Pumpkin beer recommendations?

I like the subtlety of DFH Punk and one four pack a year is perfect.

 

Saw Pumking for $12 today. WHY?!

 

Can someone PLEASE tell me why Shipyard Pumpkinhead gets so much hate? Too sweet? Newsflash: pumpkin pie is sweet! Do you not like pumpkin pie? It tastes exactly like sweet pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top.

 

Genuine,

Where spotted in connecticut?

 

Had shipyards pumpkinhead and I have to say it is forgettable. It wasn't great but the bigger issue is that if I didn't know it was a pumpkin ale, I would not have called it one if blindfolded.

OK otherwise.

 

Warlock and Pumking.

 

I created a post about this a year or 2 ago before I bought a 6 pack. I asked if pumpkinhead was really that bad. Consensus was that it was and many pointed to the same reason, which was the very apparent fake cinnamon flavor it has. More like those fire candies than actual pumpkin pie.

 

Definitely tastes like actual pumpkin pie to me. I don't know for sure whether they use real cinnamon or not, but I have a hard time believing they would use artificial cinnamon when actual cinnamon is cheap, readily available, and commonly used in beer. Reminds me of all the reviews of fruit beers where people love to call it "artificial tasting" even though the beers they are criticizing often use real fruit, so obviously they are incorrect in their assessment in those cases.

 

A little pumpkin beer goes a long way for me. The one exception would be St. Arnold's Bishop Barrel 6. It's their Pumpkinator in rum barrels. Delish.

 

Point Whole Hog Pumpkin and Lakefront Imperial Pumpkin without a doubt. Looking forward to those two coming out again.

 

Not only does Elysian do a pumpkin ale, they do a slew of pumpkin beers and hold a wildly popular Great Pumpkin Beer Fest (this is their 10th year this October 3-4, over 80 pumpkin beers will be there!!), so in my book, these guys - Dick Cantwell and crew, are the Pumpkin Masters!!

http://www.elysianbrewing.com/great-pumpkin-beer-fest/

 

I had a harpoon ufo pumpkin served to me with cinnamon around the rim. Not the best pumpkin beer, but the addition made it fun and festive

Also Pumking

 

I purchased a sixer of Night Owl yesterday. First time trying it. I like it a lot but there seemed to be very little carbonation. Is this typical of this brew or did I buy a bad six pack?

 

in no particular order -
schlafly pumpkin
alewerks pumpkin
elysian - the great pumpkin
fegleys- devious pumpkin
hoppin frog - hallow pumpkin
shipyard - smashed pumpkin

but on price and availability id get elysian - night owl

 

None of them...for some reason, every pumpkin beer I've tried so far I've not cared for.

 

I see people defending Shipyard Pumpkinhead here. That makes me happy; I love Pumpkinhead and think it's a shame it gets so much derision. Would also like to shamelessly plug Captain Lawrence Pumpkin Ale; got my first taste of it when I had my training day there in the tasting room, and I quite liked it.

As for my top 3?
Southern Tier Pumking
Stegmaier Pumpkin
River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern

Also, if you ever hit up Heartland Brewery while in Manhattan, and the Smiling Pumpkin is on tap, I recommend getting a Stumpkin (half Smiling Pumpkin, half oatmeal stout). It's delicious.

 

Started buying "good" pumpkins ....

Today:
Southern Tier Pumking (BA: 91/81)
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale (BA: 87/89)

 

Punk'n from Uinta is pretty good too!

 

Long Live the King

 

I prefer the pumking aged a bit myself. The flavors mellow out and I see the vanilla more pronounced. I have a whole case leftover from last year I'll be drinking this year. Not all at once of course. 2012 was a great year for pumking...2013 was good, but different. My fave pumpkin beer by far, warlock right behind. If there's anything better out there, I can't wait to try it.