Ungourdly Hour
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.

 

From draft at the brewery. Had to try the seasonal before the season ends. It’s good at first but as you get near the glass and as it warms, the flavors become very plastic and chemical. Like, uncomfortably. Seems like a lot of adjuncts were added. Not a fan.

Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours dark brown color with small head of tan colored foam. The head fades slowly over time, and leaves a moderate showing of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The is strong of a roasted and toasted malt smell mixed with lots of chocolate and some smells of vanilla and brown sugar. Along with these smells comes a big showing of char and toasted pumpkin as well as some big spice smells of cinnamon and nutmeg. Rounding it all out is a bit of bourbon and wood as well as a touch of coffee.
Taste – The taste begins with a dark, heavily roasted malt flavor mixed with lots of toast and a big showing of molasses and brown sugar. At the same time there is a good presence of pumpkin and spice with the pumpkin being toasted and roasted, while the spice is heavy of nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. There is a bit of bitter coffee upfront, with it getting stronger as the taste advances. At the same time the sweet gets a bit more intense as well, with a bit of toffee and more brown sugar coming on the scene. Some light boozy flavors develop more toward the end, and with a touch of vanilla, one is left with a dark roasty and toasty, pumpkin spice taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is thick and chewy with a lower carbonation level. For the style and the tastes, the feel is great and makes for a nice slow sipper.
Overall - A very enjoyable dark pumpkin ale with a big flavor and balanced nature. A bit on the sweet side, but overall, quite nice!