Heavy Seas - The Great Pumpkin | Heavy Seas Beer
Brewed by:
Heavy Seas Beer
Maryland, United States | website
Style: Pumpkin Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by sinstaineddemon on 09-18-2009
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 206 | Ratings: 392
4.65/5 rDev +23%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours pumpkin orange and boy is it a doozy. taste of pumpkin pie ever increasing each sip you drink, Has a thin white cool whip colored head. Smells alot like pumpkin pie. Sipped this while watching Its the great pumpkin charlie brown, it's spices actually got more intense as I continued to drink it. I think I might make this a new Halloween tradition.
★ 354 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours pumpkin orange and boy is it a doozy. taste of pumpkin pie ever increasing each sip you drink, Has a thin white cool whip colored head. Smells alot like pumpkin pie. Sipped this while watching Its the great pumpkin charlie brown, it's spices actually got more intense as I continued to drink it. I think I might make this a new Halloween tradition.
★ 354 characters
4.52/5 rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber to a pint glass:
A - Orange coppery color, think head, plenty of lacing
S - Spicey tones, rich malty scents
T - This is one of the best pumpkin beers I have had. Nice balance of spices, brown sugar/malty flavours, and a satifying bite of hops. Warms the pallet.
M - heavy bodied, decent carbonation.
D - Could drink this all night, excellent.
★ 368 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber to a pint glass:
A - Orange coppery color, think head, plenty of lacing
S - Spicey tones, rich malty scents
T - This is one of the best pumpkin beers I have had. Nice balance of spices, brown sugar/malty flavours, and a satifying bite of hops. Warms the pallet.
M - heavy bodied, decent carbonation.
D - Could drink this all night, excellent.
★ 368 characters
4.5/5 rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Cowboys are on fire!!! Which is rare for the 2010 season!
A- pours a pumpkin orange with a slight head. The brew makes me want to rewind to Halloween and drink this instead of Heavy Seas Prosit!.... although that was excellent too. Heavy Seas may be my new one two punch for Halloween!
S- warming pumpkin and flavors emerge from the brew... there are warming malt themes that cross with the spice to make a tasty brew. Very disciplined with maintaining a pumpkin theme
T- this is pumpkin! I don't care what anyone says. Pumking and this brew exemplify consistancy with the style. Sweet brown sugar is mixed with this spiced treat. FANTASTIC
M- cream, foam, thick, carbonated.. go with it!
D- The great pumpkin may be the best pumpkin beer out there. I am sorry but I will seek this brew every single Fall season from here on out. Great job heavy seas... this can be SLAMMED!
★ 879 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Cowboys are on fire!!! Which is rare for the 2010 season!
A- pours a pumpkin orange with a slight head. The brew makes me want to rewind to Halloween and drink this instead of Heavy Seas Prosit!.... although that was excellent too. Heavy Seas may be my new one two punch for Halloween!
S- warming pumpkin and flavors emerge from the brew... there are warming malt themes that cross with the spice to make a tasty brew. Very disciplined with maintaining a pumpkin theme
T- this is pumpkin! I don't care what anyone says. Pumking and this brew exemplify consistancy with the style. Sweet brown sugar is mixed with this spiced treat. FANTASTIC
M- cream, foam, thick, carbonated.. go with it!
D- The great pumpkin may be the best pumpkin beer out there. I am sorry but I will seek this brew every single Fall season from here on out. Great job heavy seas... this can be SLAMMED!
★ 879 characters
4.48/5 rDev +18.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I know, I am throwing off the curve on this, but I really have to. This is simply one of the best pumpkin ales I have ever had and I LOVE pumpkin ales. At first pour it is as orange as orange gets and really does set you in the mood for the season. The aroma coming out of my glass a full two or three feet from my face was enough that I could smell it and was delighted by it. The taste is purely pumpkin and strong which is a nice change from the more weaker pumpkin flavored ales on the market. Ive been typing for a few minutes now and I can STILL taste it on my tongue. The mouthfeel was a bit more carbonated than I like, too much like soda, but still pleasant. Overall this is absolutely a must have for Pumpkin Ales and anyone who enjoys the style. Well done Clipper City Brewing!
★ 788 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I know, I am throwing off the curve on this, but I really have to. This is simply one of the best pumpkin ales I have ever had and I LOVE pumpkin ales. At first pour it is as orange as orange gets and really does set you in the mood for the season. The aroma coming out of my glass a full two or three feet from my face was enough that I could smell it and was delighted by it. The taste is purely pumpkin and strong which is a nice change from the more weaker pumpkin flavored ales on the market. Ive been typing for a few minutes now and I can STILL taste it on my tongue. The mouthfeel was a bit more carbonated than I like, too much like soda, but still pleasant. Overall this is absolutely a must have for Pumpkin Ales and anyone who enjoys the style. Well done Clipper City Brewing!
★ 788 characters
4.44/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a modest half-inch head that thins within a minute or so. The color is appropriately autumnal, like fire-orange leaves and, well, pumpkin beer!
Just about as big and rich and pumpkin-y a smell as you could get without being face-to-face with a fresh-from-the-oven pumpkin pie. While the peculiar squash makes itself felt in the smell, everybody knows pumpkin doesn't really smell/taste like much, and that's where the spices come in. This one has plenty of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and clove character, but nothing is overdone. And that light, bready malt base underneath it might as well be the crust of the pie.
If you want subtlety in your pumpkin ale, look elsewhere, because the flavor here is a total Halloweeny smackdown. Spices are huge, bursting with sizzle, although somehow not overbearing (at least, not if you love big, bold-tasting beers). The nutmeg and clove are balanced and upfront, while a hot-cinnamon candy flavor zaps the tongue underneath. That unmistakable but totally subtle orange squash creeps into the flavor too, while a fresh-cream kind of sweetness wraps everything up and keeps everything else from scattering. Flash of alcohol warmth near the end and in the finish. Nice. Hops? Malt? Who knows where they're at and what they're doing here, and who cares...it's a freaking big-ass pumpkin ale, it's very well-made and it's a lot of fun.
Love the creamy, milky roundess of the texture, where carbonation is kept in check but also allowed to tickle the tongue. Medium-bodied and pleasantly, mildly sticky.
I'm wondering if Southern Tier's Pumking wasn't the inspiration here? It's big on alcohol, it's big on flavor, the aroma is tantalizing, it's creamy...and it's just short of Pumking, which is a compliment, because Pumking is king (imo). If you're gonna do a pumpkin ale, make it big and bold I say, and Clipper City have. This is great!!!
★ 1,887 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a modest half-inch head that thins within a minute or so. The color is appropriately autumnal, like fire-orange leaves and, well, pumpkin beer!
Just about as big and rich and pumpkin-y a smell as you could get without being face-to-face with a fresh-from-the-oven pumpkin pie. While the peculiar squash makes itself felt in the smell, everybody knows pumpkin doesn't really smell/taste like much, and that's where the spices come in. This one has plenty of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and clove character, but nothing is overdone. And that light, bready malt base underneath it might as well be the crust of the pie.
If you want subtlety in your pumpkin ale, look elsewhere, because the flavor here is a total Halloweeny smackdown. Spices are huge, bursting with sizzle, although somehow not overbearing (at least, not if you love big, bold-tasting beers). The nutmeg and clove are balanced and upfront, while a hot-cinnamon candy flavor zaps the tongue underneath. That unmistakable but totally subtle orange squash creeps into the flavor too, while a fresh-cream kind of sweetness wraps everything up and keeps everything else from scattering. Flash of alcohol warmth near the end and in the finish. Nice. Hops? Malt? Who knows where they're at and what they're doing here, and who cares...it's a freaking big-ass pumpkin ale, it's very well-made and it's a lot of fun.
Love the creamy, milky roundess of the texture, where carbonation is kept in check but also allowed to tickle the tongue. Medium-bodied and pleasantly, mildly sticky.
I'm wondering if Southern Tier's Pumking wasn't the inspiration here? It's big on alcohol, it's big on flavor, the aroma is tantalizing, it's creamy...and it's just short of Pumking, which is a compliment, because Pumking is king (imo). If you're gonna do a pumpkin ale, make it big and bold I say, and Clipper City have. This is great!!!
★ 1,887 characters
4.33/5 rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Got this and The Greater pumpkin from a bottle shop in Savannah Ga.. Johnny Ganems.. I believe.
Great place in the historic district.
Pours Deep amber orange, looks like the season fall... lol.. half finger of head quickly dissapates to thin solid ring around the glass..
smells of caramel, rich pumpkin pie with whip cream.. good spice
medium bodied, great carbonation. lacey as hell
taste caramel, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spices are balanced in this one.. wow
Heavy seas is doing there job on this one.. Cant wait to Crack that bottle of Greater pumpkin.. Cheers
★ 584 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Got this and The Greater pumpkin from a bottle shop in Savannah Ga.. Johnny Ganems.. I believe.
Great place in the historic district.
Pours Deep amber orange, looks like the season fall... lol.. half finger of head quickly dissapates to thin solid ring around the glass..
smells of caramel, rich pumpkin pie with whip cream.. good spice
medium bodied, great carbonation. lacey as hell
taste caramel, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spices are balanced in this one.. wow
Heavy seas is doing there job on this one.. Cant wait to Crack that bottle of Greater pumpkin.. Cheers
★ 584 characters
4.32/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Brewers mut be the only people who like pumpkin ales. And me. And most beer drinkers. Just, I guess, not beer snobs. Or beer geeks. So out of beer people, brewers are the only ones who like pumpkin ales. Aside from me.
I'm saying this because, wow, if this kind of imperial pumpkin ale was judged against any standard except what beer geeks expect what they lay down 7 bucks for a bomber, it would get a fabulous rating.
The alcohol is only present in the way it makes you feel. What you get is liquified pumpkin pie, no burn and no booze. And you hold the whipped cream, so it ain't too rich. You could slug down several of these, it's just spicy and sweet, the taste of yellow leaves and late-afternoon dusks.
Autumn has a mystique. All seasons do, I know, but autumn is the most beloved because it is the most fleeting. If you grew up in the US, in the last few decades, there are certain tastes and smells that probably make you think of autumn, and unless you're some kind of weirdo whose mom didn't allow you to eat sugar (or if your dad was killed by a scarecrow), these flavors will make you happy. That is, this beer will make you happy.
★ 1,151 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Brewers mut be the only people who like pumpkin ales. And me. And most beer drinkers. Just, I guess, not beer snobs. Or beer geeks. So out of beer people, brewers are the only ones who like pumpkin ales. Aside from me.
I'm saying this because, wow, if this kind of imperial pumpkin ale was judged against any standard except what beer geeks expect what they lay down 7 bucks for a bomber, it would get a fabulous rating.
The alcohol is only present in the way it makes you feel. What you get is liquified pumpkin pie, no burn and no booze. And you hold the whipped cream, so it ain't too rich. You could slug down several of these, it's just spicy and sweet, the taste of yellow leaves and late-afternoon dusks.
Autumn has a mystique. All seasons do, I know, but autumn is the most beloved because it is the most fleeting. If you grew up in the US, in the last few decades, there are certain tastes and smells that probably make you think of autumn, and unless you're some kind of weirdo whose mom didn't allow you to eat sugar (or if your dad was killed by a scarecrow), these flavors will make you happy. That is, this beer will make you happy.
★ 1,151 characters
4.27/5 rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It's the Great Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Charlie Brown! I don't know if Charlie Brown drinks beer - he may still be underage after 50 years; however, if he did, he would find an interesting quaff.
It pours out the usual glob of head (1 finger) that sits to glisten atop a dark amber body. The aforementioned head will soon sink into a thin translucent head, one that leaves no lacing throughout its trip to the bottom of the glass.
There is a massive nose, an aggressive one that emits intense blasts of pumpkin (Duh!) and spice at the get-go. A pungent miasma fills the air; this does not bode well to those who eschew the so-called "sweet" beers.
Given the above caveat, the initial sip is sweet, somewhat. But then, the aggressive maltiness takes charge and bitch-slaps the sweetness into submission, The pumpkin spiciness is still there, cowering on the grimy floor waving on the other ingredients so they can have their own say- which they do in no short time.
A sudden flash of bubble gum end the individual tasting session. It is time to take another sip.
While never being a major advocate of pumplin beers, I will still defend this one in that it does not dwell on the cloying behavior of other beers of this style. This one is well balanced, with a generous helping of malt that lets one enjoy the quaff by acting as bouncer to any sweetness that seeks to enter the palate.
Be warned; the alcohol content might grab you if you are not careful! Enjoy!
★ 1,464 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It's the Great Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Charlie Brown! I don't know if Charlie Brown drinks beer - he may still be underage after 50 years; however, if he did, he would find an interesting quaff.
It pours out the usual glob of head (1 finger) that sits to glisten atop a dark amber body. The aforementioned head will soon sink into a thin translucent head, one that leaves no lacing throughout its trip to the bottom of the glass.
There is a massive nose, an aggressive one that emits intense blasts of pumpkin (Duh!) and spice at the get-go. A pungent miasma fills the air; this does not bode well to those who eschew the so-called "sweet" beers.
Given the above caveat, the initial sip is sweet, somewhat. But then, the aggressive maltiness takes charge and bitch-slaps the sweetness into submission, The pumpkin spiciness is still there, cowering on the grimy floor waving on the other ingredients so they can have their own say- which they do in no short time.
A sudden flash of bubble gum end the individual tasting session. It is time to take another sip.
While never being a major advocate of pumplin beers, I will still defend this one in that it does not dwell on the cloying behavior of other beers of this style. This one is well balanced, with a generous helping of malt that lets one enjoy the quaff by acting as bouncer to any sweetness that seeks to enter the palate.
Be warned; the alcohol content might grab you if you are not careful! Enjoy!
★ 1,464 characters
4.25/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Extremely impressed with this brew! Wasn't expecting much but i was definitely wrong. Has a perfect texture and blend of flavors with pumpkin and caramel tasting the boldest. This could be my new favorite pumpkin brew, and for a 22 at $5.49 i'll be stocking up on these.
★ 270 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Extremely impressed with this brew! Wasn't expecting much but i was definitely wrong. Has a perfect texture and blend of flavors with pumpkin and caramel tasting the boldest. This could be my new favorite pumpkin brew, and for a 22 at $5.49 i'll be stocking up on these.
★ 270 characters
4.25/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
The beer pours a hazy amber color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a very balanced malt and fruit scent. It boasts of pale and crystal malts along with a solid pumpkin aroma and a wonderful spice bouquet. The taste is outstanding. It's bold and flavorful with excellent pumpkin flavor. The malt bill is tasty and balanced. The pumpkin spices are present, but not overly so. It goes down smooth with little alcohol warmth. The mouthfeel is great. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking fall seasonal. It's better than most pumpkin beers out there and it packs twice the punch.
★ 665 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
The beer pours a hazy amber color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a very balanced malt and fruit scent. It boasts of pale and crystal malts along with a solid pumpkin aroma and a wonderful spice bouquet. The taste is outstanding. It's bold and flavorful with excellent pumpkin flavor. The malt bill is tasty and balanced. The pumpkin spices are present, but not overly so. It goes down smooth with little alcohol warmth. The mouthfeel is great. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking fall seasonal. It's better than most pumpkin beers out there and it packs twice the punch.
★ 665 characters
4.25/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured this into a free Heavy Seas glass that I got with the bomber from Julio's. Definitely digging the free glassware thing they do with some of their beers. Anyways, this beer pours a robust orange color with a fairly thick white head that eventually bubbles down to a thin film across the top of the beer. Looks like a pumpkin brew to me.
The aroma is a nice mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, a bit of brown sugar and a squash/pumpkin smell. Well done, staying true to the classic pumpkin beer aroma.
Smooth and creamy are the next attributes of this beer that come to mind. Mmm... good pumpkin pie flavor, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. For 8% ABV I don't taste the alcohol too much, but I can feel its warming presence, which is nice on a New England November evening.
The mouthfeel is like I said, smooth and creamy. Very well done. Nice body on this beer. This pumpkin ale has some substantial weight. Also, the drinkability of this brew is quite good, especially for a pumpkin. Fairly rich, so a bomber is all you need, but if you really like your pumpkins you might be grabbing another one of these.
All in all, I'm pretty impressed with this beer. I've never had anything by Clipper City before, but this is definitely a good first impression. I would rate this right up there with some of my all time favorite pumpkins.
★ 1,340 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured this into a free Heavy Seas glass that I got with the bomber from Julio's. Definitely digging the free glassware thing they do with some of their beers. Anyways, this beer pours a robust orange color with a fairly thick white head that eventually bubbles down to a thin film across the top of the beer. Looks like a pumpkin brew to me.
The aroma is a nice mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, a bit of brown sugar and a squash/pumpkin smell. Well done, staying true to the classic pumpkin beer aroma.
Smooth and creamy are the next attributes of this beer that come to mind. Mmm... good pumpkin pie flavor, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. For 8% ABV I don't taste the alcohol too much, but I can feel its warming presence, which is nice on a New England November evening.
The mouthfeel is like I said, smooth and creamy. Very well done. Nice body on this beer. This pumpkin ale has some substantial weight. Also, the drinkability of this brew is quite good, especially for a pumpkin. Fairly rich, so a bomber is all you need, but if you really like your pumpkins you might be grabbing another one of these.
All in all, I'm pretty impressed with this beer. I've never had anything by Clipper City before, but this is definitely a good first impression. I would rate this right up there with some of my all time favorite pumpkins.
★ 1,340 characters
4.25/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-dark amber color with a creamy head
S- strong smell of cinnamon with some pumpkin overtones
T- well balanced. compared it with two other pumpkin ales and it stood out from the pack.
M- was not a heavy beer at all. very smooth all the way through.
D- Could have continued to drink throughout the night. One of the better pumpkin ales we have tasted this year.
★ 364 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-dark amber color with a creamy head
S- strong smell of cinnamon with some pumpkin overtones
T- well balanced. compared it with two other pumpkin ales and it stood out from the pack.
M- was not a heavy beer at all. very smooth all the way through.
D- Could have continued to drink throughout the night. One of the better pumpkin ales we have tasted this year.
★ 364 characters
4.24/5 rDev +12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a globe.
A - A deep, translucent orange with an ivory head. Head retention and lacing is below average.
S - Nice pumpkin pie aroma; spices, nutmeg, cinnamon and malts. Perhaps a touch of alcohol. I like it.
T - Starts with some big bready malts granted a feeling of the graham cracker crust. Recedes into a familiar assortment of pie spices. Certainly sweet, yet this is less intense than the Pumking. Lives up to the name and much more balanced.
M - Medium body with a bit more carbonation than I would like to see. Wish it were closer to truly creamy composition.
O - I like it and would but again. Given the almost $3 more to get my hands on a Pumking, I may make this one my choice pumpkin brew! Less intense sweetness by allocating the focus toward the spices. Good job Heavy Seas!
★ 803 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a globe.
A - A deep, translucent orange with an ivory head. Head retention and lacing is below average.
S - Nice pumpkin pie aroma; spices, nutmeg, cinnamon and malts. Perhaps a touch of alcohol. I like it.
T - Starts with some big bready malts granted a feeling of the graham cracker crust. Recedes into a familiar assortment of pie spices. Certainly sweet, yet this is less intense than the Pumking. Lives up to the name and much more balanced.
M - Medium body with a bit more carbonation than I would like to see. Wish it were closer to truly creamy composition.
O - I like it and would but again. Given the almost $3 more to get my hands on a Pumking, I may make this one my choice pumpkin brew! Less intense sweetness by allocating the focus toward the spices. Good job Heavy Seas!
★ 803 characters
4.22/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a cervoise glass. No discernible vintage, but I have reason to suspect it's the 2011 bottling.
A: An inch of head tops a clearish, auburn beer. Pretty, but not exceptional.
S: It smells good! Lots of pumpkin spice and little to no artificiality. Faintly grainy malt.
T: Really good! A very well-balanced taste, with plentiful pumpkin and lightly administered spice. Heavy flavour is buttressed by a relatively high ABV. No traces of artificiality, but some malted grain. Endtaste is lightly dry.
M: Moderately substantial, pleasantly carbonated. Nice.
O: I'm a huge fan of the Greater Pumpkin and, though this doesn't equal it, the Great Pumpkin comes closer. It's a lighter, more accessible version even if it's still on the strong end of the pumpkin beer spectrum. Highly recommended; one of the best pumpkin ales out there. Will drink again. Paired with Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, a recommended pairing.
★ 945 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a cervoise glass. No discernible vintage, but I have reason to suspect it's the 2011 bottling.
A: An inch of head tops a clearish, auburn beer. Pretty, but not exceptional.
S: It smells good! Lots of pumpkin spice and little to no artificiality. Faintly grainy malt.
T: Really good! A very well-balanced taste, with plentiful pumpkin and lightly administered spice. Heavy flavour is buttressed by a relatively high ABV. No traces of artificiality, but some malted grain. Endtaste is lightly dry.
M: Moderately substantial, pleasantly carbonated. Nice.
O: I'm a huge fan of the Greater Pumpkin and, though this doesn't equal it, the Great Pumpkin comes closer. It's a lighter, more accessible version even if it's still on the strong end of the pumpkin beer spectrum. Highly recommended; one of the best pumpkin ales out there. Will drink again. Paired with Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, a recommended pairing.
★ 945 characters
4.22/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a sniffer
Appearance: Clear orange with small particles floating and a thin white head about a centimeter thick that fades into a thin lacing over the top of the beer.
Aroma: The usual pumpkin spices you would find, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, but this pumpkin ale has more gourd aroma then most.
Taste: Definitely more pumpkin flavor then most of this style. Not spices, but actual gourd flavor. There are still spice flavors similar to the aroma, but the presence of pumpkin is nice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with light carbonation, easy to drink.
Overall: This might be my new favorite pumpkin beer, balance, and most importantly does not use pumpkin spices to fool you into thinking there is pumpkin flavor.
★ 727 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a sniffer
Appearance: Clear orange with small particles floating and a thin white head about a centimeter thick that fades into a thin lacing over the top of the beer.
Aroma: The usual pumpkin spices you would find, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, but this pumpkin ale has more gourd aroma then most.
Taste: Definitely more pumpkin flavor then most of this style. Not spices, but actual gourd flavor. There are still spice flavors similar to the aroma, but the presence of pumpkin is nice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with light carbonation, easy to drink.
Overall: This might be my new favorite pumpkin beer, balance, and most importantly does not use pumpkin spices to fool you into thinking there is pumpkin flavor.
★ 727 characters
4.22/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
First off - Hats off to Heavy Seas for their great price point and IMO great offerings lately in bombers.
A: See through - orange - nice head that lingers, leaves lace on the glass
S: Wow - pumpkin is king here - some nutmeg as well as well as allspice. I really pick up the style in the nose here and am pleased
T: Malt, Pumpkin, nutmeg, a bit bitter in the finish but overall a solid offering
M: Medium carbonation - easy to drink
D: Wow - great job by Heavy Seas on this one IMO. Glad I'm only halfway through this one as I have another half to get through!
★ 565 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
First off - Hats off to Heavy Seas for their great price point and IMO great offerings lately in bombers.
A: See through - orange - nice head that lingers, leaves lace on the glass
S: Wow - pumpkin is king here - some nutmeg as well as well as allspice. I really pick up the style in the nose here and am pleased
T: Malt, Pumpkin, nutmeg, a bit bitter in the finish but overall a solid offering
M: Medium carbonation - easy to drink
D: Wow - great job by Heavy Seas on this one IMO. Glad I'm only halfway through this one as I have another half to get through!
★ 565 characters
4.2/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice bright orange. Great aroma of nutmeg pumpkin, and spices. Taste is really nice. Again Nutmeg, spices, a nice pumpkin, but nothing too sweet. A great addition to the pumpkin ale selection. This one can stand tall with Pumpking and Smuttynose. A solid Ale that doesn't overwhelm with alchohol, even though its an Imperial. Nicely balanced to bring out a great fall flavor.
★ 383 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice bright orange. Great aroma of nutmeg pumpkin, and spices. Taste is really nice. Again Nutmeg, spices, a nice pumpkin, but nothing too sweet. A great addition to the pumpkin ale selection. This one can stand tall with Pumpking and Smuttynose. A solid Ale that doesn't overwhelm with alchohol, even though its an Imperial. Nicely balanced to bring out a great fall flavor.
★ 383 characters
4.2/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My wife and I did a comparison test tonight: "The Great Pumpkin" vs. "The Greater Pumpkin":
A: Pours a Halloween orange color, with about a half fingers worth of head, and moderate carbonation. Pretty standard pumpkin ale appearance.
S: Very nice blend of pumpkin spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and a tinge of the gourd itself. None of the spice stick out the way it does in the Weyerbacher and the medley smells yummy!
T: Just like it smells. Full bodied, not sugary or syrupy in the least bit, and the pumpkin itself makes an appearance in the very wet aftertaste. Well done!
M: Pretty smooth and pumpkiny! The carbonation is just right and the sweetness is dead on.
D: Let's see....How will I remember this one in a line up of other notable pumpkin brews? The Weyerbacher had the over the top cinnamon taste (which I didn't like); "Pumking" had the orgasmic graham cracker nose that is to die for; Schlafly had the deep caramel richness. I thought to myself: What does this one have? Therein lies the problem. While I truly believe that this pumpkin ale is nearly flawless in it's style class, I can't think of any sort of "Wow factor" characteristic that sets it apart from others.
★ 1,194 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My wife and I did a comparison test tonight: "The Great Pumpkin" vs. "The Greater Pumpkin":
A: Pours a Halloween orange color, with about a half fingers worth of head, and moderate carbonation. Pretty standard pumpkin ale appearance.
S: Very nice blend of pumpkin spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and a tinge of the gourd itself. None of the spice stick out the way it does in the Weyerbacher and the medley smells yummy!
T: Just like it smells. Full bodied, not sugary or syrupy in the least bit, and the pumpkin itself makes an appearance in the very wet aftertaste. Well done!
M: Pretty smooth and pumpkiny! The carbonation is just right and the sweetness is dead on.
D: Let's see....How will I remember this one in a line up of other notable pumpkin brews? The Weyerbacher had the over the top cinnamon taste (which I didn't like); "Pumking" had the orgasmic graham cracker nose that is to die for; Schlafly had the deep caramel richness. I thought to myself: What does this one have? Therein lies the problem. While I truly believe that this pumpkin ale is nearly flawless in it's style class, I can't think of any sort of "Wow factor" characteristic that sets it apart from others.
★ 1,194 characters
4.2/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz 2010 bottle consumed on 3.27.11. Into a tulip glass this reveals a semi clear orange/amber color under a thin head. Aroma carries a medium to heavy nose blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg and possibly, pumpkin. The general mouthfeel here is a BIG Spicy one with an emphasis on the cinnamon, burnt sugar, and pumpkin spice. At first sips, the taste walks the line of being just a bit too "Fall spiced," but then it soon makes friends with my palate as the drink goes on. A Mutiny truly does take place and there's a good malt balance for smooth sailing on a big pumpkin sea. You could call this "Pumpkin Ale on steroids" or you could call it "Imperial", which it truly is...Pumpkin Ale lovers who just can't get enough flavor should try this... Perhaps Ill crack open a bottle of this at next year's Thanksgiving dessert table...
★ 837 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz 2010 bottle consumed on 3.27.11. Into a tulip glass this reveals a semi clear orange/amber color under a thin head. Aroma carries a medium to heavy nose blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg and possibly, pumpkin. The general mouthfeel here is a BIG Spicy one with an emphasis on the cinnamon, burnt sugar, and pumpkin spice. At first sips, the taste walks the line of being just a bit too "Fall spiced," but then it soon makes friends with my palate as the drink goes on. A Mutiny truly does take place and there's a good malt balance for smooth sailing on a big pumpkin sea. You could call this "Pumpkin Ale on steroids" or you could call it "Imperial", which it truly is...Pumpkin Ale lovers who just can't get enough flavor should try this... Perhaps Ill crack open a bottle of this at next year's Thanksgiving dessert table...
★ 837 characters
4.17/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance- pours a yellow copper color with little head and little to no lacing.
Smell- pumpkin is right up front and dominates. Not really much else... maybe a hint of spice? No hop presence that I can detect
Taste- this is one of my favourite pumpkin beers and it doesn't disappointed this time. Big pumpkin flavor with a touch of spice on the back (allspice?, nutmeg?). This is a solid brew.
Mouthfeel- carbonation is very well done with just enough to keep this beer from becoming too slick
Drinkablity- I wouldn't call this sessionable, but it is certainly going down smooth. I won't have any problem finishing this bomber. Highly recommended.
★ 653 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance- pours a yellow copper color with little head and little to no lacing.
Smell- pumpkin is right up front and dominates. Not really much else... maybe a hint of spice? No hop presence that I can detect
Taste- this is one of my favourite pumpkin beers and it doesn't disappointed this time. Big pumpkin flavor with a touch of spice on the back (allspice?, nutmeg?). This is a solid brew.
Mouthfeel- carbonation is very well done with just enough to keep this beer from becoming too slick
Drinkablity- I wouldn't call this sessionable, but it is certainly going down smooth. I won't have any problem finishing this bomber. Highly recommended.
★ 653 characters
4.17/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear orange, medium sized white foam. Not much retention, lacing, and it disappears completely (no film on top of beer either).
Aroma: Who cares about its appearance now? Spices, pumpkin, everything thats great about this style. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Vanilla.
Taste is awesome. This is definitely up there with other imperials such as Pumpking and Weyerbacher. Taste is of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a malt backing and pumpkin background that works great.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and drinkability is high. Its a bomber, and I had no trouble.
I look forward to Greater Pumpkin (which is this beer aged in bourbon oak barrels, which I also bought).
★ 661 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear orange, medium sized white foam. Not much retention, lacing, and it disappears completely (no film on top of beer either).
Aroma: Who cares about its appearance now? Spices, pumpkin, everything thats great about this style. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Vanilla.
Taste is awesome. This is definitely up there with other imperials such as Pumpking and Weyerbacher. Taste is of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a malt backing and pumpkin background that works great.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and drinkability is high. Its a bomber, and I had no trouble.
I look forward to Greater Pumpkin (which is this beer aged in bourbon oak barrels, which I also bought).
★ 661 characters
4.17/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Split this with my husband 10/3/2011. I'm not always a fan of specialty fancy-schmancy beers, but I wanted to try this one!
The appearance was pure fall pumpkin - cloudy pumpkin orange with a thin dusting of white/tan head. The scent was similarly mouthwatering - a hearty ale scent with beautiful sweet gourd. Spices come through upon repeated sniffings: cinnamon, ginger, and what I think of as the pure scent of pumpkiny fall.
Ale to a sweet pumpkin to a cinnamon/clove/sweet ginger awaits your tastebuds. Finishes very sweet and fades to a lingering pumpkin pie flavor. The rich body and lower carbonation make this a very rich and pleasant fall beer.
The brew only gets sweeter and spicier as it warms - we had this with some Pig & Fig pate and it went well with sweet pork pate. Pair this one with a favorite dessert.
I admit, I didn't finish all 11oz of my share because it does tend to sit a little bit heavier on the stomach/palate. I would definitely drink this again if I wanted a hearty spiced pumpkin ale for fall! I'm hoisting my glass and giving an affirmative ArRRR to Heavy Seas.
★ 1,100 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Split this with my husband 10/3/2011. I'm not always a fan of specialty fancy-schmancy beers, but I wanted to try this one!
The appearance was pure fall pumpkin - cloudy pumpkin orange with a thin dusting of white/tan head. The scent was similarly mouthwatering - a hearty ale scent with beautiful sweet gourd. Spices come through upon repeated sniffings: cinnamon, ginger, and what I think of as the pure scent of pumpkiny fall.
Ale to a sweet pumpkin to a cinnamon/clove/sweet ginger awaits your tastebuds. Finishes very sweet and fades to a lingering pumpkin pie flavor. The rich body and lower carbonation make this a very rich and pleasant fall beer.
The brew only gets sweeter and spicier as it warms - we had this with some Pig & Fig pate and it went well with sweet pork pate. Pair this one with a favorite dessert.
I admit, I didn't finish all 11oz of my share because it does tend to sit a little bit heavier on the stomach/palate. I would definitely drink this again if I wanted a hearty spiced pumpkin ale for fall! I'm hoisting my glass and giving an affirmative ArRRR to Heavy Seas.
★ 1,100 characters
4.17/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden orange with a medium white head that hangs around a bit floating atop the body as it leaves a faint trail of lacing.
Big pumpkin spice aromas such as nutmeg, clove, and brown sugar as well as noticeable fresh hops to follow.
The palate is a bit sweeter than the aroma led on. Immediately you notice the nutmeg, brown sugar, and cinnamon, but it sweetens as it coats the palate, eventually giving way to a pleasant hop bite at the finish. This beer has great flavor and a lot to offer the palate if you are patient.
Very smooth mouthfeel, medium in body and carbonation, tons of character, and even a bit creamy at the finish.
This is one fantastic pumpkin ale. Loads of flavor, but nothing that overwhelms the senses or dominates the other features; amongst my autumn favorites.
★ 802 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden orange with a medium white head that hangs around a bit floating atop the body as it leaves a faint trail of lacing.
Big pumpkin spice aromas such as nutmeg, clove, and brown sugar as well as noticeable fresh hops to follow.
The palate is a bit sweeter than the aroma led on. Immediately you notice the nutmeg, brown sugar, and cinnamon, but it sweetens as it coats the palate, eventually giving way to a pleasant hop bite at the finish. This beer has great flavor and a lot to offer the palate if you are patient.
Very smooth mouthfeel, medium in body and carbonation, tons of character, and even a bit creamy at the finish.
This is one fantastic pumpkin ale. Loads of flavor, but nothing that overwhelms the senses or dominates the other features; amongst my autumn favorites.
★ 802 characters
4.15/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazed coppery orange color with nuce head, retention and lacing. Scent is dominated by a strong spice profile - the typical cinammon, clove, nutmeg - but also has a decent backbone of pumpkin puree and grahmn crackery malt. Taste is again heavy on the spice, maybe a touch too much for my taste, but the backbone of pumpkin puree, grahmn cracker and sweet cream and brown sugar sweetness makes it one of the top beers in its style. Fuller side of medium bodied, creamy and smooth, slightly dry. Well i haveta do the comparison to pumpking - not as sweet with a higher spice profile. Again, a top notch pumpkin brew.
★ 623 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazed coppery orange color with nuce head, retention and lacing. Scent is dominated by a strong spice profile - the typical cinammon, clove, nutmeg - but also has a decent backbone of pumpkin puree and grahmn crackery malt. Taste is again heavy on the spice, maybe a touch too much for my taste, but the backbone of pumpkin puree, grahmn cracker and sweet cream and brown sugar sweetness makes it one of the top beers in its style. Fuller side of medium bodied, creamy and smooth, slightly dry. Well i haveta do the comparison to pumpking - not as sweet with a higher spice profile. Again, a top notch pumpkin brew.
★ 623 characters
Heavy Seas - The Great Pumpkin from Heavy Seas Beer
3.78
out of 5
based on 392 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is my second favorite pumpkin beer to southern tier. Clipper city has only made this 2 years so I'm sure it will get better with time. They also just released a version of this that is aged in bourbon barrels.
The pumpkin flavor is so smooth, great spices too but not overpowering. A great balance, I wish I could drink this all year.
★ 340 characters