Pumpkin Ale
Lake Placid Craft Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

my favorite pumpkin beer so far this year. I had no idea lake placed did a pumpkin brew. enjoyed on tap at tony harpers in old forge new York. it has a rich amber color, much darker than other pumpkin orange colored ales ive seen. big white head that lasts about halfway through a pint. the depth of the color translates into a complex aromatic experience as well. lots of red malt intensity without being sweet, more spice than pumpkin, but not so clove heavy. a touch of cinnamon and vanilla are confirmed on the first sip, and the bigger malt gives it a warming quality that's perfect for chilly autumn Adirondack nights. dry rather than sweet is the feel, and really active carbonation and a lower abv for a fall beer keep this sessionable. I think the balance is what I most enjoyed about this. I would love to see it bottled, It might surpass the Saranac in my fridge if it did.

 

 

Visited the brewery while in Lake Placid. They had the pumpkin ale on tap so I decided to bring home a growler (I've had plenty of Ubu Ale on tap in the north country on other visits). I like that they are still running their pumpkin ale mid-November (and I believe until December when their winter lager is released). I am sick of seeing winter beers already out on the shelves and pumpkin ales a memory by the end of October. Pumpkin ale prime time is October-November, at least in my opinion.

A - Pours a hazy ruby-amber with a very light head. The lacing is light and not very sticky, and the head never builds beyond barely covering the surface of the liquid.

S - Subdued, more squash/pumpkin than you normally find in a pumpkin ale though. The normal spices are there but much less prevalent.

T - It is mellow, yet has a nice balance between squashy pumpkin flavor and spice, unlike many pumpkin ales which tend to taste too spicy and don't have enough squash flavor. Light spiciness, mainly cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little brown sugar. Good bready malt backbone. Has a natural tasting grassy or earthy character to it which perhaps comes from the natural pumpkin used. Leaves a lingering taste of squash on the tongue, and not spice. Lighter than most pumpkin ales but far more balanced.

M - Very smooth and light bodied. Light carbonation.

D - The alcohol is light on this one too, I believe the menu said 4.7%. Very sessionable and not too sweet or spicy. Finally a pumpkin ale I could session around a campfire!

Overall, pretty decent. Not as in your face with the spices as others, but has more squash flavor and is very well balanced. It is just what I am looking for in a pumpkin ale, and a nice change of pace.