Pumpkin Pie Cream Ale
Shades Brewing

Poured into an Elysian pumpkin snifter. Pours a hazy, medium orange with a creamy two finger white head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of pale malt, clove, mild pumpkin and vague mixed pumpkin pie spicing. Flavor is pale malt, fruity kveik yeast, mixed spices with hints of cinnamon and clove and mild pumpkin. A light pumpkin flavor lingers after the taste. Medium bodied with light creaminess. No surprises here, this tastes exactly as I'd expect a light, well attenuated ale brewed with some pumpkin and kveik yeast. There is classic cream ale light lager body, but the kviek produces a lighter, drier feel. There are faint fruity notes to the profile, probably from the yeast and very light pumpkin character. Fortunately, the spicing is also lightly handled. I want real pumpkin flavor in my pumpkin ales and this barely meets that goal, very muted throughout most the taste; fortunately there is a lingering light gourd flavor that tastes authentic in the finish. There is a strong clove note in the aroma, but that flavor is well balanced and light in the taste. Not my style of pumpkin ale, but should appeal to those who like a lighter ale and just a touch of pumpkin. It is refreshing.