Smashing Pumpkin
Gravely Brewing Co.

 

Somebody wake up Billy Corgan because September has ended and its time to smash some pumpkins. Gravely Brewing rings in the season with an alternative tune to the pumpkin pie pastry beers out there and gets back to basics with a standard pumpkin spiced ale that's fit for fall.

Smashing Pumpkin glows with a translucent deep copper hue before crowning with a slight tarnish white froth. As the common scent of pumpkin spice rolls from the nose, so does a cinnamon pastry character to take the nose straight to Cinnabon bakeries. Its firm and caramelized taste strikes first with a candied nuttiness, toasted honey and a granola-like sweetness with impressions of cracker jacks candies as well.

But the spices shine tall as the sweetness settles down and the pie spice additions bring a cinnamon, clove, ginger and lighter nutmeg. Each of the spices merge on the tongue and rest on the bed of caramelized malts for a sweeter and spicy balance. A late development of bitter hops has the session trending in an Amber Ale direction to remind us that we're still drinking a beer.

Medium bodied yet trending somewhat plump and fuller with malt, the dryness of spice and hops help to create a sense of drinkability, crispness and general palatability. Finishing spicy and bittersweet, an extension of bitter spice seems slightly perfumy in taste with an alcoholic suggestion of hair spray.