Pumking - Rum Barrel Aged
Southern Tier Brewing Company

Pumking - Rum Barrel AgedPumking - Rum Barrel Aged
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From:
Southern Tier Brewing Company
 
New York, United States
Style:
Pumpkin Beer
ABV:
13.4%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.02 | pDev: 12.44%
Reviews:
134
Ratings:
563
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 24, 2022
Added:
Nov 03, 2014
Wants:
  66
Gots:
  165
Back in 2014 we had the good fortune of finding a cache of rum barrels which we quickly filled with Pumking making what was affectionately called “Rumking.” We were lucky to have found more barrels, and in 2018, found some of the best we’ve ever used. This batch is at least as delicious as versions past.

Imagine our inimitable Imperial Pumking Ale as the captain on the high seas, flying the Jolly Roger. The ‘King sails for ports unknown in this limited release. Rum Barrel Aged Pumking has been kept like secret treasure in the hollows of the brewery, patiently awaiting discovery. Yo ho ho!

Enjoy Rum Barrel Aged Pumking now, or keep it hidden standing upright in a dark and cool place until you can say ‘anchors aweigh!’

2018 New label design, same great Rum Barrel Aged Pumking!

ABV varies by batch.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by heddar33:
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Rated by heddar33 from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Oct 08, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.16 by Danzifer from Ohio

Feb 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.52 by Gemini6 from Michigan

Nov 27, 2021
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Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington

3.31/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
draught
Medium orange/amber color, with the slightest of haze. Heavy rum, boozy, sweet aroma at first then a mace/nutmeg touch to the boozy sweet taste. Not so hot, unless you're after spiced rum with a bite.
Nov 08, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Oct 18, 2021
 
Rated: 1 by Bigmoist from West Virginia

Sep 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.05 by cabsandking from Ohio

Aug 11, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by buking21 from Massachusetts

Jul 03, 2021
 
Rated: 3.9 by Ristaccia from Nebraska

May 25, 2021
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Reviewed by VashonGuy from Washington

3.61/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Is there a pumpkin beer hiding in here? I can't tell, the rum is too overwhelming.

I've been a longtime fan of pumpkin ales, and have Pumking quite a few times, although not recently. I thought "rum plus Pumking ... a good match!" Maybe so, but not when the rum drowns out any sign of the actual underlying beer.

This was pretty much like drinking straight rum, with some cinnamon and other pumpkin spices tossed in, and some typical beer carbonation. The alcohol burn from the 13.4% ABV is substantial. Now, I like rum, and I like barrel aged ales, but this beer has zero balance to its components.

I still kind of liked the beer, kind of, but couldn't drink much. I had a few ounces, and then couldn't finish it. It's a rare fail by Southern Tier.
Apr 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.06 by psweendogg from Connecticut

Jan 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.24 by GaryM6 from New York

Jan 28, 2021
 
Rated: 4.08 by ItsBeer4Me from Pennsylvania

Dec 14, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by Jdells09 from New Jersey

Dec 01, 2020
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Reviewed by Seanjohnhunt from California

4.54/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Basically Pumking but with rum barrel booziness to it. It is delicious. I great spin on the regular Pumking with some extra to it. Can't pass this one up for the holidays.
Nov 28, 2020
Photo of Rapscullion
Reviewed by Rapscullion from Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
2019 vintage. 13.4% ABV from 1 pint bottle.
Pours a beautiful deep copper hue with very light carbonation and a cream head that disipates very quickly.
Aroma is a huge spirit hit overlaying butterscotch in a very appealling way. The first sip follows through with an overwhelming hit of rum that almost completely obscures the typical pumpking flavors buried beneath.
There is no sublety or integration to this beer, I may as well have poured a shot of rum into a pint of pumpking. Try a Goose Island or a dozen other spirit finished beers that do it really well.
Nov 23, 2020
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Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.21/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Going from gimmick to gumption, Southern Tier takes their famed and often notorious Pumking Ale and allows it to slumber in spent rum barrels for added dryness, flavor and strength.

Rum Barrel Aged Pumking is a truly amazing beer with its bright bronze color and a creamy eggshell froth that carries a sturdy backbone of bread crust and bold caramel sweetness. Fresh-baked toast, roasted pumpkin, and graham crackers come to mind with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, almond, and hazelnut do just enough to emphasize the pumpkin quality in complementary fashion. A buttery praline-like sweetness shares a savory tone while the rummy spice adds a drinkable heat.

Rich and non-waivering on the tongue, a creamy, bready and with a robust spicy sweetness that I would not have expected from a beer with such palatability. The return of graham cracker dryness and aftertaste is all I need to keep coming back.
Nov 06, 2020
Photo of cbutova
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts

4.34/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Print on the bottle says 2017 vintage.

A- 22oz bottle pours into a becher with a clear copper body and a one finger, frothy cap. Good head retention leaving a tall ring around the outside of the beer. Lacing is spotty.

S- Within a millisecond you can tell what beer it is with that signature Pumking aromatic strength. Nutmeg and allspice and spice in general leads off into caramel, graham cracker and general pumpkin pie notes. Getting just a hint of rum, kind of like sugary boozy fruits, here.

T- That barrel was pretty subtle in the aroma but you get hit with it immediately on the taste buds. The barrel is not quite even in terms of strength with the base beer but it is pretty close. Spicy nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and ginger notes lead into pumpkin pie, sugary and fruity rum and caramel malts. The pie flavors and rum work quite well together. Great bitter and sweet balance.

MF- Puffy and slightly creamy medium-heavy overall body. Carbonation is at a medium level and the beer finishes with a nice spicy bitterness.

As one of the fans of the OG Pumking I gotta say adding some extra sweetness, booze and rum flavor really works out very nicely. The barrel and the base beer just play off of each other in the right ways.
Nov 01, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by mquinn919 from Pennsylvania

Sep 30, 2020
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Reviewed by Giggy from Michigan

4.17/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2019 Barrel House Series. Great copper coloring, minimal white head. Slight nutty/pumpkin aroma. Great taste, can taste both pumpkin and rum. Slight soapy flavor in the background. Minimal alcohol burn for a 13.4%, but can feel the alcohol before finishing the pint bottle. Enjoyed this $12.00 bottle.
Aug 16, 2020
Pumking - Rum Barrel Aged from Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 563 ratings