Pumpkin Beers: Squashy vs. Pie Flavors

men...i think?

 

Even men are somebody's children.

I'm not a fan of the style. While I love a properly made pumpkin pie (mainly my own) I was looking forward to trying pumpkin ale some years back. So I tried Dogfish Head Punkin. It's probably a fine example of the style but I discovered I didn't care for the spices in my beer.

 

Dogfish pumpkin is bland and boring. The base beer is lacking. The best non imperial I have had is Harpoon UFO Pumpkin. I was very pleasantly surprised by it.

 

Great topic. I prefer the rindy, squashy type. Schlafly, Southampton and Anderson Valley Fall Hornin' come to mind.

 

I like the occasional pumpkin ale. But that was funny.

 

Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin is a solid choice. I have had the Schlafly Pumpkin Ale and that is good as well.

 

Avoid Anderson Valley Fall Hornin'. GF bought a sixer of it. Not impressed, personally.

 

Dogfish Head Punkin seems to lean towards the squashy side with only a little bit of spice in aroma and taste. Schlafly is my favorite, and from what I can remember it would most suit your flavor preferences.

 

Almanac Heirloom Pumpkin is my all-time favorite pumpkin beer.

 

Crown Valley Imperial Pumpkin Smash Stout surprised the hell out of me. The stout base is awesome and the pumpkin spice is well balanced. Might be the best pumpkin stout I have this year. Miles ahead of ST Warlock and I wish SA Pumpkinator had this stout base.

 

Great question, I love them both,prefer the pie flavors more as an after dinner beer,totally jamming on Penn Brewery Pumpkin Roll this year,liking it better than Pumking this season, haven't had either Dog Fish or Whole Hog yet.
Nebbie

 

I appreciate DFH Punkin for the subtle flavors--hints of pumpkin-not what you want.

I also like the Weyerbacher for its more intense and rich flavors--way more on the spices side--sounds like your cup of tea.

I usually split a 4 of each with one other BA--enough for the season--usually have the last one Halloween night.

 

I describe the flavor as vegetal, but squashy works. If you're after pumpkin beer that tastes like pumpkin, then I cannot recommend Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale highly enough. An "honest" pumpkin beer.

The 21st Amendment/Elysian collaaboration from last year (He Said, He Said) did a good job of showcasing those vegetal characteristics in both the porter and Tripel.

 

I'm drinking Fat Jack now, it seems to taste way better than it did last year. Could just be my perception changing.

 

I usually brew one batch of a pumpkin style ale toward the end of summer. Last year I used roasted butternut squash instead of pumpkin. One of my friends made me swear I would tell no one that he actually liked the 'girly squash beer' while asking for a few more bottles.

 

Are you scared?


p.s. This is really all about those great fall/pumpkin spices. Lots of clove and nutmeg. Delicious. Probably my favorite 12-oz bottle of Pumpkin Ale, outside of Schlafly (but that has more of a pumpkin flavor to me, also much harder to find). Pumking and Warlock are always good if you want a bomber.

 

Elysians Night owl is pretty good I did it with some cinnamon and brown sugar around the rim of glass..taste just like pumpkin pie!

 

As a man I enjoy pie..

 

Me man.
Me drink beer.
Me eat pie.

Seriously, so often I find pumpkin beers disappoint. I prefer getting a beer I really like and having a slice of pie with it.

 

Post Road is an excellent, easy to find Pumpkin Ale IMO. Pumking, like some of the other novelty ST brews are false prophets, all aroma and no flavor.