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Trickster
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
- From:
- Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
- Alaska, United States
- Style:
- Pumpkin Beer
- ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.59 | pDev: 11.42%
- Reviews:
- 23
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 13, 2018
- Added:
- Nov 21, 2009
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 8
OK, what do you get when we toss pale malted barley, pumpkin and spices into a stainless steel cauldron then stir in some magic? Uh, Trickster! The “magic” is actually mischievous Belgian yeast at play with allspice, ginger and black pepper. This spooky cool brew will make your glass glow bright despite the gloominess of the season.
22 IBU
22 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by GarthDanielson:
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia
3.58/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bomber into a shaker pint, the beer is an opaque, muddled, caramel coloring with a bubbly, low profile, off-white head. Nose of rich caramel, solid pumpkin spice, hints of Belgian yeast esters, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Flavors are heavily roasted spice cake forward, with solid notes of nutmeg, ginger, and pumpkin spice, with a caramel and toffee backbone, creamy highlights, and subtle yeasty esters. The body is mid-range, but the carbonation gives it a thin, almost astringent end feel. Spice cake and pumpkin pie aftertaste, on a crisp, astringent finish.
Jan 29, 2016More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
3.99/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Because of what I knew about the Belgian yeast used in this, I treated this as a Belgian pale ale with pumpkin in it. Hence, I opted for a tulip.
The appearance was a glowing bronzed orange color with a delicate transparency about it. Just a cap of a little white foamy head that slid off at a moderate pace. Sly lace ran here and there.
The aroma had some cardamom, ginger, allspice and nutmeg playing with a balance of pumpkin extract, Belgian pale malts and sugars and a slight pie crust-like character.
The flavor was moderately sweet pulling in those prior noted spices in stealthily to create a refined aftertaste of those malts to spices.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Spices aren't bothersome, but I will admit they're noticeable. Carbonation felt appropriate. ABV felt fine.
Overall, yes, this is actually a Belgian pale ale with pumpkin flavors and spices added to it. The bottle and website actually say so. Still, I'd have again.
Jul 14, 2017The appearance was a glowing bronzed orange color with a delicate transparency about it. Just a cap of a little white foamy head that slid off at a moderate pace. Sly lace ran here and there.
The aroma had some cardamom, ginger, allspice and nutmeg playing with a balance of pumpkin extract, Belgian pale malts and sugars and a slight pie crust-like character.
The flavor was moderately sweet pulling in those prior noted spices in stealthily to create a refined aftertaste of those malts to spices.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Spices aren't bothersome, but I will admit they're noticeable. Carbonation felt appropriate. ABV felt fine.
Overall, yes, this is actually a Belgian pale ale with pumpkin flavors and spices added to it. The bottle and website actually say so. Still, I'd have again.
Reviewed by SitkaSteve from Idaho
3.93/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
So it says its a pumpkin ale on here, but after reading the label and smelling and tasting it, I beg to differ, here's why.
First time, I ever had this, I had it in a pint glass and then I read the label and said to myself I need to get this again to re-pour into a tulip as I believe this is a Belgian pale ale with pumpkin in it.
Tonight's review is according to a Belgian pale ale and poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a ruddy burnt orange close to brown color with a slim finger-ed white foamy head that dissipated within less than a minute. Stringy tingling lacing sticks and then slides into the body.
The smell had some Belgian spices, a light tartness, a light breadiness (from the yeast, I'm guessing) and all wrapping together nicely. And then a light little bit of pumpkin scent comes through.
The taste was basically the same - Belgian spicy, then sweet bready, and then sweet pumpkin-esque in the background.
The mouthfeel was about light to medium on the body with a good carbonation about it - seems to hit appropriately allowing spices to hit just right.
Overall, though I will leave it on here as a pumpkin ale, I really don't think this is one. Still, I'd have it again as its just nice as it is.
Nov 15, 2015First time, I ever had this, I had it in a pint glass and then I read the label and said to myself I need to get this again to re-pour into a tulip as I believe this is a Belgian pale ale with pumpkin in it.
Tonight's review is according to a Belgian pale ale and poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a ruddy burnt orange close to brown color with a slim finger-ed white foamy head that dissipated within less than a minute. Stringy tingling lacing sticks and then slides into the body.
The smell had some Belgian spices, a light tartness, a light breadiness (from the yeast, I'm guessing) and all wrapping together nicely. And then a light little bit of pumpkin scent comes through.
The taste was basically the same - Belgian spicy, then sweet bready, and then sweet pumpkin-esque in the background.
The mouthfeel was about light to medium on the body with a good carbonation about it - seems to hit appropriately allowing spices to hit just right.
Overall, though I will leave it on here as a pumpkin ale, I really don't think this is one. Still, I'd have it again as its just nice as it is.
Reviewed by BenGap from Alaska
3.62/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.62/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Strong roasted malt and nutty finish. The pumpkin comes through for a short time before fading. Decent beer for the style. Smell wasn't quite there as much as I would like.
Sep 24, 2015Reviewed by ScruffySouthpaw from New York
3.72/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.72/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served in a mug from a 22oz. bomber.
Appearance: A slightly hazy amber with a white-orange head that rose to maybe half a finger's length. Once you take a sip settles quick with perfect lacing.
Smell: Light yeast scent. That's it. Smells good but too light for my nostrils.
Taste: Sweet and mellow pumpkin taste complimented by a sour yeast. It's lightly sour but extremely tasty.
Mouth: Smooth finish lightly sticky. Lemon accent at the end with a light touch of nutmeg. Spicy enough that it will shake up your pallates just a bit.
Overall: Good brew, not the best pumpkin ale....but still one worth trying. Drink up and enjoy...Salud!
Mar 27, 2015Appearance: A slightly hazy amber with a white-orange head that rose to maybe half a finger's length. Once you take a sip settles quick with perfect lacing.
Smell: Light yeast scent. That's it. Smells good but too light for my nostrils.
Taste: Sweet and mellow pumpkin taste complimented by a sour yeast. It's lightly sour but extremely tasty.
Mouth: Smooth finish lightly sticky. Lemon accent at the end with a light touch of nutmeg. Spicy enough that it will shake up your pallates just a bit.
Overall: Good brew, not the best pumpkin ale....but still one worth trying. Drink up and enjoy...Salud!
Reviewed by RyanK252 from California
3.69/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On tap at Spokeasy Public House
A: Pours hazy redish amber with a white head that settles.
S: Belgian yeast funk, a bit tart, but also with some fruitiness, a little spice, and a hint of alcohol.
T: Belgian yeast, a nice fruitiness, some peach/apricot, nice spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a little bready malt.
M: Medium body with light to moderate carbonation.
O: Can't say I really got much straight pumpkin, but could tell what they were going for with the spice notes. Interesting take on a pumpkin beer, nice change of pace.
Dec 26, 2014A: Pours hazy redish amber with a white head that settles.
S: Belgian yeast funk, a bit tart, but also with some fruitiness, a little spice, and a hint of alcohol.
T: Belgian yeast, a nice fruitiness, some peach/apricot, nice spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a little bready malt.
M: Medium body with light to moderate carbonation.
O: Can't say I really got much straight pumpkin, but could tell what they were going for with the spice notes. Interesting take on a pumpkin beer, nice change of pace.
Rated by ronricorossi from California
3.5/5 rDev -2.5%
3.5/5 rDev -2.5%
Solid, not spectacular. The pumpkin does fit well with the belgian yeast. A well made beer.
Nov 27, 2014Reviewed by BirdsandHops from Oregon
3.28/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.28/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
A: Pours a slightly hazy orange with two fingers of white head that fades into a creamy ring with a little lacing.
S: Belgian spices and candy sugar with a bit of bubblegum and a little pumpkin spice underneath.
T: Belgian spices here along with a bit of pumpkin spice. Candy sugar, yeasty bread, and some malt flavors underneath with a slightly bitter finish.
M: Medium-light body with moderate carbonation, this beer isn't as crisp as I'd like from a Belgian beer, but isn't watery, either.
O: An alright beer, overall. There's nothing offensive about it, but I wish it had a bit more pumpkin going on.
Nov 15, 2014S: Belgian spices and candy sugar with a bit of bubblegum and a little pumpkin spice underneath.
T: Belgian spices here along with a bit of pumpkin spice. Candy sugar, yeasty bread, and some malt flavors underneath with a slightly bitter finish.
M: Medium-light body with moderate carbonation, this beer isn't as crisp as I'd like from a Belgian beer, but isn't watery, either.
O: An alright beer, overall. There's nothing offensive about it, but I wish it had a bit more pumpkin going on.
Trickster from Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
92 ratings
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