Pumpkin Beer Appreciation Thread (2022)

The Gold Standard: Schlafly's Pumpkin Ale. They no longer distribute this in my area, but I managed to track down some while traveling recently.

 

I usually buy pumpkin ales in September and stick them in the back of the beer fridge as I refuse to drink them before October 1st.

Whole Hog from Steven's Point is pretty close to my favorite (except for Avery Rumpkin, but that's a totally different animal at a crazy price point). I generally consume at least a case of Whole Hog between October and November.

In addition to Whole Hog, so far I've had Lancaster Baked, Brooklyn Post Road, and Pumking Nitro.

I have a few bottle of Lakefront Brandy Barrel Aged that are aging in my cellar. I might tap into that part of my treasure chest.

I haven't seen any Schlafly or Ale Werks yet this year nor any fresh Smuttynose (three of my other go-tos). One of the distributors that I frequent snuck a haul of Smutty from 2021 on a palate. They didn't even have the courtesy to discount it!

 

Pumpkin or no pumpkin, it still hurts my soul to see Ommegang release a beer like that.

 

Why?

 

I haven't had a pumpkin beer in ages, they're really not for me, but I appreciate the enthusiasm among those who love them. Last month Sam Calagione was at my beverage center doing a meet and greet and I drank a few of his samples. I bought a six of Punkin Ale and he signed a few bottles. It was good, but I won't be in a big rush to get more.

 

It’s unfortunate because that they can’t sustain themselves by just producing world class Belgian style beers and have to brew pastry/hazy/lacto sours to keep the lights on. I mean, whatever it takes for them to stay in business but the real kicker is that they recently announced that there will be less focus on the Belgians because there just isn’t enough interest in them anymore. Unfortunately it looks like Allagash might be heading in that direction as well.

 

Just posted this one over in NBW...this pumpkin beer has a slight twist and it was pretty tasty.

Troëgs - Master of Pumpkins



A beautiful looking beer, deep copper in color with some reddish hues; crystal clear with a thick creamy offwhite head.

Nose is clove at first, some yeastiness accompanied by some nutmeg, pumpkin meat and fall spice.

The taste is heavier on pumpkin meat, then cinnamon with a nutmeg clove finish; minor yeast and with an almost saison/belgian like finish.

Medium body, really smooth and creamy mouthfeel; it gives the impression of vanilla but there is none, I don't think. The carbonation is also unique, almost bottle (can) conditioned feel with creamy bubbles. Spices give it a tannin like bitterness to me.

This is a unique and somewhat different pumpkin beer, and for that I'm enjoying it and really appreciate it. If you appreciate nuance and something different in a pumpkin beer give this one a try.

 

Glad I picked up a can of this the other day, now I can't wait to try it!

 

Some of you may notice that your number of pumpkin beer ratings/reviews may have increased since last year. I sent updates on over 25 pumpkin beers that were mislabeled in style this past year.

It took my total to 190 Pumpkin reviews.

 

Great Lakes' Pumpkin Ale and Flying Monkeys' Paranormal Imperial Pumpkin Ale are 2 that I've been enjoying recently.

Eric

 

I had Martin House Super Smash this evening, just superb, it reminds me of a cold pumpkin latte. i have had many pumpkin beers, and never a bad one.

 

WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS SACRED IS THAT! Wholly crazy bat sh*t!

I gotta go hunt that down, just for the fun of it. My dog was startled by my laughter when this scrolled up. I bet it’s seriously chewy.

 

Keg Grove Brewing Company Show Me Your Stem Pumpkin Wheat Ale. Bloomington, Illinois

 

Have been drinking these off and on all weekend. Very good local brewery and this is a very nice pumpkin beer that didn't overdo the spice

 

NUTS! Finger Lakes Beverage no longer carries Drekker. The hunt continues today out near Buffalo.

oh, and BTW, I think Pumpkin Beer can be any base style.

 

Buffalo (East Aurora) had Drekker, alas, no Chonk. I did get some other abomination ;-) though and will post it over the weekend.

 

Promises promises…

Forbidden Pumpkin - Abomination



There it is, in a fun glass too.

The aroma is filled with nutmeg, cinnamon, and caramelized apple. Ginger and clove come forward shortly afterwards, along with over-ripened mango and pine tar. VANILLA! Once it is noticeable, it becomes impossible to miss, although, not center stage.

The spices all muddle together in the flavor, with nutmeg and allspice being more apparent than the others. Bitterness is as expected from am IPA, with sweetness being a clear yet secondary element. Orange juice comes out late, just before a long moderate finish, dominated by cinnamon, pine resin and bitterness.

It has a full body and the texture of stiff nylon. ABV is well below the labeled 9.3%. Carbonation is prickly and a nice counter to the sticky residual sugar.

This is a pleasant surprise. The base style holds its ground and works well with all the spices. I was all prepared to write a snanarchistic review, and now would easily enjoy another (next year).