Puca
Earth Eagle Brewings

I wasn't sure what to expect with this Pumpkin curry spiced porter. At 6.7% it looked interesting with all these ingredients, I have always enjoyed seeking out porters and stouts on the experimental side, this one has been around for awhile and I'm sure glad I found this one. Here it is December and this is an autumn offering but still tastes fresh. I was more than surprised how well these flavors blend together, nothing heavy to this one, good lacing, very dark. I could taste the curry spice on my mouth after the first one and the pepper and sweet pumpkin are there but never predominate the overall experience. I give this very high marks as it hits all the marks I like in darker beers towards the end of the year spiced offerings, truly a one of a kind, excellently balanced pumpkin concoction, one I will seek out in the autumn time of year.

So I guess this must be the most current entry for this beer, a curry pumpkin porter by NH Seacoast experimental darlings Earth Eagle Brewings. I first had this one probably five or so years ago at this point at Cambridge Brewing Co.'s Great Pumpkin Festival, and recall being pretty impressed by the deft (and unusual) combination of disparate ingredients that came together to make a surprisingly-coherent and cohesive dark, Autumn seasonal ale. In that sense, I think of this as similar to Rock Art's Imperial Pumpkin Spruce Porter, an odd beer that myself and several friends of mine find to be one of the coolest pumpkin-adjunct offerings ever brewed.

Anyway, this one pours a medium-brown hue with some ruby highlights. It's surprisingly clear for a modern American porter, and, though unfiltered, a bit of light does shine through the bottom of my glass. The head is nice and fluffy with a medium-khaki color that lasts for the entirety of the experience, leaving behind a few wisps of lace and bearing very decent legs. A cool pour, for sure.

Alright, so Puca is a "curry pumpkin porter," which is, as far as I know, a totally unique idea. It features sugar pumpkins, Thai chilis, coconut, and curry spices, which is pretty wild. Right upfront I get a hit of those savory, funky curry spices that bring to mind a combination of cardamom and a touch of fennel with some turmeric in there as well. I suppose some light coconut can also be found, as well as an earthy, squashy note that I assume has to do with the pumpkin addition. On top of all of this is a bit of toasted biscuity malt and a hint of roast. Nothing here is overpowering or "intense;" it all works just well enough in concert to deliver exactly what they claimed it would be, which is an achievement unto itself.

On the tongue, Puca is a bit lighter bodied than expected given the moderate (6.7%) ABV and the large list of additional ingredients, and it comes across with a surprisingly-forward pumpkin spice flavor that melds well with the coconut. The mid-palate is a little chalky and roasty with some biscuity and almost-Munich-like maltiness. A very subtle hint of smoky spice and chili pepper heat comes across in the finish, which adds to the complexity here. Low-medium carbonation and a quick, drying finish somewhat let this one down, as I would kind of want it to be a bit smoother, more robust, and bold given what they're going for, but I'm very glad the concept and flavors match as well as they do. Nice and experimental stuff that balances interest with drinkability in a successful way.

Dark with a thin white head. Great lacing.

Definitely get the curry in the nose and on the tongue, but it doesn’t overwhelm the beer. Get the other flavors on the backend. Smooth. Balanced considering all the flavors in here.

Pours nearly black with a dark biscuit one finger head that retains well and leaves great lacing.

Aroma is rich with some light coconut.

Flavor is full of curry and coconut with the pumpkins coming through midtaste- a great blend of the flavors where neither dominates. Some.chocolate malt in the finish. Been told there is some thai chili in it too though it is a bit hard to detect.

Feel is rich and smooth and coats the tongue well after the beer is gone.

This is just great! The flavor is sensibly balanced and it is a great combination. Keep it up!