Saison Du Pump
ShawneeCraft Brewing Company

 

 

Thanks to Deuane for sharing a growler of this rarely seen (brand new?) style from a new PA brewpub. Enjoyed on 11/16/09.

A - Poured a light hazy golden/orange body with a slim white head that reduced to a thin, swirly retention and left minimal lacing.

S - Very spicy aroma right off the bat with a dominant cinnamon character as well as hints of ginger, mild clove and warm autumn spices. There is also an underlying citrus character with some earthy notes and a slight bubblegum sweetness.

T - Flavor is big on pumpkin spices with a perdominant cinnamon character and a hint of ginger sharpness. Malt is bready and biscuity. Some roasted pumpkin flavor also emerges, but is overtaken by the spices in the long run.

M - Medium bodied with a light syrupy texture, although kind of thin and watery overall. Finish is warm and spicy on the palate with a minimal hop bite.

D - The spicy characteristics of the saison work well with the pumpkin spices, but ultimately there is not a lot of the requisite funk and earthiness that you would ultimately expect to find in a saison. Still, this was an interesting take on the style and quite enjoyable overall.

Off white almost creamy head, about an inch high.
A nose of cinnamon and roasted mace.
The taste starts with the spice then let's out asubtle sweet pumpkin flavor.the head leaves a thin lace on the glass. The mouthfeel is excelent with small refreshing carbonation. There is just enough hops to balance the sweetness.while I wasvery pleased that the strong spice in the nose did notlead to an overpowering cinnamon, nutmeg flavor that often hangs around way to long in the finish of many other pumpkin ales.The all American pumpkin blended perfectly with the Belgium Saison style.Ithink I found my Thanksgiving brew for the year.

WOW. This was the first time i have ever tried or even heard of a pumpkin saison. The first thing that grabs me is that distintive pumkin spice smell. The beer settles beautifully with an off white pillowy head. About half way through your first sip you discover the pumpkin. There are distintive notes of spices in this beer.

I have to admit, I did not know what to expect from a pumpkin ale. My limited familiarity with them tended towards sweeter, maltier seasonal offerings not normally to my liking. I am glad I tried this beer because my preconceived notions were off base.

The best way I can sum up this beer is to use the words of a friend who enjoyed one with me -- this saison "tastes like fall."

The slight cloudiness and the pale yellow color catches your notice first. The glass brimmed with a light, pillowy froth and produced a distinctive light fall bouquet. To my taste I distinctly noted nutmeg in the smell and taste and very little of the sweet pumpkin pie flavor.

This beer adds a nice seasonal touch to Shawnee Craft's lineup. I hope it returns next year.

Recommended.

Can't say there are many pumpkin saisons out there so this should be a treat. On tap in the lower level of The Gem & Keystone. The saison appears a hazy muted golden amber color with about a finger of fluffy but lingering off white foam. Aromas and flavors consist of roasted pumpkin meat, nutty notes, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, slight tartness, maybe some oakiness, some sweetness comes through as well. Decent body, dry and somewhat crisp and nicely carbonated. Looking forward to enjoying the growler I brought home and editing my review if necessary.