Mashing Pumpkins With Chocolate
Ludlam Island Brewery

Poured from 16 oz. can into a tulip glass. It is a pretty amber color with a big, creamy, milk-white cap and thick lacing. As expected, the nose offers big pumpkin, along with milk chocolate and a hint of caramel. The taste opens like Mashing Pumpkins. I like that Ludlam uses pumpkin flesh in the mash and doesn't rely on spicing. The chocolate is a lot more nuanced. It is there, deep in the background but it doesn't overwhelm the tasty Pumpkin Ale. This can is about 5 weeks old and the chocolate may have been more pronounced when first canned. That said, it's delightful. The mouth feel steals the show. For 4.25% ABV it is surprisingly viscous and creamy. Overall, this is a fine Pumpkin Ale. I wish I could have tried it fresher. Ludlam has really stepped up its Pumpkin Ale game. Becky is a top shelf Pumpkin-Coffee Ale and this version of Mashing Pumpkins is very good. Cool can art, as well.