Elysian Great Pumpkin new batch -- weird

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JAXSON, Oct 11, 2012.

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  1. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Last year I went an a large pumpkin beer binge, traded for a bunch of them, drank probably 20+ different examples. Last year’s Great Pumpkin was incredible -- meaty, fresh, a bit spicy, nice tempered sweetness. This year’s batch seems way different to me. For one, it’s several shades lighter, more in the gold spectrum than in the orange/chestnut spectrum. The body is also thinner than it was, the abv is toned down, and the flavors are way more mellow. It’s more like a light oktoberfest with some pumpkin in the nose. Still pretty good, but not the same.

    Any word if they changed the recipe? Could they have bottled Night Owl and accidentally called it Great Pumpkin? I believe the abv is lower this year, at the least.
     
    #1 JAXSON, Oct 11, 2012
  2. Beerisheaven

    Beerisheaven Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Dude, I think you are drinking something different. I got a case of it and I actually think it is more amped up this year compared to last. Matt just got bottles, go pick up another and try it.
     
    #2 Beerisheaven, Oct 11, 2012
  3. miketd

    miketd Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2006 Ohio

    This year's tasted way more like straight pumpkin and no detectable spice. I've only had it a few times, but it definitely wasn't the same IMO. Like you said, still good but different.
     
    #3 miketd, Oct 11, 2012
  4. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I have a case, label is clearly Great Pumpkin. Scrutinized it to confirm I wasn't imagining, then checked again to be safe.

    I know you dig this beer, I guess we're seeing things differently. Why is the beer gold, is one thing I want to know? It's definitely not near 8.1%abv, as it's listed on here.
     
    #4 JAXSON, Oct 11, 2012
  5. stakem

    stakem Grand Pooh-Bah (4,070) Feb 20, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I also picked up a case and I thought it was pretty beefy and forward with the 8% alcohol. More intense with the alcohol than pumking is this year. Mine is certainly not in the gold spectrum but it also isn't as dark as some others. Care to post a pick of the brew in question? I got my case the day it came into the distributor and was shocked when I opened it up and every bottle was covered in a layer of dust that made me think maybe I got bottles from last year...
     
    #5 stakem, Oct 11, 2012
  6. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Yeah I hear that, I'm more noticing the thinner body, lower abv, overall lighter feel. The nose is still really nice, which I remember from last year. Still a very nice beer, just way different.
     
    #6 JAXSON, Oct 11, 2012
  7. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I finished the bottle just before this, will post a pic the next time I open one, which will likely be tomorrow. I did enjoy the bottle I just drank -- very lightly buzzed, not where I would think I would be after drinking an 8.1% abv bomber in about 30 minutes. Feel like I just drank 1.5 Woodchucks and am getting ready to make a mix tape for my college girlfriend in 2001.
     
    #7 JAXSON, Oct 11, 2012
  8. Beerisheaven

    Beerisheaven Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2007 Pennsylvania

    On another note, do NOT age this beer. Three drain pours for the bottles I saved. Did not expect to see this locally and it was not easy to get last year, so I made the call and saved a couple against my judgement. Thought the ABV might save the. Could not have been more wrong. Drink these this year.
     
    #8 Beerisheaven, Oct 11, 2012
  9. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    This is the first time I had it but it basically tasted to me like Night Owl but with double the ABV. Minimum spice, good bit of pumpkin and it was actually a little boozy for me. Could have used a bit more body, on that I agree but I didn't think it felt "thin".
     
    #9 HumphreyLee, Oct 11, 2012
  10. grilledsquid

    grilledsquid Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2009 California
    Trader

    I was able to get some bottles this year and I was surprised by its booziness. It's probably the most intense pumpkin beer I've had.
     
    #10 grilledsquid, Oct 11, 2012
  11. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    Is the Hangar 24 beer a general release? I haven't seen any on the shelf yet.
     
    #11 UCLABrewN84, Oct 12, 2012
  12. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    Its all over here in So. Cal. Let me know if you need a bottle.

    Cheers!
     
    #12 FosterJM, Oct 12, 2012
  13. DMXLOX22

    DMXLOX22 Pundit (769) Sep 25, 2003 Pennsylvania

    Could be this year was a little light on the harvest for pumpkins, so brewers are being forced to slightly tweak the recipe. I highly doubt this would be a obviously noticeable trait, but it is possible. I really enjoyed Fat Jack by Sam Adams
     
    #13 DMXLOX22, Oct 12, 2012
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