Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Western Collective

 

blonde stout, clever beer, better than expected, i have to doubt that there is real pumpkin in here, but the beer is well refined and well made, even if the seasonality is a little weird right now for this to be on tap at the brewery. golden and clear, short white head, looks lovely, radiant even, and although it feels a bit like spring outside, this takes me right to autumn in the nose, coffee and roast evident, hitting the stout thing a little there, nutmeg and cinnamon warm it up for me, and there is just enough sweetness, light vanilla and honey notes among the malt. the flavor is all of this, and while its not quite as much a stout as some other blonde ones have been over the years, its close enough, the coffee is great, and its not something i miss here. no real pumpkin flavor at all, which is why i question its existence in this, but the spice profile is like pie, clove and even a suggestion of cardamom, the cinnamon being the most forward of the spices. it comes together well, isnt over flavored, and doesnt seem to me to be packed with lactose, the finish is clean for what it is, surprisingly so even. lighter bodied but still with some stout-like heft in the right places, and good carbonation. unexpected this time of year, but quite good!

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Gold n pour, light haze, thin white head. Coffee aroma, simple. Taste leads with the coffee, then some sweetness, and the pie spice is very subtle.