A question about pumpkin ales

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Orca, Aug 11, 2012.

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  1. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Since all these pumpkin ales are coming out in late July/early August now, it got me wondering: where are all the pumpkins coming from that are ripe early enough to brew (presumably in May or June)? Around here I don't think pumpkins are ready to pick until September or October. Or do they use some kind of pumpkin extract, or year-old frozen pumpkin, or that canned stuff you use to make pumpkin pie? There's probably a logical explanation, but 27 seconds of thinking about it didn't yield a satisfactory answer.

    Cheers!
     
    #1 Orca, Aug 11, 2012
  2. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Alot of breweries used canned pumpkin.. although some use fresh pumpkin. Real pumpkins are a pain in the ass..
     
    #2 BB1313, Aug 11, 2012
    gatornation likes this.
  3. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Very few use fresh pumpkin and they won't be available yet. Most use canned. A few just use the spices since pumpkin is almost tasteless with out the spices.
     
    #3 drtth, Aug 11, 2012
  4. mwrecording

    mwrecording Crusader (481) Nov 14, 2009 Maryland

    The 2nd biggest distributor in MD is holding all pumpkin beers to Sept. 1st...or going to try there best to. That being said, they did send us the Sam Adams Harvest collections today.

    They are holding off on the Flying Dog, etc pumpkin beers though.
     
    #4 mwrecording, Aug 11, 2012
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  5. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Very true, but some brewers do a proper mash with pumpkin and a lot of rice hulls so no stuck sparge and get a good amount of flavor in there. Fire Island brewing comes to mind. I prefer with pumpkin flavor and low spice.
     
    #5 cavedave, Aug 11, 2012
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