Pumpkin beers that have the most pumkin, least spices taste

I think Smuttynose brings a good amount of pumpkin--not too sweet, and I've been known to drink multiples--not something I can say about Pumking.

 

Schlafly Pumpkin is the best but it doesn't come by us Steven's Point does a good one through their whole hog series

 

I second Smuttynose.

Wolaver's also tends more towards the pumpkin flesh (?) taste rather than the spices, but I find it rather bland as a result. Smuttynose strikes a better balance.

 

Smuttynose is definitely more pumpkin and less spice. I would also agree with Wolavers, and throw in Brooklyn Post Road. I don't know if the taste is necessarily pumpkin-y but it's definitely a lot less spiced and sweet than Pumking.

 

I second smuttynose (also shipyards Smashed pumpkin), this years smutty seemed to be a bit more spiced, maybe thats just because I've had it so fresh.

 

Smuttynose.

 

To be honest, I think very little if any pumpkin flavor can be found it pumpkin beers, regardless of how much pumpkin is added in the brewing process. If anything, pumpkin contributes to the mouthfeel of the beer and very little to aroma and flavor, if anything.

Don't get me wrong, I love pumpkin beers --- I have four varieties of pumpkin beers in my fridge right now and will be attending Elysian's renowned pumpkin beer fest next month. I have tried more than a dozen if not a couple dozen different pumpkin beers and have yet to identify the "pumpkin flavor."

With that said, there may be folks out their with very sophisicated palates who can pick up pumpkin flavor in pumpkin beers but they would be the exception IMHO.

 

What is going on with the prevalence of (apparently) domestic BA's spelling flavor "flavour"? Is Madonna a BA? Hangover from the Olympics? /rant

 

I can taste it, but I don't like the taste of gourd. I prefer pumpkin beers that don't taste like pumpkin...hmmm...

 

You Sconnies are all the same!

 

I'll add another vote for Smuttynose. It's got a nice squashy flavor to it. Foothills's Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale also does a pretty good job. My favorite is Schlafly Pumpkin Ale. It doesn't necessarily have the least amount of spice, but it is super creamy with vanilla and even some graham cracker flavors. The phrase, "It tastes like pumpkin pie!" gets thrown around a lot and I usually disagree. I grew up eating my grandma's pumpkin pies made with a homemade crust and pumpkin grown in the back yard that tasted and looked nothing like the orange pumpkin custards you buy in the store. Schlafly's is the only pumpkin ale that really reminds me of pumpkin pie.

 

The u just makes so much sense.

 

The smell of ST's Pumking is insane! I even smell the crust and whipped cream. I'm not sure what kind of crazy chemical is thrown in there to produce that, but I'll risk the side effects. I can't think of any beers that taste like pumpkin, it seems most brewers are going for a pumpkin pie vibe instead of "pumpkin." Does raw pumpkin even taste good?

 

Look no further than the one and only Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale. One of the best beers - you heard me - BEST beers around. Period! I have a vertical going back to 2003.

 

Look at that avatar. How could you not trust this guys recommendation?

 

I'd say Williamsburg makes one that's not too sweet. The spice is definitely there, but they actually roast pumpkin for the beer and it shows. It is pumpkin meat forward, with the spice and sweetness not over the top. They distribute in VA, MD, DE, and in the Philly area of PA if you can get a hold of it.

 

Out of NC, Catawba makes a really good pumpkin ale and of course there's Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin ale... that's my all time favorite pumpkin beer.

 

No love for Dogfish Head Punk? Early in the release it has more pronounced spices, but they tend to diminish and fade a bit as the season progresses, moving more toward pumpkin and malt. Also a fan of Smutty, Sam Adams, and Shipyard.