after taste pretty hoppy. Mouthfeel is thin-to-medium with plenty of carbonation. An okay pumpkin ale, definitely too much hop flavor for me to enjoy.
Oct 16, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by EnderFett11 from Virginia
Poured from a bottle into a beer mug, resulting in a couple fingers of frothy off-white head that faded after a few minutes. Very hazy orange color. Smells faintly of pumpkin, not too strong a smell. Tastes mostly of pumpkin without much spice of any kind, with the back-end and after taste pretty hoppy. Mouthfeel is thin-to-medium with plenty of carbonation. An okay pumpkin ale, definitely too much hop flavor for me to enjoy.
Oct 16, 2019
1.31 by chiefz1 from New York on Oct 13, 2019
2.52/5 rDev -31.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by q33jeff from New Jersey
**
Various
Update of Pumpkin Beer from 2013-2019 Blind Tastings.
**
Oct 12, 2019
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by q33jeff from New Jersey
**
Various
Update of Pumpkin Beer from 2013-2019 Blind Tastings.
**
Oct 12, 2019
3.06 by Saylor from Pennsylvania on Oct 11, 2019
4.21 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio on Oct 02, 2019
3.45 by Branlott42 from Missouri on Sep 30, 2019
3.75 by Velivolus from Vermont on Sep 28, 2019
4.09/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a custom taster; bottled on 07/29/2019.
A: Pours a hazy, amber color with a one finger, off-white head. Retention and lacing very much a function of the aggressiveness of the pour, but solid.
S: Lightly tangy with aromas of caramel/molasses, pumpkin or squash, tangerine, papaya, and cinnamon.
T: Sweet and lightly tart. Flavors consistent with the nose. Bitterness very much in balance with a nicely peppery finish.
M: Light to medium bodied with lively, but still moderate carbonation.
O: A very enjoyable, flavorful version of the Pumpkin Ale style. Really liked the fruitiness.
Sep 23, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by VoxRationis from New York
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a custom taster; bottled on 07/29/2019.
A: Pours a hazy, amber color with a one finger, off-white head. Retention and lacing very much a function of the aggressiveness of the pour, but solid.
S: Lightly tangy with aromas of caramel/molasses, pumpkin or squash, tangerine, papaya, and cinnamon.
T: Sweet and lightly tart. Flavors consistent with the nose. Bitterness very much in balance with a nicely peppery finish.
M: Light to medium bodied with lively, but still moderate carbonation.
O: A very enjoyable, flavorful version of the Pumpkin Ale style. Really liked the fruitiness.
Sep 23, 2019
3.55/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
by AvengeTheRavel from Connecticut
Had it in bottle format. Tastewise, was just ok, a little "lacking" compared to other pumpkin ales that i prefer over this.
Sep 22, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
by AvengeTheRavel from Connecticut
Had it in bottle format. Tastewise, was just ok, a little "lacking" compared to other pumpkin ales that i prefer over this.
Sep 22, 2019
3.79/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mugman8 from New York
Pours with a cloudy pumpkin tint but minimal head. Has a pleasant spicy pumpkin aroma and taste is pumpkin, clover and spice. A good brew for the fall at a decent price....I recommend.
Sep 18, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mugman8 from New York
Pours with a cloudy pumpkin tint but minimal head. Has a pleasant spicy pumpkin aroma and taste is pumpkin, clover and spice. A good brew for the fall at a decent price....I recommend.
Sep 18, 2019
3.33 by Latarnik from New Jersey on Sep 05, 2019
3.43 by CoasterGuy from Pennsylvania on Jan 23, 2019
3.46/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by mothmanscott from Georgia
From notes 10/31/11: Pours a murky orange tinged pale amber with a large off-white, lasting head that leaves a nice coating of lace as it recedes. Aroma is more yellow squash-like than pumpkin, roasted malt, caramel, sweet with a metallic hint. Taste is pumpkin, ginger and faint clove in that order. Spicy finish.
Jan 03, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by mothmanscott from Georgia
From notes 10/31/11: Pours a murky orange tinged pale amber with a large off-white, lasting head that leaves a nice coating of lace as it recedes. Aroma is more yellow squash-like than pumpkin, roasted malt, caramel, sweet with a metallic hint. Taste is pumpkin, ginger and faint clove in that order. Spicy finish.
Jan 03, 2019
3.75/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Slightly cloudy golden orange pour with 2 fingers of white head. Nice lacing.
S: Smells like a pumpkin beer. Pumpkin pie and spice.
T/F: Toasted malts... earthy grains and pumpkin up front. The usual spices... nutmeg, clove, and ginger. Not overpowering at least.. some tangyness to the flavor and hopping for bitterness. Not the dreaded 'pumpkin soda' which is a positive. Medium to light bodied... fairly smooth.
O: A decent pumpkin beer... not too spicy or offensive, and I could handle one of these on occasion.
Nov 07, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Slightly cloudy golden orange pour with 2 fingers of white head. Nice lacing.
S: Smells like a pumpkin beer. Pumpkin pie and spice.
T/F: Toasted malts... earthy grains and pumpkin up front. The usual spices... nutmeg, clove, and ginger. Not overpowering at least.. some tangyness to the flavor and hopping for bitterness. Not the dreaded 'pumpkin soda' which is a positive. Medium to light bodied... fairly smooth.
O: A decent pumpkin beer... not too spicy or offensive, and I could handle one of these on occasion.
Nov 07, 2018
3.75/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Red5StandingBy from Maryland
Poured from 12oz bottle into standard Pint glass. Best before February 2nd, 2018.
L: Hazy orange, half finger off-white head has decent retention.
S: Pumpkin, brown sugar and clove. Nice.
T: Follows the nose well, pretty good.
F: Light, crisp, lingering pumpkin flavor.
O: Good pumpkin beer.
Oct 17, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Red5StandingBy from Maryland
Poured from 12oz bottle into standard Pint glass. Best before February 2nd, 2018.
L: Hazy orange, half finger off-white head has decent retention.
S: Pumpkin, brown sugar and clove. Nice.
T: Follows the nose well, pretty good.
F: Light, crisp, lingering pumpkin flavor.
O: Good pumpkin beer.
Oct 17, 2018
4 by PaleAleWalt from New York on Oct 12, 2018
3.84/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by mike22ne from Massachusetts
A decently bitter, pumpkiny pale ale. Plenty of earthy bitter hops balance the pumpkin flavors and caramel malts so that it's not overwhelmed by spices and sweetness. Noticeable pumpkin squash character, not just spices.
Overall pretty good.
Oct 09, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by mike22ne from Massachusetts
A decently bitter, pumpkiny pale ale. Plenty of earthy bitter hops balance the pumpkin flavors and caramel malts so that it's not overwhelmed by spices and sweetness. Noticeable pumpkin squash character, not just spices.
Overall pretty good.
Oct 09, 2018
3 by billbeers from Pennsylvania on Sep 30, 2018
3.24/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Cloudy dark orange, amber color. Around a medium body and just above average carbonation .
Aroma is mostly the base beer, malt, cereal , grain, spices, allspjce, and pumpkin puree
Taste is similar to nose but the spice, which wasn't overwhelming in the aroma was dominant in the taste . As it warms the spice takes over even more. This is not a sweet pumpkin beer, more dry and actually was a little sour . The spice left a biting aftertaste that lingers awhile .
Overall it's okay but wasn't one of my favorite fall seasonal beers
Sep 17, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
Cloudy dark orange, amber color. Around a medium body and just above average carbonation .
Aroma is mostly the base beer, malt, cereal , grain, spices, allspjce, and pumpkin puree
Taste is similar to nose but the spice, which wasn't overwhelming in the aroma was dominant in the taste . As it warms the spice takes over even more. This is not a sweet pumpkin beer, more dry and actually was a little sour . The spice left a biting aftertaste that lingers awhile .
Overall it's okay but wasn't one of my favorite fall seasonal beers
Sep 17, 2018
2.09/5 rDev -43.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by teromous from Virginia
There is a small stamp on the top center of the front label in black ink that says: "BEST BEFORE 02-02-19 ABV 6.0%"
Appearance: It has a hazy golden body with a few suspended solids. The head starts rocky and white but very quickly drops out to a sheet of creamy foam with large bubbles across the surface. There isn't any head retention on this beer but it leaves some nice lacing.
Aroma: I am picking up a very, very faint aroma of allspice. Most of the time while smelling the beer I can't tell if I'm actually smelling anything or if I'm imagining it. It is extremely underwhelming for a beer that is traditionally spiced. Double checking the label, this does say this is an "ALE BREWED WITH PUMPKIN PUREE & SPICES."
Taste: Up front I'm getting some allspice and some clove, then I get this weird flavor that tastes like minty and slightly lemony hops. The beer tapers off with this strong lime flavor and an oddly bitter end.
Mouthfeel: The beer feels to bitter which both hampers the drinkability of the beer and gives it an unpleasant and unwelcome confluence of character.
Overall: It wasn't a very enjoyable beer to drink. The spice combination might have been off on this beer but the lemon and lime character really throws this one for a loop. Did somebody think this was a good idea or was it an accident? Who knows; it just isn't an enjoyable beer. Given the opportunity to drink this or an average non-seasonal beer I would rather pick the latter.
Aug 27, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by teromous from Virginia
There is a small stamp on the top center of the front label in black ink that says: "BEST BEFORE 02-02-19 ABV 6.0%"
Appearance: It has a hazy golden body with a few suspended solids. The head starts rocky and white but very quickly drops out to a sheet of creamy foam with large bubbles across the surface. There isn't any head retention on this beer but it leaves some nice lacing.
Aroma: I am picking up a very, very faint aroma of allspice. Most of the time while smelling the beer I can't tell if I'm actually smelling anything or if I'm imagining it. It is extremely underwhelming for a beer that is traditionally spiced. Double checking the label, this does say this is an "ALE BREWED WITH PUMPKIN PUREE & SPICES."
Taste: Up front I'm getting some allspice and some clove, then I get this weird flavor that tastes like minty and slightly lemony hops. The beer tapers off with this strong lime flavor and an oddly bitter end.
Mouthfeel: The beer feels to bitter which both hampers the drinkability of the beer and gives it an unpleasant and unwelcome confluence of character.
Overall: It wasn't a very enjoyable beer to drink. The spice combination might have been off on this beer but the lemon and lime character really throws this one for a loop. Did somebody think this was a good idea or was it an accident? Who knows; it just isn't an enjoyable beer. Given the opportunity to drink this or an average non-seasonal beer I would rather pick the latter.
Aug 27, 2018
3.27 by Jsalz21 from New Jersey on Aug 22, 2018
Pumpkin Ale from Smuttynose Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
1959 ratings