Topaz Pumpkin Ale
Fort George Brewery + Public House

 

every time i have a good pumpkin ale i am reminded how much i really do love the style, like i remember even putting it as my favorite style way back when i first made my BA profile when i signed up for this site, i dont know why i have to feel like its a guilty pleasure, i guess its because the good ones actually based on squash are rare now, and there is tons of trash in this style space, but boy do i still love one like this, and it felt great to have a few during thursday night football last night, sit outside with a hoodie on, fall is finally on its way, and this beer kicks it off right. leave it to fort george to absolutely nail it too, one of my favorites showing out right here. an amber ale base and a good one, crystal clear, medium color depth, high shine and a ton of carbonation and creamy foamy white head, looks great, and the can art is cool. neat to call out the farm, adds a layer of honesty to it often missing from the style these days. this is spiced, all the usual suspects, but its an amber ale first and a pumpkin beer second, the spices are accents not drivers, and this is drier than the vast majority of them, making it more drinkable and more pumpkin forward than is common, really cool proportions on this overall. the clove and nutmeg rise ahead of the cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, but all are appreciable in aroma and flavor, it smells a little maltier than it drinks, all very fresh, and the wet earthiness and light sweetness of the pumpkins is awesome in here, very identifiable in aroma and in flavor, this feels almost delicate to me, i love that it has just a little bit of a fermentation profile, and that its snappy and quick at the end, almost lager-like in texture, nice when ice cold but also it warms up very favorably, no vanilla, no dessert vibes, ideal base beer for these ingredients and flavors. great carbonation on this, feels light but adequate on the body, and there is just a little late bitterness from the spices to balance. a truly fantastic pumpkin ale, and a high bar as the first one of the season for me this year, going to be tough to beat! thankful for this one, really restores my faith in these...

 

2024-12-22
Shared with wife and Alaskan math teacher on cookie day. OK.

16oz can from Boise Co-op. Clear, light amber pour, small cap of off-white head. Aroma is sweet and some savory notes, orange peel. Taste brings light cinnamon and nutmeg, the pumpkin spice very mellow, a mere accent to the nice malty beer

 

 

Poured into an Elysian pumpkin snifter. Pours a medium to dark coppery amber with a fine, two finger white head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of lightly biscuit malt, pumpkin and mild pumpkin pie spices. Flavor is pale and slight caramel malt, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, allspice and a little hop bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. I liked the description of using lots of pumpkin mash and not just spices, and sure enough this has nice authentic pumpkin character. I thought there was some of the slight bitterness from pumpkin seeds, but it is probably the light hops; still adds to the pumpkin character. Lightly spiced with the appropriate seasonal spices. Nice mouth feel from a solid malt body. This is my kind of pumpkin ale. Hope this is an annual offering here in Seattle. It seemed to sell out quickly, so hopefully a big success. This is easily as nice a pumpkin ale as my former go-to, Elysian's The Great Pumpkin, which is not available in less than a 12 pack now (thanks Inbev).

Fort George Topaz Pumpkin Ale:
Look: Clear red to very dark orange with a nice-looking off-white head that swells and settles to a pillow, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Raw pumpkin flesh, roasted pumpkin, wafts of brown sugar, freshly baked brown bread, and hints of nutmeg and cinnamon
Taste: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar hit first and mingle for a moment before being followed by a pumpkin barrage that includes roasted and fresh flesh and hints of roasted seed. Bready malt interplays with the pumpkin throughout the middle and close
Mouthfeel: Fairly full, smooth, medium-high carbonation, and smooth and slightly soft on the finish
Overall: This is some good stuff. I love pumpkin beers when they are well-made and aren’t a total pumpkin pie spice bomb and this beer, as expected, checks both boxes. Loads of bready malt and pumpkin flesh throughout that bring that Fall feeling with just a hint of spices to help accentuate the whole package. Tasty and recommended

16oz can

Pours a finger of off-white head into my Willi. Retention is average, and the head fades within a couple minutes. Lacing is pretty patchy. Body is amber with some orange hues. Looks ok.

Nose is slightly sweet, with a soft pumpkin presence. No spices whatsoever, so this comes across much cleaner than most pumpkin beers, you’re even able to pick up some crystal malt/caramel notes. Nice creaminess to it as well. Smells pretty nice.

Flavor is much the same, you get a nice smooth pumpkin flavor, with some caramel in the finish. That said, the flavor is thin at times. Still, it does a better job of being a beer than most in the style.

Carbonation is medium-high. Body is extremely thin. Maybe a touch of sweetness, drinks pretty balanced. Bitterness is low. At first the mouthfeel is too thin and minerally, but it smooths out over time. Not bad.

Drinkability is good.

Overall not bad. The nose is really delightful, but the flavor settles a little light.

 

 

Pours a lovely orange-- no other word for it-- brew with adequate foam in the Orval chalice. Pleasant aroma of roasted squash with a whiff of hops. Begins with a slight welcome sweetness and some malt. A tangy note to go with the warm somewhat fruity and different taste. Nothing is overdone here. The squash taste is allowed to take the stage and the spice if any is very subtle. Finally a Pumkpin Beer that is not only tolerable but quite tasty. Another feather for Fort George. From the 16 oz can purchased at Elizabeth Station. Not dated.