For those of us who hate pumpkin beers, have you found any that you didn't hate?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Johnct, Dec 14, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 3
  1. Johnct

    Johnct Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 New York

    Every pumpkin beer I've had is bad. It just isn't my style. For some reason I'm convinced there might be one out there that isn't awful.

    Usually these threads are divided into two groups of people - those who like pumpkin beers and those who don't.

    It seems a waste of time to ask people who like pumpkin beers for a recommendation, because they're more likely to enjoy ones that I wouldn't like. I think it's a better idea to ask those of us who don't like pumpkin beers if they've found any that aren't bad.

    So, have any of you had a good experience with one of these? Or should I just give up my search and admit that I just won't get into the style?
     
    #1 Johnct, Dec 14, 2015
    therealJAYZ and phillyhops like this.
  2. ManBearPat

    ManBearPat Zealot (529) Dec 2, 2014 Colorado

    Look for Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial pumpkin beers like:

    The Greater Pumpkin- Heavy Seas
    Rumkin- Avery
    Pump[KY]n- Avery
    BA Smashed Pumpkin- Shipyard


    All of these have a nice balance of BA with pumpkin spice. I absolutely hate regular a** pumpkin beers, but the above noted deliver.
     
    #2 ManBearPat, Dec 14, 2015
    Nickcal, Best_Enjoyed_In_Texas, Chris-1911 and 6 others like this.
  3. Seanem44

    Seanem44 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2014 Virginia

    While not a Pumpkin beer per se, Funky Buddha's Sweet Potato Casserole is a worthy replacement.
     
    #3 Seanem44, Dec 14, 2015
    Badfish, scottbrew4u and WCKDVBZ like this.
  4. Dan_K

    Dan_K Zealot (515) Nov 8, 2013 Colorado
    Trader

    Central Waters Headless Heron is the best pumpkin beer I've ever had.
     
    #4 Dan_K, Dec 14, 2015
    twb0392, colby600, Zaphog and 2 others like this.
  5. Lucular

    Lucular Poo-Bah (4,284) Jun 20, 2014 Maryland
    Society Trader

    Although I don't hate pumpkin beers I do find almost all of them disappointing. +1 for the Heavy Seas Greater Pumpkin recommendation above.

    Also, Selin's Grove's Pumpkin Ale on nitro is incredible if you can get it - but it's only available at the brewpub.
     
    #5 Lucular, Dec 14, 2015
  6. TriggerFingers

    TriggerFingers Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2012 California

    Not yet...but I did try a pumpkin cider once that I actually enjoyed.
     
    #6 TriggerFingers, Dec 14, 2015
    james02 likes this.
  7. Johnct

    Johnct Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 New York

    I was just about to pick up a bottle of Rumkin the other day. I think that might be my best shot.
     
    #7 Johnct, Dec 14, 2015
  8. erushing

    erushing Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2014 Texas

    I had the Pump[KY]n just the other day and it was pretty good, but I split it with 3 other people and none of us thought we could have handled much more. I don't think any of us were pumpkin beer lovers and I know two of us (me included) have said we hate pumpkin beers at times. I don't really hate them and used to like them at some point, but I dislike almost all of them these days. That said, I also have a Rumkin sitting around. Couldn't pass up the rum barrel. Have to try it at least once.
     
    #8 erushing, Dec 14, 2015
  9. lambpasty

    lambpasty Initiate (0) May 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    Punkuccino was pretty excellent. I enjoyed Boulevard's Funky Pumpkin too this year.
     
    #9 lambpasty, Dec 14, 2015
    SpAiReArGsEonNE, jwswigs, Oktoberfist and 1 other person like this.
  10. Gotti311

    Gotti311 Crusader (794) Mar 22, 2009 Wisconsin
    Trader

    I second this! The only one I drink every year.
     
    #10 Gotti311, Dec 14, 2015
    colby600 and Dan_K like this.
  11. PSU_Mike

    PSU_Mike Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Kind of cheating since it's not a pumpkin beer per say but Caution! Contains Real Pumpkin is pretty damn good.
     
    #11 PSU_Mike, Dec 14, 2015
    Zaphog and creepinjeeper like this.
  12. creepinjeeper

    creepinjeeper Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 Missouri

    Schlafly's Pumpkin Ale is one of the best. Another one, but I couldn't get my hands on it this year, is Crown Valley's Imperial Pumpkin Smash stout. One I am looking forward to trying next year is Sam Adams' Fat Jack.
     
    #12 creepinjeeper, Dec 14, 2015
    chrismann65, WesMantooth, gregcordle and 3 others like this.
  13. Zaphog

    Zaphog Poo-Bah (2,910) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Society Trader

    #13 Zaphog, Dec 14, 2015
  14. spacecake9

    spacecake9 Meyvn (1,080) Apr 26, 2014 Illinois

    Buy a bottle Pump[KY]n from Avery and put it in the cellar for a year or two.
    When you open it the pumpkin will be a very minor flavor note and you will be treated to an awesome brew.
     
    #14 spacecake9, Dec 14, 2015
    DoctorZombies and deleted_user_950283 like this.
  15. tdmccarthy

    tdmccarthy Initiate (0) May 6, 2010 Illinois

    I hate most pumpkin beers. I don't even like pumpkin pie. However Jolly Pumpkin's La Parcela and Ten Ninety's De Ogen are both very solid saisons with some pumpkin in the background. I enjoyed them both this year and wouldn't hesitate to drink them again.
     
    #15 tdmccarthy, Dec 14, 2015
    corby112 and comfygoodness like this.
  16. comfygoodness

    comfygoodness Initiate (0) May 25, 2012 California

    Almanac pumpkin sour is fantastic. It's really the only pumpkin beer I buy come Autumn.
     
    #16 comfygoodness, Dec 14, 2015
  17. deleted_user_950283

    deleted_user_950283 Crusader (796) Feb 25, 2015
    Trader

    these two
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #17 deleted_user_950283, Dec 14, 2015
    SpAiReArGsEonNE likes this.
  18. WCKDVBZ

    WCKDVBZ Meyvn (1,455) May 9, 2014 South Carolina

    Also, The Bruery Autumn Maple.
     
    #18 WCKDVBZ, Dec 14, 2015
    Nickcal and Johnct like this.
  19. sajaffe1

    sajaffe1 Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2013 Utah

    For me, they are more of a hit or miss style.
     
    #19 sajaffe1, Dec 14, 2015
  20. Johnct

    Johnct Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 New York

    Saw these at a nearby store. It has a lower rating than most Bruery beers but the same Bruery price tag. Think it's worth it?
     
    #20 Johnct, Dec 14, 2015
  21. TheGent

    TheGent Poo-Bah (2,503) Jun 29, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Trader

    Disclaimer: I like Pumpkin beers. If the reason you dislike the style is over the top pumpkin spice I would give Troegs Master of Pumpkin a try. It's brewed with a saison yeast and one of the more interesting takes on the style IMO.
     
    #21 TheGent, Dec 14, 2015
    zid and Oktoberfist like this.
  22. olekern

    olekern Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2010 California

    Unita Oak Jacked Imperial Pumkpin Ale is my fave.
     
    #22 olekern, Dec 14, 2015
    TheGent likes this.
  23. ONovoMexicano

    ONovoMexicano Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2012 New Mexico

    Midnight Sun T.R.E.A.T. is your best bet. Very low key pumpkin and pumpkin spice and more of just a delicious imperial stout with coffee and other great flavors.
     
    #23 ONovoMexicano, Dec 14, 2015
  24. jhavs

    jhavs Poo-Bah (2,051) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Society Trader

    no
     
    #24 jhavs, Dec 14, 2015
    deleted_user_950283 and PJ_ like this.
  25. Oktoberfist

    Oktoberfist Initiate (116) Nov 26, 2014 Pennsylvania
    Deactivated

    Saucony Creek Maple Mistress - very light pumpkin taste.
     
    #25 Oktoberfist, Dec 14, 2015
    SpAiReArGsEonNE and MistaRyte like this.
  26. PEDXING

    PEDXING Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2013 North Carolina

    I typically don't care for pumpkin beers (or pies, or coffee drinks, etc) due to the spices, but I freaking loved Wicked Weed's Xibalba. It had a lot of chocolate and chile peppers. They bottled a ton of it, and it wasn't very expensive, but for some reason it didn't seem to sell very well. I really hope they make it again.
     
    #26 PEDXING, Dec 14, 2015
  27. swenny916

    swenny916 Defender (692) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois
    Society Trader

    I agree. Was definitely not too bad, sort of a marshmallow taste.

    I've also been able to drink a Schlafly here or there. Not more than one though.
     
    #27 swenny916, Dec 14, 2015
  28. zid

    zid Poo-Bah (1,757) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    Society Trader

    I'm generally not a fan of such beers, and I think Troegs Master of Pumpkins is a great choice.
     
    #28 zid, Dec 14, 2015
    TheGent likes this.
  29. bleakies

    bleakies Disciple (384) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    Cambridge Brewing's Great Pumpkin is the only one I'm likely to drink.
     
    #29 bleakies, Dec 14, 2015
  30. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Poo-Bah (8,313) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    Society

    Hate is a pretty strong word, I am definitely not a fan of them as I don't really care for squash at all with some rare exceptions.

    However, I have had some ones that are a bit different from the regular mold that I did enjoy. For that I might try on new pumpkin brew when the season turns around once a year.

    I did enjoy the following:

     
    #30 Smakawhat, Dec 14, 2015
    SpAiReArGsEonNE and charlzm like this.
  31. Angerhaus

    Angerhaus Crusader (736) Oct 1, 2015 Rhode Island
    Trader

    The only time I've tried it was awful. I'm half wondering if our bottle had soured.
     
    #31 Angerhaus, Dec 14, 2015
  32. ViragS

    ViragS Initiate (199) Jul 28, 2012 California

    #32 ViragS, Dec 14, 2015
  33. tylerstravis

    tylerstravis Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Colorado

    Nope.
     
    #33 tylerstravis, Dec 14, 2015
    Bung likes this.
  34. Celtics76

    Celtics76 Crusader (771) Sep 5, 2011 Rhode Island

    Cape Anne Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout. Nice and roasty, and the pumpkin flavor is subtle and not too spicy.
     
    #34 Celtics76, Dec 14, 2015
    corby112 and Johnct like this.
  35. jdimento

    jdimento Aspirant (249) Jun 5, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Saint Arnold Pumpkinator
     
    #35 jdimento, Dec 14, 2015
    chrismann65, rspauldi and cejaev like this.
  36. Johnct

    Johnct Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 New York

    I brought it up to the register the other day but I started having flashbacks to when I tried Southern Tier's Warlock, so I went and put it back. I'll have to grab one next time
     
    #36 Johnct, Dec 14, 2015
  37. HomeBrewed

    HomeBrewed Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2006 Minnesota

    Boulevard Funky Pumpkin
     
    #37 HomeBrewed, Dec 14, 2015
    SpAiReArGsEonNE likes this.
  38. derftron

    derftron Devotee (442) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon

    For non-BA pumpkin beers, I liked the Ballast Point Dead Ringer.

    Rumpkin and Pump(KY)N are also solid BA pumpkin beers.

    But I really wish pumpkin beers would go away. 98% of them suck and take up valuable shelf space
     
    #38 derftron, Dec 14, 2015
  39. colby600

    colby600 Crusader (794) Mar 24, 2015 Connecticut
    Society Trader

    I dislike pumpkin beer, but agree with this.
     
    #39 colby600, Dec 14, 2015
  40. scxcrunner

    scxcrunner Zealot (569) Aug 24, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Not really... I would agree with others who said Avery Rumpkin, though its still not something i would purchase, i can take a sip of it without wanting to vomit.
     
    #40 scxcrunner, Dec 14, 2015
Page 1 of 3
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.