Pumpkin Wheat Ale
Richbrau Brewing Company

Thanks to Chuck Cook for bringing this bottle from VA.

Appearance is hazy gold with no head whatsoever. The strong fruity aroma implies that the taste will be dominated by pumpkin. And so it is, though more well balanced than the aroma signalled, and with a little spiciness. Low carbonation, hence the flatness and lack of head, makes this beer refreshing and easily quaffable.

Pumpkin dominates all the way through, there's little in the way of noticeable hop or malt character. The finish is dry and fruity (surprise!) with a little hint of tartness.

Very pleasant, but I probably wouldn't want more than one in a session.

On-tap at Richbrau Brewery.

Poured a cloudy, straw-color with a white lace that laced all the way. Strange (yet quite nice) pumpkin-cinnamon-bannana aroma. Flavor is sort of hefe-like, with pumpkin spice and nutmeg added to shake things up. Medium-bodied, with a smooth, bready-sweet finish. Different and flavorful.

Its cloudy, yellow-gold body is capped by a short head of white foam that dissipates readily and leaves just some spotty lace about the glass (dirty glass, perhaps?). The nose is wheatish and fruity with a nice level of pumpkin pie spice (mainly cinnamon). The body is medium; and its very fine, low level carbonation leaves it just crisp enough to give it some mouthfeel and accentuate the malts without bolstering the spice that's found in the flavor. Malt seems to take somewhat of a backseat to the spiciness as you progress through the pint, but in general its well-balanced and enjoyable. It finishes dry with some slight malt and a touch of mild residual spice. Very nice!