Headless Hessian Pumpkin Ale
Grist Iron Brewing Company

 

Rating now because I have been to watkins glen twice in the fall and this was a top favorite pumpkin beer of the dozens I have tried and just a fantastic beer in general. Can't wait to try again this fall for an in depth review!

No apparent dating, but I haven't seen it before, so assuming late summer '21.

Slightly hazy orange-amber, with about one finger of long-lasting light tan head, that leaves a thin ring and some surface sheeting.

Smell is a fruity pumpkin scent, biscuity malt, and the usual spice blend, with prominence in that order. I.e., it smells like fresh pumpkin pie. Light bitterness, that lingers a bit.

Taste is mostly a moderate-strength , slightly fruity, pumpkin flavor, with light bread crust (toasted pie crust?), and a (thankfully) light spiciness , whose strongest component is reminiscent of the spiciness from noble hops.
Note : I'm rating this as to how much I like that flavor. If I was rating it on a Pumpkin Ale Scale, it'd be a 4.5, at least. ;)

Feel is light-medium, slightly juicy at first, with light, very,very fine, sharp carbonation bite coming in later, and lingering, lending a slight drying effect.

Overall, well-done. It gives an overall impression of (good ;) ) fresh pumpkin pie, but drier, rather than "Old-Spice-Cabinet" flavor. It's something that I would like to have again.

 

12 ounce can, no dating that I was able to find. Can says 5.9% ABV. My buddy Denis stopped by the brewery a week or 2 ago and was nice enough to get a can for me. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a mostly clear amber/orange color with not quite an inch off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both decent. Aroma is nice, the brew smells mostly like pumpkin spices (nutmeg, allspice, clove, cinnamon) along with some bready malt. Taste follows the aroma, lots of pumpkin spice flavors, pumpkin and a bit of bready malt too. None of the spices overpowers the others. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's smooth and slick with a moderate amount of carbonation. This is one of the better pumpkin ales I've had, definitely worth picking up if you get the chance!

Pours a deep hazy gold. Cinnamon and pumpkin spice aroma. Thin foam. This is an excellent pumpkin ale. Bold roasted malt body with ample pumpkin flavor. A nice sweet finish with very little bitterness. Complex but we'll balanced. One of the best I've had.

 

On draft at brewery. Very good pumpkin ale. Cinnamon and brown sugar on top was a nice touch. Good balance of pumpkin flavors

8/30...pours cloudy copper, heavy foam. Served with a cinnamon sugar ring. Sweet cinnamon pumpkin pie nose, influenced by the bar topper. Soft pumpkin malt flavor that blends together quickly and nicely. Tasty.

 

Went for dinner the other night, not expecting to get this beer since it was too early in the season for a pumpkin ale. But, I figured a taste would not hurt. I had to honor the Horseman, anyway.

First taste. Smell was of pumpkin, with minimal spices. First sip consisted of some cinnamon and clove, but not too overpowering like some other pumpkin ales. The body was a good ol fashioned, REAL pumpkin. It was like someone brought it fresh in from the garden. None of that fake pumpkin extract stuff that is floating around in other beers. Then, a surprising and pleasant aftertaste of wheat.

Overall, a well balanced pumpkin ale that delivers a solid pumpkin taste without flooding you with spices. Highly recommended.