Carriage Ride
Bear Island Brewing Company

a downright impressive pumpkin ale, apparently based on the brewers grandmothers pumpkin cookie recipe. there is a lot to like about this, and for me, the primary thing is the base beer. so many pumpkin beers are blondes or ambers or whatever, basic at their core, but this is a cool belgian strong ale. its neat that its strong, but its even cooler that the yeast is happening like this, its estery and bright, and has some compatible spice character to whatever spices are added, really a thoughtful and intelligently built brew, the belgian yeast makes it for me, almost gives a little candy element to it as well. the pumpkin can be appreciated as squash, with a nice sweet roasted complexion and some necessary earthiness, obviously real, natural, nice on that front. its also not over spiced, i get some clove and some vanilla, but this isnt a cinnamon or mulling spice bomb like so many of them are. the alcohol is warming but not hot, the beer feels cozy overall, and the long finish with some residual sugar is no big deal, i actually welcome it in a beer like this, brown sugar more than grain sugar to me. delicious overall, a really unique take on a style that can often be samey, really solid, maybe my favorite pumpkin beer of the fall so far!

edit: 2018 vintage on tap two years later last night, really solid. some sweetness has fallen out, some earthy bitterness has come up, the yeast has continued to work, and its now effervescent and bright, super impressive that something like this has done so well over time. a really different fall seasonal and one of our best local fall ales here in boise, just a treat to drink!

Draft at BitterCreek. Pleasant surprise, pumpkin flavors and velvety texture. Aroma is on the pumpkin pie spice spectrum, taste leans more on the pumpkin, and the spiciness associated with the Abbey tripel. Super smooth, slick, finishes with a tickle.