Nice Rumpkin
Hitchcock Brewing Company

From the can, it pours a hazy amber with orange highlights with a nice white head that slowly reduces. Lacing as you enjoy it. Definite scent of roasted pumpkin/squash (possibly smoked) in the nose. In the mouth, it hits you hard with the smoked roasted pumpkin/squash flavor.

A- Tallboy into a snifter with a slightly hazy deep golden to amber body and a half finger creamy off-white cap. Lacing is sparse but some spottiness stays around on the glass.

S- Squashtacular aroma. The smoking treatment of the pumpkin serves to accentuate both the butternut and sugar pumpkin varietals and the aroma is a spectacular mix of squashes and spices. The caramelized sugars come out in force and are sublime alongside the spice blend which gives notes of vanilla sweets, clove, cinnamon and allspice. A superb mixture like a dessert but not over the top by any means.

T- Simple and effective just like the aroma was. The smoking and roasting of the pumpkins and butternut squashes again is the key to the beer and the true highlight. The whole flavor of the squashes comes out here from the caramelized sweet flesh to the earthy seeds to the bitter skin and this beer might capture the flavor of pumpkin better than any I have previously had. Beyond the vegetables are notes of clove, allspice, vanilla sweets, cinnamon, ginger, caramel and brown sugar. A true balanced experience with just enough of everything.

MF- Light-medium bodied with a high level of carbonation. The texture is silky and fairly creamy and the beer feels soft on the palate. Ends with a bitter spiciness.

Bar none one of the most impressive pumpkin ales ever brewed. The pumpkin and butternut squash flavor is out of this world and the smoking of the sqaush brings out so much more flavor than many other similar brews. Add to that a spice blend that is tasteful and balanced and you have a 4 pack of tallboys that I wish I bought a few more of.

 

Poured from a 16 oz can dated 10/11/18 into the test glass
A - Deep copper hue, Pumpkin for sure, /gently carbonated, feeds a thin off white cap.
S - Malts to start, then a kiss of nutmeg dances with roasted pumpkin, quite a nice mash up
T - Follows the nose well, rides on the sweet side, cinnamon, ginger add some depth without being bossy.
M - Medium in body, semi sweet start, then a nice spicy middle, ending dry enough. The linger is a touch roast pumpkin with the slightest hint of bitterness.
O - A wonderfully constructed offering, solid malt base, just enough spice to show off the pumpkin flavors.
Well done by Hitchcock