Pope's Imperial Pumpkin Ale - Bourbon Barrel Aged
Millersburg Brewing Company

 

From the 12 oz can in a snifter I believe from Bluejacket74.
This lurker in the fridge pours a red tinged copper color with a nice
head of white foam that settles to a thick ring. Nose of light pumpkin,
bourbon, allspice, nutmeg, and brown sugars with roasted malt notes
as well as a touch of raisin. Flavors follow with some light additions;
dark brown sugars, pumpkin, allspice, nutmeg, light clove, hints of cherry,
light nutty malt notes, light bourbon, and touches of caramel and toffee.
Decent mouth feel; medium body, light carbonation, and a sweet lightly
warming finish.

Overall---solid for a pumpkin brew!

Cheers

L: Dark brown and opaque. Not much visible for carbonation.

S: Not a standard beer. For someone who enjoys whiskey.....

T: They say that the bourbon barrels these are aged in have variable amounts of bourbon in them. It is definitely present and in no small amount. It tastes like something you'd have over the holidays otherwise.

F: Warm. Light.

O: Strong and tasty.

12oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a hazy auburn with some burnt orange hues; some sediment but it's hard to see; small light khaki head that fades leaving solid retention and lacing. The aromas have some caramel, toffee and spices along with some hints of bourbon. Some sweet potatoes and squash. Some raisins and dark fruit. Lots of malts. The aromas really open up as it warms. The aromas are more complex than intense. The flavors basically follow the nose. More caramel and toffee along with some mild hints of vanilla. Some red apples in the mix. The spices are subtle and balanced. The bourbon does its thing without dominating. The bourbon does a nice job of accentuating everything else that's going on. Low bitterness. Subtle sweetness, but nothing crazy. The bourbon especially comes through in the finish giving it a mild warmth, but it's not hot or boozy at all. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of full-bodied with active carbonation. It's sharp, slightly fluffy, smooth and dangerously drinkable.

This is a pretty solid barrel-aged pumpkin ale. It's balanced, but still bold. I know I'm drinking this in May, but the weather today is currently like a perfect cool autumn day, so it's fitting. I like this one more than their regular Imperial pumpkin ale, based off of memory. It becomes even more enjoyable as it warms up a bit. Well done.