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Classic carved pumpkin look to this fall seasonal from the Spencer Brewery in Massachusetts. The Abbey has made a simple beer that leans more toward the gourd than the “spice” that is in most beers of this type. It is brewed with pumpkin and spices, which, when paired with a Belgian-styled ale interlock together quite nicely. A little slickness to the texture which gives it a push towards pumpkin pie. Added bonus point since the beer pours a bright orange color as well.
If you are looking for something off the beaten track, well L.A. Ale Works has a pair of off-kilter beers for you.
Last Friday saw the release of Chanterelle mushroom porter. Adding a “Woody-earthiness combine to bring forth this truly unique take on our classic Parliament Porter.”
Coming after that will be “several local fruit variations of our Lievre Saison including Guava, Kumquat/Calamansi, and Huckleberry.”
And if you just want the warm embrace of PSL then there is a special version of the California Cowboy, called Lil’ Pumpkin Boy.
Going back to the basics for this autumnal beer review with the Dogfish Head Punkin beer.
Haven’t had this in years it seems like. Comes across strong at first. Picking up vanilla first with the pie spices coming in after that. There is a heavy layer of gourd that sits on the palate after the spices depart the scene. Weird sort of almost burnt bitterness. Nice lacing on the glass after a few sips.
This was literally the only pumpkin beer that I found in Trader Joe’s on a late September day. Two years ago, they would have been gone. Already sold.
The new canned version of Pumpkin Ale from the Kennebunkport Brewing Company comes in the orange accented 12oz. My last last Untappd score for this beer was 1.0 for the bottled version. This canned version tastes better than that but still not super. The pumpkin taste actually seems less pie and more actual pumpkin. It is still too sweet to my taste buds and on the thin side but leaves with a nice pie spice finish.
Another wacky collaboration from 21st Amendment and this time they have teamed with the Pumpkin King, Dick Cantwell of Elysian Brewing for a unique 2-pack of seasonal treats.
“He Said let’s brew a dark beer with pumpkin and spices and put it in a light colored can. He Said let’s brew a light beer with pumpkin and spices and put it in a dark colored can. So they did both and produced a pumpkin beer collaboration like no other: two black pumpkin beers and two white pumpkin beers, together in one box.
He Said is a white Belgian-Style Tripel ale brewed with pumpkin, tarragon and galangal. He Said is also a black Baltic-Style Porter lager brewed with pumpkin, Vietnamese cinnamon and ground caraway. Both beers have an ABV of 8.2%.”
I have waited until now to talk pumpkin beers. I know they are probably gone from most shelves to be replaced by Christmas ales but I celebrate my holiday’s in order and not in advance. I picked two pumpkin beers to compare. One from Sam Adams and one from Uinta.
Two gourd beers from two different parts of the country and both are pretty different. The Sam Adams poured a darker amber and had a noticeable lack of the pie spice (not a bad thing) and was a little more viscous and malty. It had a definite pumpkin taste. Sort of a yam taste.
The Uinta had a two tiered aroma. First the nutmeg and then a real jack o’lantern hit. The taste did not hold that though. There was some pumpkin flavor but it was more metallic and must have been on a lighter base beer because it poured a golden color.
I gave tasters to my sis-in-law to get her opinion and she agreed. (as well she should). She explained that the Sam Adams pumpkin would be much easier to drink a full glass of and had a more pleasing pumpkin taste. The Uinta tasted more like beer with pumpkin in her opinion.
As a further reference, HERE is the Beer Advocate list of pumpkin beers.
Allagash has a Belgian twist to the Halloween seasonal with Ghoulschip. Aged in Oak barrels with pumpkin and pumpkin seeds as well as molasses.
Don’t know when or if it will hit the west coast so if you see it, grab it.
Elysian is really branching out pumpkin wise. First collaborating with Stone and The Bruery and now this…..
Here is what New Belgium has to say about it, “Harvesting the creativity of Kim Jordan of New Belgium and Dick Cantwell of Elysian produced this ruby-hued, slightly sour, pumpkin, cranberry ale. It’s a treat that does the trick.”
I have started to see Kick in bottles (Portland) and on tap (Los Angeles)
Here comes kale? This is what Jolly Pumpkin has to say about it’s new fall beer…
“Biere de Goord, a saison brewed with kale, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin and green tea, was made by Jolly Pumpkin to help raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign. The beer will feature the Pints for Prostates logo on its label, which includes the blue ribbon to remind people of the ongoing search for a cure to prostate cancer, a leading cause of death among American men. A donation of $3 from every 750 milliliter bottle of Biere de Goord sold will be made to the Pints for Prostates campaign.”
I just received this invite on Facebook. If only I could be in Seattle that day..
“The 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival”
Saturday, October 10 at 12:00pm.
Event: “2 days – Over 25 pumpkin brews!!”
Where: Elysian Brewing – Capitol Hill