Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale | Buffalo Bill's Brewery
Brewed by:
Buffalo Bill's Brewery
California, United States
buffalobillsbrewery.com
Style: Pumpkin Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-01-2001
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,201 | Reviews: 639
Reviews by alexrichman:
1.9/5 rDev -36.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass
A - The brew produced a 1-finger head that quickly dissapeared into absolutely nothing. What was left was a clear, orange-straw colored brew.
S - Sweet and spicy with a hint of malt ... reminds me of egg nog or pumpkin pie...
T - Much like the smell, the taste is very sweet and spicey up front. It finishes with a weak malt profile although the spicey pumpkin-pie taste sticks with you.
M - Light, carbonated, feels a lot like soda
D - If you can tolerate the pumpkin taste the beer is light and drinkable.
All in all this is a pretty awful beer. It's interesting but not in a way most enthusiasts would find enjoyable. A huge dissapointment for me.
701 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass
A - The brew produced a 1-finger head that quickly dissapeared into absolutely nothing. What was left was a clear, orange-straw colored brew.
S - Sweet and spicy with a hint of malt ... reminds me of egg nog or pumpkin pie...
T - Much like the smell, the taste is very sweet and spicey up front. It finishes with a weak malt profile although the spicey pumpkin-pie taste sticks with you.
M - Light, carbonated, feels a lot like soda
D - If you can tolerate the pumpkin taste the beer is light and drinkable.
All in all this is a pretty awful beer. It's interesting but not in a way most enthusiasts would find enjoyable. A huge dissapointment for me.
701 characters
More User Reviews:
4.28/5 rDev +43.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Trying this one on for the first time before a gig at an Oktoberfest later this evening. Served in a nonic pint.
Appearance : It pours a tea/root beer colored body, like leaves trampled in the mud. The yellow-grey head is initially 2 fingers but recedes within a minute to a silky ring on top. Lacing is sparse and barely hanging on. Opacity is 80%.
Smell : I would say this is probably the most honest representation of a pumpkin ale from the nose. All of the elements are here right off the bat - pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even some brown sugar and maple syrup. It all comes together in the nose for me. I can't improve on it whatsoever.
Taste : Delicious pumpkin flavor, with pumpkin pie filling and flaky crust, followed by clove and nutmeg, cinnamon, a pinch of sappy brown sugar, ending slightly spiced/bitter with coriander. There is a faint hint of diacetyl in here which I can't say is very rewarding, but the rest of the flavors cover it up pretty well.
Feel : Medium bodied is this beer's home. Appropriate carbonation, delectable and balanced creaminess. The finish is slightly buzzing and nipped.
Overall : When I put this to my lips my hands went up in the air as if to say "why the poor ratings?". I don't know what people look for in a Pumpkin ale, but this one nails it for me. I've had plenty of Pumpkin ales in my time, many of them worthy of a drain pour. This is not one of them. I intend on finishing...nay, enjoying this one till its gone. After that, who knows, I'll probably buy some more.
1,533 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Trying this one on for the first time before a gig at an Oktoberfest later this evening. Served in a nonic pint.
Appearance : It pours a tea/root beer colored body, like leaves trampled in the mud. The yellow-grey head is initially 2 fingers but recedes within a minute to a silky ring on top. Lacing is sparse and barely hanging on. Opacity is 80%.
Smell : I would say this is probably the most honest representation of a pumpkin ale from the nose. All of the elements are here right off the bat - pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even some brown sugar and maple syrup. It all comes together in the nose for me. I can't improve on it whatsoever.
Taste : Delicious pumpkin flavor, with pumpkin pie filling and flaky crust, followed by clove and nutmeg, cinnamon, a pinch of sappy brown sugar, ending slightly spiced/bitter with coriander. There is a faint hint of diacetyl in here which I can't say is very rewarding, but the rest of the flavors cover it up pretty well.
Feel : Medium bodied is this beer's home. Appropriate carbonation, delectable and balanced creaminess. The finish is slightly buzzing and nipped.
Overall : When I put this to my lips my hands went up in the air as if to say "why the poor ratings?". I don't know what people look for in a Pumpkin ale, but this one nails it for me. I've had plenty of Pumpkin ales in my time, many of them worthy of a drain pour. This is not one of them. I intend on finishing...nay, enjoying this one till its gone. After that, who knows, I'll probably buy some more.
1,533 characters
4.65/5 rDev +56%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
All the bad reviews made me sign up just to write an opposing view! I had a 2001 edition of this beer, thought it was outstanding. Got about a half dozen converts inside of a week. I'm not real big on colors, the orangey appearance is neither here nor there. The aroma made me expect a sweeter taste, but happily, you don't get that. However, there's not the pumpkin flavor I was expecting, either. Here's the deal: If you like cinnamon, and you like beer, this is for you. Don't buy the 6-pack if it's un-refrigerated. I could see the spices breaking down in a very short period of time at room temperature.
If you are the type that has to psychoanalyze a beer for every component/ingredient it contains, you may be disappointed. I don't think that's what Buffalo Bill's Brewing intends for this beer. Just drink it, let the fall/holiday memories take you away, smells in the kitchen, the turning of the leaves, childhood Christmas remembrances mingles with the present. This beer was an experience as much as a flavor.
And I promise future reviews won't be so corny. Really. :-)
1,086 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
All the bad reviews made me sign up just to write an opposing view! I had a 2001 edition of this beer, thought it was outstanding. Got about a half dozen converts inside of a week. I'm not real big on colors, the orangey appearance is neither here nor there. The aroma made me expect a sweeter taste, but happily, you don't get that. However, there's not the pumpkin flavor I was expecting, either. Here's the deal: If you like cinnamon, and you like beer, this is for you. Don't buy the 6-pack if it's un-refrigerated. I could see the spices breaking down in a very short period of time at room temperature.
If you are the type that has to psychoanalyze a beer for every component/ingredient it contains, you may be disappointed. I don't think that's what Buffalo Bill's Brewing intends for this beer. Just drink it, let the fall/holiday memories take you away, smells in the kitchen, the turning of the leaves, childhood Christmas remembrances mingles with the present. This beer was an experience as much as a flavor.
And I promise future reviews won't be so corny. Really. :-)
1,086 characters
2.96/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Medium orange-amber with a soft white head that quickly dissipates to near nothing and leaves minimal lace. The beer smells like freshly baked pumpkin pie (fragrant allspice and baked pumpkin). It's a wonderful aroma that holds great promise. Too bad the taste doesn't measure up to the nose.
The flavors are, again, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices, but the beer is too sweet. There's also something mildly unpleasant in the finish that I can't identify. The mouthfeel strikes me as unsupported and verging on watery.
At least the label is nice and festive. It put me in the mood for a good autumn brew. The smell is enjoyable, but beer is made for drinking. Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale doesn't quite make the grade.
718 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Medium orange-amber with a soft white head that quickly dissipates to near nothing and leaves minimal lace. The beer smells like freshly baked pumpkin pie (fragrant allspice and baked pumpkin). It's a wonderful aroma that holds great promise. Too bad the taste doesn't measure up to the nose.
The flavors are, again, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices, but the beer is too sweet. There's also something mildly unpleasant in the finish that I can't identify. The mouthfeel strikes me as unsupported and verging on watery.
At least the label is nice and festive. It put me in the mood for a good autumn brew. The smell is enjoyable, but beer is made for drinking. Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale doesn't quite make the grade.
718 characters
4/5 rDev +34.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance This one is dingy orange in color (like a pumpkin, of course) with a big head that is white as the driven snow.
Smell The giant spicy cinnamon surely brings to mind Halloween. The malts and sugars come together nicely to produce a very pumpkin-like aroma.
Taste Yes, this one reminds me of a tasty pumpkin pie. They hit the nail right on the head with this flavor profile.
Mouthfeel This medium-bodied ale is creamy in the mouth with a dry finish and laden with powdery spices.
Drinkability This is a big sipping ale perfect for those cool fall evenings.
592 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance This one is dingy orange in color (like a pumpkin, of course) with a big head that is white as the driven snow.
Smell The giant spicy cinnamon surely brings to mind Halloween. The malts and sugars come together nicely to produce a very pumpkin-like aroma.
Taste Yes, this one reminds me of a tasty pumpkin pie. They hit the nail right on the head with this flavor profile.
Mouthfeel This medium-bodied ale is creamy in the mouth with a dry finish and laden with powdery spices.
Drinkability This is a big sipping ale perfect for those cool fall evenings.
592 characters
3.35/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
2.9/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.25/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
This beer pours very little head and what's there dissipates quickly. It is very light and refreshing with some sweetness and obviously pumpkin, but very mild doses of both and an even more subtle hint of cinnamon. It finishes clean. By itself it was underwhelming but I can imagine it would be great paired with spicy food or on a hot day.
340 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
This beer pours very little head and what's there dissipates quickly. It is very light and refreshing with some sweetness and obviously pumpkin, but very mild doses of both and an even more subtle hint of cinnamon. It finishes clean. By itself it was underwhelming but I can imagine it would be great paired with spicy food or on a hot day.
340 characters
2.27/5 rDev -23.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
This one should just be a cinnamon beer. It poured a copper color with a small fizzy white head that did not last long at all. The first thing I could smell was the cinnamon and that's pretty much all I could detect. The taste definantly reflected the smell and was dominated by cinamon flavors with just a touch of malt flavour in the background. The thing that put me off was that there was not much "beer" flavour at all and it seemed like I was drinking something overly sweet. Will not be drinking this one again.
518 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
This one should just be a cinnamon beer. It poured a copper color with a small fizzy white head that did not last long at all. The first thing I could smell was the cinnamon and that's pretty much all I could detect. The taste definantly reflected the smell and was dominated by cinamon flavors with just a touch of malt flavour in the background. The thing that put me off was that there was not much "beer" flavour at all and it seemed like I was drinking something overly sweet. Will not be drinking this one again.
518 characters
2.58/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Ginger beer. Ginger ginger ginger. There's some cinnamon underneath the ginger. No pumpkin to be found anywhere, unfortunately.
Much like Shipyard's pumpkin ale is really a cinnamon flavored beer, Buffalo Bill's pumpkin ale is really a ginger flavored beer.
I also get some kind of strange funky aftertaste... kind of smokey.
Um, not good. Not good at all. Better than Shipyard's pumpkin, but that's not saying much.
425 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Ginger beer. Ginger ginger ginger. There's some cinnamon underneath the ginger. No pumpkin to be found anywhere, unfortunately.
Much like Shipyard's pumpkin ale is really a cinnamon flavored beer, Buffalo Bill's pumpkin ale is really a ginger flavored beer.
I also get some kind of strange funky aftertaste... kind of smokey.
Um, not good. Not good at all. Better than Shipyard's pumpkin, but that's not saying much.
425 characters
2.89/5 rDev -3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I've had some decent pumpkin ales. This isn't one of them. Hazy dark orange color with a medium white head that quickly disappears. Very spicy aroma, mostly clove. The taste is spice, a little pumpkin (although I think that's stretching it). Very muted. I could drink one or two of these, but I'd have to feed the rest to someone else.
335 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I've had some decent pumpkin ales. This isn't one of them. Hazy dark orange color with a medium white head that quickly disappears. Very spicy aroma, mostly clove. The taste is spice, a little pumpkin (although I think that's stretching it). Very muted. I could drink one or two of these, but I'd have to feed the rest to someone else.
335 characters
3.09/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.7/5 rDev +24.2%
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. The label lists the abv at 5.2 % abv.
Appearance: The body has a cloudy, deep orange amber color with a small quick fading head on top. The head fades out completely despite lots of visible carbonation rushing to the surface.
Smell: It has some light spice and light squash with a light fruity candy like maltiness. Overall light but balanced.
Taste / Palate: Like its aroma it has a light body with thin pumpkin pie spice and light squash like pumpkin notes. Hop flavor and bitterness are very low. The palate is light and well carbonated making it easy to drunk. Notes: It is definitely not the most complex pumpkin beer but there are no unpleasant or off flavors. The highlight to this beer is that I could drink quite a few of these in a session unlike some of the heavier spiced pumpkin ales.
881 characters
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. The label lists the abv at 5.2 % abv.
Appearance: The body has a cloudy, deep orange amber color with a small quick fading head on top. The head fades out completely despite lots of visible carbonation rushing to the surface.
Smell: It has some light spice and light squash with a light fruity candy like maltiness. Overall light but balanced.
Taste / Palate: Like its aroma it has a light body with thin pumpkin pie spice and light squash like pumpkin notes. Hop flavor and bitterness are very low. The palate is light and well carbonated making it easy to drunk. Notes: It is definitely not the most complex pumpkin beer but there are no unpleasant or off flavors. The highlight to this beer is that I could drink quite a few of these in a session unlike some of the heavier spiced pumpkin ales.
881 characters
3.01/5 rDev +1%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
12oz brown bottle brewed by Pyramid Ales for Buffalo Bill's Brewery.
Fizzled head leads to almost no lacing at all. Orange haze show some bubbles racing to the top. The pumpkin and spice aroma are present with clove more in the front. Slick and crisp wet body. Spice is there for sure, suggestions of cinnamon and clove are easy to pick out. Bit of pumpkin flavor is layered on the dry and mono-tone maltiness. Minimal hops and a little watery in the semi-dry finish.
I have to wonder how different the bottle version is from the actual source. It has the bells and whistles for the style but the beer component struggles a bit.
630 characters
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
12oz brown bottle brewed by Pyramid Ales for Buffalo Bill's Brewery.
Fizzled head leads to almost no lacing at all. Orange haze show some bubbles racing to the top. The pumpkin and spice aroma are present with clove more in the front. Slick and crisp wet body. Spice is there for sure, suggestions of cinnamon and clove are easy to pick out. Bit of pumpkin flavor is layered on the dry and mono-tone maltiness. Minimal hops and a little watery in the semi-dry finish.
I have to wonder how different the bottle version is from the actual source. It has the bells and whistles for the style but the beer component struggles a bit.
630 characters
2.75/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Pours a clear, copper amber body with a shortlived, offwhite head that leaves minimal, collar lace.
Immense aroma of pumpkin pie spices in the nose.
Mouthfeel is thin and watery, but has ample carbonation.
Pie spices and some caramel malt dominate the taste. Hops provide a herbal bitterness. Plenty of spicy nutmeg, ginger, mace, and allspice are tasted, but the thin body is watery.
Easy drinkability due to the thin body, but this is not an asset here. Not very substantial except for the nice pumpkin pie spices.
520 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Pours a clear, copper amber body with a shortlived, offwhite head that leaves minimal, collar lace.
Immense aroma of pumpkin pie spices in the nose.
Mouthfeel is thin and watery, but has ample carbonation.
Pie spices and some caramel malt dominate the taste. Hops provide a herbal bitterness. Plenty of spicy nutmeg, ginger, mace, and allspice are tasted, but the thin body is watery.
Easy drinkability due to the thin body, but this is not an asset here. Not very substantial except for the nice pumpkin pie spices.
520 characters
3.6/5 rDev +20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.
Appearance: 1/2 inch head, orange-brown in color, clear, high carbonation
Smell: nutmeg, toasted malt, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice
Taste: cinnamon, clove, followed by pale malt that leads to pumpkin spiciness at the end.
Mouthfeel: sweet but not overly so, high carbonation, medium-light bodied
Drinkability: A nice and solid pumpkin ale. Not boundary pushing, yet more complex then several i have had this year. I would get a six of this.
488 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.
Appearance: 1/2 inch head, orange-brown in color, clear, high carbonation
Smell: nutmeg, toasted malt, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice
Taste: cinnamon, clove, followed by pale malt that leads to pumpkin spiciness at the end.
Mouthfeel: sweet but not overly so, high carbonation, medium-light bodied
Drinkability: A nice and solid pumpkin ale. Not boundary pushing, yet more complex then several i have had this year. I would get a six of this.
488 characters
3/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The beer pours an orange color with a small white head. The aroma is grain and cinnamon, with a few other assorted spices thrown in. The flavor is similar. I get a lot of nutmeg and cinnamon notes, as well as a hint of cinnamon. Overall, the beer is lacking in the aroma and flavor and doesn't stand up to the better pumpkin beers. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
372 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The beer pours an orange color with a small white head. The aroma is grain and cinnamon, with a few other assorted spices thrown in. The flavor is similar. I get a lot of nutmeg and cinnamon notes, as well as a hint of cinnamon. Overall, the beer is lacking in the aroma and flavor and doesn't stand up to the better pumpkin beers. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
372 characters
1.55/5 rDev -48%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1
Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass.
Almost no head. More of a thick lace that dissipates quickly atop a dark golden brown brew. Lots of bubbles inside brew.
Smell is obviously pumpkin like - sort of on the sweet side.
Taste is very little pumpkin (or spice for that matter), more of just a beer taste. Taste more like a mass market pumpkin candy. Nothing great about this beer, yet it seems to be a popular seller. I do taste a tad bit of nutmeg, as well.
Mouth feel is fine if you can stand the bad taste, and I guess it is easily drinkable if you like drinking bad beer that has the taste of a truck stop pumpkin pie.
629 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1
Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass.
Almost no head. More of a thick lace that dissipates quickly atop a dark golden brown brew. Lots of bubbles inside brew.
Smell is obviously pumpkin like - sort of on the sweet side.
Taste is very little pumpkin (or spice for that matter), more of just a beer taste. Taste more like a mass market pumpkin candy. Nothing great about this beer, yet it seems to be a popular seller. I do taste a tad bit of nutmeg, as well.
Mouth feel is fine if you can stand the bad taste, and I guess it is easily drinkable if you like drinking bad beer that has the taste of a truck stop pumpkin pie.
629 characters
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale from Buffalo Bill's Brewery
Beer rating:
2.98 out of
5 with
1,201 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
In English, explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.