Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale | Cigar City Brewing
Brewed by:
Cigar City Brewing
Florida, United States | website
Style: Pumpkin Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.50%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Legend has it that when a pumpkin comes into the world it is possessed by either a good or an evil spirit. Ours got all the good baby! Bursting with real pumpkin flavor and yummy pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg, Good Gourd is a celebration of Fall and that spookiest of holidays, Halloween. Pair Good Gourd with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and costume parties.
35 IBU
Added by tpd975 on 01-03-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 205 | Ratings: 1,324
3.85/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle
A- Poured into a Cigar City tulip glass. Pours a deep orangish amber color with an off-white head.
S- The nose is classic pumpkin ale aroma with pumpkin and spices.
T- The taste is really good. Not as sweet as some pumpkin ales, this one is a little more dry. The spices come out up front with some warmth from the alcohol. There is also a mile level of bitterness in the finish from some hops.
M- The mouthfeel is between light and medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.
O- Overall, Good Gourd is a really tasty pumpkin ale. I would put it in the upper tier of pumpkin beers. Recommended!
★ 619 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle
A- Poured into a Cigar City tulip glass. Pours a deep orangish amber color with an off-white head.
S- The nose is classic pumpkin ale aroma with pumpkin and spices.
T- The taste is really good. Not as sweet as some pumpkin ales, this one is a little more dry. The spices come out up front with some warmth from the alcohol. There is also a mile level of bitterness in the finish from some hops.
M- The mouthfeel is between light and medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.
O- Overall, Good Gourd is a really tasty pumpkin ale. I would put it in the upper tier of pumpkin beers. Recommended!
★ 619 characters
4.42/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. thanks to an at Mekong for sampling out the bottle.
pours a dark orange with a small head. smell is BIG on nutmeg and pumpkin. taste is identical. amazing flavor and perhaps the best pumpkin beer I've ever tried. lingering pumpkin taste. love it. thoroughly recommended.
★ 301 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. thanks to an at Mekong for sampling out the bottle.
pours a dark orange with a small head. smell is BIG on nutmeg and pumpkin. taste is identical. amazing flavor and perhaps the best pumpkin beer I've ever tried. lingering pumpkin taste. love it. thoroughly recommended.
★ 301 characters
4.06/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
650ml bottle poured into mini cognac tulip 12/9/15
A glows amber, even a small pour has a little head that hangs around for a few sips, looks thick like the the little bubbles are struggling to get to the surface
S big on vanilla, some allspice and nutmeg, yams and faint pumpkin, hard toffee a plenty, and a hint of ginger and cinnamon with a little booze
T mimics the nose but a little more booze and the individual spices are harder to pick out
M medium bodied, creams up, fine grit, a little heat, heaps of spice lingering
O solid pumpkin beer, well spiced, not exactly unique but well made
I told myself I was only having one pumpkin beer this year and this one just popped up at my place, cheers Corson!!
★ 724 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
650ml bottle poured into mini cognac tulip 12/9/15
A glows amber, even a small pour has a little head that hangs around for a few sips, looks thick like the the little bubbles are struggling to get to the surface
S big on vanilla, some allspice and nutmeg, yams and faint pumpkin, hard toffee a plenty, and a hint of ginger and cinnamon with a little booze
T mimics the nose but a little more booze and the individual spices are harder to pick out
M medium bodied, creams up, fine grit, a little heat, heaps of spice lingering
O solid pumpkin beer, well spiced, not exactly unique but well made
I told myself I was only having one pumpkin beer this year and this one just popped up at my place, cheers Corson!!
★ 724 characters
4.16/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice dark amber, orangish-red color with off-white head. Pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and caramel and malt on the nose; follows onto the palate. Finishes like a nice piece of pumpkin pie.
★ 194 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice dark amber, orangish-red color with off-white head. Pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and caramel and malt on the nose; follows onto the palate. Finishes like a nice piece of pumpkin pie.
★ 194 characters
3.7/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm glad pumpkin beer season is coming to an end. I keep buying them but I've never found one that stands out above the rest.
A: Golden caramel in color with a small white head.
S: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and some sweetness.
T: Cinnamon and cloves mainly but it has a fresh gourd taste to it. If you have ever broken a gourd in half and smelled it thats exactly how this one finishes. Sort of odd after taste.
Drinks a little bit bigger than your typical pumpkin ale. Decent beer but nothing that really sets it apart from the others.
★ 539 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm glad pumpkin beer season is coming to an end. I keep buying them but I've never found one that stands out above the rest.
A: Golden caramel in color with a small white head.
S: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and some sweetness.
T: Cinnamon and cloves mainly but it has a fresh gourd taste to it. If you have ever broken a gourd in half and smelled it thats exactly how this one finishes. Sort of odd after taste.
Drinks a little bit bigger than your typical pumpkin ale. Decent beer but nothing that really sets it apart from the others.
★ 539 characters
4.34/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
75cl bottle shared with Doug and Matt today, 9/11/2013. Poured into a Cigar City snifter. Going to have to preface this review by saying that this is rated vs other pumpkin beers, and not necessarily overall. Review #206.
Looks fairly decent, a clear brown-orange mixed body with good carbonation but not overwhelming. The head was probably a 1cm white head that didn't retain particularly well.. but I'm not complaining.
Smell is amazing- so much spices, it sets itself from any other pumpkin beer I've ever had. There is a lot of pumpkin gut presence, but the cinnamon and nutmeg make for an awesome combination of nose. Strong and balanced. I'm not going to lie, this is so much better than Pumking.
The flavour is really something else too. It's not as overwhelming sweet as Pumking (e.g. Dark Lord sweet) but is intense on the spices- lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, while being sweet enough to balance these out. This is really a great pumpkin beer.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied yet it feels so thick and flavourful. Very sweet maltiness with a nice refreshing finish that is very filling. No indication of the 8.5% ABV at all. Aftertaste is so much of the spices, its like pumpkin pie without the pumpkin. Its great.
Probably the best pumpkin beer out there. I reserve my final judgment as I haven't tried all the amazing pumpkin beers, but this one deserves the #1 spot for pumpkin beers that it's got right now. CCB, I love you guys and keep up the great work.
★ 1,477 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
75cl bottle shared with Doug and Matt today, 9/11/2013. Poured into a Cigar City snifter. Going to have to preface this review by saying that this is rated vs other pumpkin beers, and not necessarily overall. Review #206.
Looks fairly decent, a clear brown-orange mixed body with good carbonation but not overwhelming. The head was probably a 1cm white head that didn't retain particularly well.. but I'm not complaining.
Smell is amazing- so much spices, it sets itself from any other pumpkin beer I've ever had. There is a lot of pumpkin gut presence, but the cinnamon and nutmeg make for an awesome combination of nose. Strong and balanced. I'm not going to lie, this is so much better than Pumking.
The flavour is really something else too. It's not as overwhelming sweet as Pumking (e.g. Dark Lord sweet) but is intense on the spices- lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, while being sweet enough to balance these out. This is really a great pumpkin beer.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied yet it feels so thick and flavourful. Very sweet maltiness with a nice refreshing finish that is very filling. No indication of the 8.5% ABV at all. Aftertaste is so much of the spices, its like pumpkin pie without the pumpkin. Its great.
Probably the best pumpkin beer out there. I reserve my final judgment as I haven't tried all the amazing pumpkin beers, but this one deserves the #1 spot for pumpkin beers that it's got right now. CCB, I love you guys and keep up the great work.
★ 1,477 characters
4.01/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours an opaque blood red orange with a very small white soapy heady. Small off-white soapy cap lingers ever so slightly on the top of the goblet of beer. Some light soapy lacing remains as the relatively small head quickly dissipates.
Aromas begin like no other pumpkin beer I have ever had. This literally smells like a piece of Pumpkin pie candy (I don't think that even exists but I guess the closest thing would be those pumpkin candy-corn candies with spices added in). You get the bready crust, brown sugar sweetness, cooked pumpkin pie flesh and of course the traditional nutmeg, clove and lighter cinnamon and allspice. You can get a little phenolic yeast smell in there as well as it warms. It becomes a bit sweet as you attempt to consume the entire 750ml.
The taste directly follows the nose, which isn't totally a good thing. I get some banana yeast initially with some lesser clove notes also possibly from the yeast. Plenty of toasted graham cracker/bready notes with brown sugar and supported by a nice cinnamon/allspice lingering bite on the finish. As you make your way through the 750, the overall taste profile becomes a bit cloying and sweet, more so than any Pumpkin beer I have ever had. While this was beneficial on the nose to add to the whole Pumpkin Pie theme, it really hurts the flavor profile in the end.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. The finish teeters on being cloyingly sweet with a mild spice bite on the back end of the palate.
Overall this is a very good Pumpkin beer for me. Definitely on the sweeter side like many Cigar City beers tend to be, so if you are opposed to the sweeter end of beers, this may not be for you. That being said this is still quite impressive, recommended and worth seeking out for fans of this style.
★ 1,796 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours an opaque blood red orange with a very small white soapy heady. Small off-white soapy cap lingers ever so slightly on the top of the goblet of beer. Some light soapy lacing remains as the relatively small head quickly dissipates.
Aromas begin like no other pumpkin beer I have ever had. This literally smells like a piece of Pumpkin pie candy (I don't think that even exists but I guess the closest thing would be those pumpkin candy-corn candies with spices added in). You get the bready crust, brown sugar sweetness, cooked pumpkin pie flesh and of course the traditional nutmeg, clove and lighter cinnamon and allspice. You can get a little phenolic yeast smell in there as well as it warms. It becomes a bit sweet as you attempt to consume the entire 750ml.
The taste directly follows the nose, which isn't totally a good thing. I get some banana yeast initially with some lesser clove notes also possibly from the yeast. Plenty of toasted graham cracker/bready notes with brown sugar and supported by a nice cinnamon/allspice lingering bite on the finish. As you make your way through the 750, the overall taste profile becomes a bit cloying and sweet, more so than any Pumpkin beer I have ever had. While this was beneficial on the nose to add to the whole Pumpkin Pie theme, it really hurts the flavor profile in the end.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. The finish teeters on being cloyingly sweet with a mild spice bite on the back end of the palate.
Overall this is a very good Pumpkin beer for me. Definitely on the sweeter side like many Cigar City beers tend to be, so if you are opposed to the sweeter end of beers, this may not be for you. That being said this is still quite impressive, recommended and worth seeking out for fans of this style.
★ 1,796 characters
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours an amber hue with a translucent clarity. Nose expresses nutmeg, clove, peppery notes and a hint of ethanol. Taste consistent with nose - what I like about this beer is that the spice profile is not in your face. Mouthfeel is light-medium with an even carbonation and a slight acidity. Overall, a solid pumpkin beer. Generally not a style in my wheelhouse; however, I enjoyed this one. Definitely in my top three for the style thus far.
★ 446 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours an amber hue with a translucent clarity. Nose expresses nutmeg, clove, peppery notes and a hint of ethanol. Taste consistent with nose - what I like about this beer is that the spice profile is not in your face. Mouthfeel is light-medium with an even carbonation and a slight acidity. Overall, a solid pumpkin beer. Generally not a style in my wheelhouse; however, I enjoyed this one. Definitely in my top three for the style thus far.
★ 446 characters
3.55/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to my cousin from Tampa for getting me this. Reviewed from notes on Christmas Eve.
A- Dark brown body poured into a pint glass with some red around the edges. Creamy off white head forms and a nice ring does too. Decent cap retention and a few spots of lace here and there.
S- Pumpkin, nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon. Dark fruit and raisin as well as some toasted brown malts. Medium spice level.
T- More like a pie here with a sweet, somewhat dessert creamy feel. Spice like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger at a moderate level. Dark fruit is slightly medicinal. Pumpkin, toasted malts and brown sugar hints round it all out.
MF- Creamy and fairly thick body. Carbonation has a silky feel and is on the lower-medium level. A bit of alcohol warmth.
Solid for a higher ABV pumpkin ale. Not too spicy and a pretty good balance.
★ 830 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to my cousin from Tampa for getting me this. Reviewed from notes on Christmas Eve.
A- Dark brown body poured into a pint glass with some red around the edges. Creamy off white head forms and a nice ring does too. Decent cap retention and a few spots of lace here and there.
S- Pumpkin, nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon. Dark fruit and raisin as well as some toasted brown malts. Medium spice level.
T- More like a pie here with a sweet, somewhat dessert creamy feel. Spice like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger at a moderate level. Dark fruit is slightly medicinal. Pumpkin, toasted malts and brown sugar hints round it all out.
MF- Creamy and fairly thick body. Carbonation has a silky feel and is on the lower-medium level. A bit of alcohol warmth.
Solid for a higher ABV pumpkin ale. Not too spicy and a pretty good balance.
★ 830 characters
3.03/5 rDev -28.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Reviewed from notes:
appearance: copper orange with a 1 finger off white head
smell: nutmeg, cinnamon,
taste: pumpkin spices, sweet, malts
mouthfeel: mild carbonation, thin to medium body
overall: rather disappointing the beer needed some more body in my opinion. glad I got to try it just doesn't stand up to the better pumpkin beers.
cheers,
The CPJ
★ 358 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Reviewed from notes:
appearance: copper orange with a 1 finger off white head
smell: nutmeg, cinnamon,
taste: pumpkin spices, sweet, malts
mouthfeel: mild carbonation, thin to medium body
overall: rather disappointing the beer needed some more body in my opinion. glad I got to try it just doesn't stand up to the better pumpkin beers.
cheers,
The CPJ
★ 358 characters
4.76/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
on-tap @ star bar in denver
A remarkably good pumpkin beer - really great balance. Liquefied pumpkin pie, vanilla creme, yam, cinnamon, nutmeg and other autumnal spices, nice touch of warmth from the booze, pie crust. I was very impressed by this one - wish I had access
★ 271 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
on-tap @ star bar in denver
A remarkably good pumpkin beer - really great balance. Liquefied pumpkin pie, vanilla creme, yam, cinnamon, nutmeg and other autumnal spices, nice touch of warmth from the booze, pie crust. I was very impressed by this one - wish I had access
★ 271 characters
4.86/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
750 ml capped bottle poured into a snifter
8.5% ABV,
A - Completely clouded, this deep chestnut brown beer has beautiful pumpkin orange highlights and maintains it's thick ivory head wonderfully, leaving dots of lace around the snifter.
S - Good Gourd smells familiar but has an aroma unlike any other pumpkin beer. This hefty brew incorporates enough pumpkin to make you think you poked your head inside one after you gutted old Jack. The spice, while smelling somewhat typical, has a fantastic twist; nutmeg is in the presence of Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican allspice, and Zanzibar cloves for a blend that sure to raise an eyebrow. And let's not forget the smooth and sweet caramel and toffee base. Absolutely wonderful.
T - How much difference does spice from another region make, you ask? Good Gourd is clearly similar to other pumpkin beers in many regards but the one thing that, from the first sip, immediately sets this beer apart is it's use of unique spices giving it incredible distinction. Beyond the spices, wonderful roasted pumpkin and sweet, sweet malt beef up the beer with sticky melted caramel pumpkin seed flavor.
M - Good Gourd is a hefty beer boasting 8.5% ABV but it's hidden very well behind a rich, full body and sweet maltiness that's balanced exceptionally by wonderful spice. This filling, pie-like beer is equally as smooth as a slice for a luscious and enjoyable sipping experience.
O - In a sea of pumpkin beers released all too early, Good Gourd stands head and shoulders above the crowd, with a wonderful familiarity like that pie your aunt always brings to Thanksgiving, but this time it's tweaked. Cigar City's use of intercontinental spice gives Good Gourd a truly one-of-a-kind aroma and flavor. If you can get it, make this the one must-try pumpkin beer of the season.
★ 1,808 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
750 ml capped bottle poured into a snifter
8.5% ABV,
A - Completely clouded, this deep chestnut brown beer has beautiful pumpkin orange highlights and maintains it's thick ivory head wonderfully, leaving dots of lace around the snifter.
S - Good Gourd smells familiar but has an aroma unlike any other pumpkin beer. This hefty brew incorporates enough pumpkin to make you think you poked your head inside one after you gutted old Jack. The spice, while smelling somewhat typical, has a fantastic twist; nutmeg is in the presence of Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican allspice, and Zanzibar cloves for a blend that sure to raise an eyebrow. And let's not forget the smooth and sweet caramel and toffee base. Absolutely wonderful.
T - How much difference does spice from another region make, you ask? Good Gourd is clearly similar to other pumpkin beers in many regards but the one thing that, from the first sip, immediately sets this beer apart is it's use of unique spices giving it incredible distinction. Beyond the spices, wonderful roasted pumpkin and sweet, sweet malt beef up the beer with sticky melted caramel pumpkin seed flavor.
M - Good Gourd is a hefty beer boasting 8.5% ABV but it's hidden very well behind a rich, full body and sweet maltiness that's balanced exceptionally by wonderful spice. This filling, pie-like beer is equally as smooth as a slice for a luscious and enjoyable sipping experience.
O - In a sea of pumpkin beers released all too early, Good Gourd stands head and shoulders above the crowd, with a wonderful familiarity like that pie your aunt always brings to Thanksgiving, but this time it's tweaked. Cigar City's use of intercontinental spice gives Good Gourd a truly one-of-a-kind aroma and flavor. If you can get it, make this the one must-try pumpkin beer of the season.
★ 1,808 characters
4.5/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a snifter. Enjoyed on Thanksgiving.
Appearance: Pours a medium brown with a reddish hue and leaves a finger of off-white head which slowly fades to a layer atop the beer.
Smell: Cinnamon, nutmeg, mild pumpkin. The spices are incredible and come through really well in the aroma. Mouth-watering.
Taste: Light pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, some malts. Decent amount of sweetness. Really tasty.
Mouth-feel: Nice medium body and medium carbonation. Fits the flavor profile very well. A bit sweet and sticky, but not too much.
Overall: I think this might be the perfect pumpkin beer (for me at least). Delicious spices, the right amount of "pumpkinness", right amount of sweet - just really delicious. This was a great beer to enjoy on Thanksgiving. See you again next year, Good Gourd.
★ 816 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a snifter. Enjoyed on Thanksgiving.
Appearance: Pours a medium brown with a reddish hue and leaves a finger of off-white head which slowly fades to a layer atop the beer.
Smell: Cinnamon, nutmeg, mild pumpkin. The spices are incredible and come through really well in the aroma. Mouth-watering.
Taste: Light pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, some malts. Decent amount of sweetness. Really tasty.
Mouth-feel: Nice medium body and medium carbonation. Fits the flavor profile very well. A bit sweet and sticky, but not too much.
Overall: I think this might be the perfect pumpkin beer (for me at least). Delicious spices, the right amount of "pumpkinness", right amount of sweet - just really delicious. This was a great beer to enjoy on Thanksgiving. See you again next year, Good Gourd.
★ 816 characters
4.08/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle purchased at the brewpub. Pours a deep dark reddish orange with a nice fluffy off white head with a slightly orange hue. Aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, maybe some sweet vanilla, and some faint pumpkin, sweet sugar, and some booze when I take a big whiff. Sweet pumpkin flavor and some cinnamon and clove spice. Lingering sweet vanilla cream and pumpkin is definite a highlight here. Finishes nice, medium carbonation. Would be even better if it weren’t 105 with the humidity outside. Neat beer even for non pumpkin beer fans.
★ 533 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle purchased at the brewpub. Pours a deep dark reddish orange with a nice fluffy off white head with a slightly orange hue. Aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, maybe some sweet vanilla, and some faint pumpkin, sweet sugar, and some booze when I take a big whiff. Sweet pumpkin flavor and some cinnamon and clove spice. Lingering sweet vanilla cream and pumpkin is definite a highlight here. Finishes nice, medium carbonation. Would be even better if it weren’t 105 with the humidity outside. Neat beer even for non pumpkin beer fans.
★ 533 characters
3.99/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bright copper color with a thin head with short retention and leaving a ring.
Nice aroma of pumpkin sweet, cloves, cinnamon, caramel and nutmeg.
Flavor with notes of cloves, pumpkin sweet, lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, some nuts and vanilla. Dry aftertaste with a lasting sweet spices note.
Medium body with appropriate carbonation. Alcohol of 8.5% is well disguised.
Likely the best pumpkin I had. It has a superior balance and it is more elegant than other counterparties with good spices complexity.
★ 499 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bright copper color with a thin head with short retention and leaving a ring.
Nice aroma of pumpkin sweet, cloves, cinnamon, caramel and nutmeg.
Flavor with notes of cloves, pumpkin sweet, lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, some nuts and vanilla. Dry aftertaste with a lasting sweet spices note.
Medium body with appropriate carbonation. Alcohol of 8.5% is well disguised.
Likely the best pumpkin I had. It has a superior balance and it is more elegant than other counterparties with good spices complexity.
★ 499 characters
4.33/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle courtesy of fthomasl pours a hazed candy apple color with an immense cap of off-white head. Nice retention and just a hint of lace.
Nose is red apples, cinnamon, sugar and maybe some nutmeg. Very much like apple pie.
Wow, this is really amazing. Tastes like someone put some Cool Whip, apple pie, pumpkin pie and a few cones of hops in a blender with maybe a few shots of whipped vodka. Mouthfeel is rich and velvety. Very nice.
★ 444 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle courtesy of fthomasl pours a hazed candy apple color with an immense cap of off-white head. Nice retention and just a hint of lace.
Nose is red apples, cinnamon, sugar and maybe some nutmeg. Very much like apple pie.
Wow, this is really amazing. Tastes like someone put some Cool Whip, apple pie, pumpkin pie and a few cones of hops in a blender with maybe a few shots of whipped vodka. Mouthfeel is rich and velvety. Very nice.
★ 444 characters
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
More pumpkin than spice, a good spice though. A good burnt/roasted cinnamon that makes for a great pie crust like flavor. Easily one of the best pumpkin beers around.
★ 166 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
More pumpkin than spice, a good spice though. A good burnt/roasted cinnamon that makes for a great pie crust like flavor. Easily one of the best pumpkin beers around.
★ 166 characters
4.27/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I reviewed this a while back and am just getting back to some tasting notes.
This beer is a hazed medium-orange color and forms a fluffy white head just over a finger tall. There's some substance to this one, as the sturdy head can attest to as well as the good, patchy lacing left behind by a thick foam about half the size of the original head that does fade further, but slowly.
This pumpkin beer is spiced but balance, something that can be difficult to achieve. Spices are not as though someone dumped some bottles from the cupboard, they're much more thoughtful. They balance with nice light sweetness and fleshy aromas. Cigar City could do bigger, but this is a great smell.
The same could be said for the flavor though, interestingly (especially for C.C.), it comes off as being a bit more muted than it could be. That doesn't mean it's not very good, that just keeps it from fantastic.
The body is medium, and this brew is smooth and creamy coming off a crisp bite. It really flows and fills the mouth without being too heavy.
This is another of the better pumpkin beers out there.
★ 1,091 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I reviewed this a while back and am just getting back to some tasting notes.
This beer is a hazed medium-orange color and forms a fluffy white head just over a finger tall. There's some substance to this one, as the sturdy head can attest to as well as the good, patchy lacing left behind by a thick foam about half the size of the original head that does fade further, but slowly.
This pumpkin beer is spiced but balance, something that can be difficult to achieve. Spices are not as though someone dumped some bottles from the cupboard, they're much more thoughtful. They balance with nice light sweetness and fleshy aromas. Cigar City could do bigger, but this is a great smell.
The same could be said for the flavor though, interestingly (especially for C.C.), it comes off as being a bit more muted than it could be. That doesn't mean it's not very good, that just keeps it from fantastic.
The body is medium, and this brew is smooth and creamy coming off a crisp bite. It really flows and fills the mouth without being too heavy.
This is another of the better pumpkin beers out there.
★ 1,091 characters
4.71/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
was shocked to find this locally the other day. supposedly got the last bottle of a single case that the shop got. we've always gotten cigar city, but never saw good gourd anywhere.
a - opened the bottle and filled my ccb snifter. beer poured a thin pumpkiny orange with a bubbly oily head that bubbled away quick. in the glass, the beer was lush and rich and transparent.
s - as soon as i opened the beer an AMAZING aroma filled the air. upon closer inspection...just marvelous. picture pumpking but better. pumpkin, cinnamon, apples...autumn.
t - wow, tastes just as good as it smells. very potpouri. festive. literally tastes like autumn. pumpkin, subtle balanced sweetness.
m - very smooth and medium bodied. booze is invisible.
o - overall, i think i may have just tasted the best pumpkin beer i've ever tried. it really is phenomenal...but if you don't like pumpkin beers, don't expect to like this one. here's hoping i see it again soon.
★ 949 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
was shocked to find this locally the other day. supposedly got the last bottle of a single case that the shop got. we've always gotten cigar city, but never saw good gourd anywhere.
a - opened the bottle and filled my ccb snifter. beer poured a thin pumpkiny orange with a bubbly oily head that bubbled away quick. in the glass, the beer was lush and rich and transparent.
s - as soon as i opened the beer an AMAZING aroma filled the air. upon closer inspection...just marvelous. picture pumpking but better. pumpkin, cinnamon, apples...autumn.
t - wow, tastes just as good as it smells. very potpouri. festive. literally tastes like autumn. pumpkin, subtle balanced sweetness.
m - very smooth and medium bodied. booze is invisible.
o - overall, i think i may have just tasted the best pumpkin beer i've ever tried. it really is phenomenal...but if you don't like pumpkin beers, don't expect to like this one. here's hoping i see it again soon.
★ 949 characters
4.12/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a hazy orange-brown with almost two fingers of tan head. Head fades to a collar pretty quickly, but leaves some lacing.
S - Nice aroma. A bit of sweetness, but not too sweet. Smells of a bit of pie crust, with some cinnamon and other pumpkin spices coming through. Also some subtly sweet pumpkin note and a bit of brown sugar.
T - All of the notes of the smell are there, but with a nice subtlety. Tastes of a nicely spiced beer up front, with the pumpkin coming later. I like that this isn't overly sweet, or overly spiced. All the elements of a pumpkin pie, but in good balance with each other, and with the malt profile.
M - Medium mouthfeel. Has the mouthfeel of a spiced lager. A bit of creaminess.
O - A very nice pumpkin beer, one of the better examples I've had. Not too sweet, not overly spiced. Just a nicely balanced flavor profile that has the spice elements of a good pumpkin beer in combination with more of an earthy pumpkin profile.
★ 962 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a hazy orange-brown with almost two fingers of tan head. Head fades to a collar pretty quickly, but leaves some lacing.
S - Nice aroma. A bit of sweetness, but not too sweet. Smells of a bit of pie crust, with some cinnamon and other pumpkin spices coming through. Also some subtly sweet pumpkin note and a bit of brown sugar.
T - All of the notes of the smell are there, but with a nice subtlety. Tastes of a nicely spiced beer up front, with the pumpkin coming later. I like that this isn't overly sweet, or overly spiced. All the elements of a pumpkin pie, but in good balance with each other, and with the malt profile.
M - Medium mouthfeel. Has the mouthfeel of a spiced lager. A bit of creaminess.
O - A very nice pumpkin beer, one of the better examples I've had. Not too sweet, not overly spiced. Just a nicely balanced flavor profile that has the spice elements of a good pumpkin beer in combination with more of an earthy pumpkin profile.
★ 962 characters
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Fairly orange colored beer with a little bit of brown on the edges. Moderate head that left some decent lace and spots on the sides.
S - Has some nice pumpkin notes with some cinnamon and nutmeg. Not a whole lot else to say, but pretty solid.
T - This is actually pretty nice. Some good pumpkin flavor with nice spice and caramel. Very smooth tasting with a bit of brown sugar.
M - Pretty nice carbonation, velvety, full bodied.
O - A nice beer for a pumpkin beer. Good flavor, not cloying. Would drink this occassionally without a problem.
★ 548 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Fairly orange colored beer with a little bit of brown on the edges. Moderate head that left some decent lace and spots on the sides.
S - Has some nice pumpkin notes with some cinnamon and nutmeg. Not a whole lot else to say, but pretty solid.
T - This is actually pretty nice. Some good pumpkin flavor with nice spice and caramel. Very smooth tasting with a bit of brown sugar.
M - Pretty nice carbonation, velvety, full bodied.
O - A nice beer for a pumpkin beer. Good flavor, not cloying. Would drink this occassionally without a problem.
★ 548 characters
3.85/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the Blind Tiger 9/15
Pours a orangy brown color with a minimal egg-shell colored head that quickly disipates into a barely there cap. Typical for imperial pumpkins.
The aroma is of a solid bready malt. The pumpkin spices are light, with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice making their presence known. There is also an odd spice that I wasn't able to put my finger on.
While the aroma was light, the pumpkin spice flavor was big. Big nutmeg and clove presence with cinnamon and nutmeg. There seemed to be some vanilla as well. Again there was a sweet spice that I couldn't quite get. There was an earthy quality to the brew and it finished with a tea like bitterness.
The feel was light to moderate with prickly carbonation. Sweet upfront but finishes lightly bitter and dry.
A good pumpkin ale, not great but surely didn't disappoint.
★ 844 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the Blind Tiger 9/15
Pours a orangy brown color with a minimal egg-shell colored head that quickly disipates into a barely there cap. Typical for imperial pumpkins.
The aroma is of a solid bready malt. The pumpkin spices are light, with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice making their presence known. There is also an odd spice that I wasn't able to put my finger on.
While the aroma was light, the pumpkin spice flavor was big. Big nutmeg and clove presence with cinnamon and nutmeg. There seemed to be some vanilla as well. Again there was a sweet spice that I couldn't quite get. There was an earthy quality to the brew and it finished with a tea like bitterness.
The feel was light to moderate with prickly carbonation. Sweet upfront but finishes lightly bitter and dry.
A good pumpkin ale, not great but surely didn't disappoint.
★ 844 characters
3.96/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A: pours orange with a finger of beige head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: pumpkin spices up front with creamy vanilla aromas followed by yam and pumpkin notes with a sweet bready aroma.
T: again, pumpkin spices at first with some vanilla flavors. Slightly bitter pumpkin and bread flavors follow. Very slight alcohol presence.
M: medium body with lowish carbonation, this beer is a little watery.
O: a good pumpkin ale that could use a creamier body and more depth of flavor. Still, it smells great and is tasty.
★ 535 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A: pours orange with a finger of beige head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: pumpkin spices up front with creamy vanilla aromas followed by yam and pumpkin notes with a sweet bready aroma.
T: again, pumpkin spices at first with some vanilla flavors. Slightly bitter pumpkin and bread flavors follow. Very slight alcohol presence.
M: medium body with lowish carbonation, this beer is a little watery.
O: a good pumpkin ale that could use a creamier body and more depth of flavor. Still, it smells great and is tasty.
★ 535 characters
3.8/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - pours a nice orange color without too much of a head
S - nose is a little weak, however there is some light spice and subtle pumpkin
T - starts off with sweet pumpkin flavor with a bit of caramel malts. These fade to a light spice flavor, predominantly cinnamon and all spice. This strikes a nice balance between the pumpkin flavor and the spice.
M - medium body that leaves a dry finish from the spices
D - pretty solid pumpkin ale here. As mentioned, good flavor profile but a little lighter on the nose and palate than I would have hoped.
★ 549 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - pours a nice orange color without too much of a head
S - nose is a little weak, however there is some light spice and subtle pumpkin
T - starts off with sweet pumpkin flavor with a bit of caramel malts. These fade to a light spice flavor, predominantly cinnamon and all spice. This strikes a nice balance between the pumpkin flavor and the spice.
M - medium body that leaves a dry finish from the spices
D - pretty solid pumpkin ale here. As mentioned, good flavor profile but a little lighter on the nose and palate than I would have hoped.
★ 549 characters
Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale from Cigar City Brewing
4.23
out of 5
based on 1,324 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
The beer comes in a deep amber orange color.
The aroma huge of sweet pumpkin, spices, cinnamon, tons of sweetness of a pumpkin crust, and some brown sugariness.
The flavor follows with this perfect melding of sweetness, pumpkin, a hint of spices, and then a creamy mouthfeel to back it up. There's almost this whip cream pumpkin flavor that combines with it that gives it a bigger body than it should have. What this beer does so well is that it's not pretending to be pumpkin pie, but really has that punch of juicy fruit real pumpkin in the front.
This really represents a perfect pumpkin pie in a beer. Pumking does a good job, but is a bit cloying on the sweetness. This has the perfect balance that really makes this the best pumpkin beer out there.
★ 757 characters