This is my favorite pumpkin beer I've had. It has a rich ale base and great pumpkin spice, compared to some other pumpkin beers that are a bit on the subtle side when it comes to the actual pumpkin / pumpkin pie flavor.
Appearance: The beer is the color of deep cherry wood, or "burnt sienna" (don't you just love creatively named colors that no one is really sure what they actually mean?) The head receded very quickly from originally being about one finger's worth. There is negligible lacing left on the sides of the glass.
Smell: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and brown sugar malt are predominant. There is a bit of sweetness, but it's not sickly or overpowering because there's a nice spice element that lightens it.
Taste: The first wave of flavor includes all of the pumpkin pie spices -- the cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg apparent in the nose are clear here. The pumpkin itself is also a lot more apparent in the flavor than in the smell. Throughout the body the spice mellows out and there is a bit of a bite from the alcohol, which then gives way to the brown sugar and more malty sweet flavors.
Mouthfeel: It's medium-bodied, a bit on the heavier side. However, both the savory spiciness of the beer and the effervescence prevent it from feeling sticky or viscous.
Overall: This is a great seasonal beer for autumn, and as I mentioned, my favorite pumpkin beer. It's very drinkable, and I could very easily see someone who is not really a "beer person" enjoying this. It's rewarding for the seasoned beer pro as well due to its richness of flavor, but familiar and warming enough for the neophyte as well.
4/5
Appearance: The beer is the color of deep cherry wood, or "burnt sienna" (don't you just love creatively named colors that no one is really sure what they actually mean?) The head receded very quickly from originally being about one finger's worth. There is negligible lacing left on the sides of the glass.
Smell: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and brown sugar malt are predominant. There is a bit of sweetness, but it's not sickly or overpowering because there's a nice spice element that lightens it.
Taste: The first wave of flavor includes all of the pumpkin pie spices -- the cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg apparent in the nose are clear here. The pumpkin itself is also a lot more apparent in the flavor than in the smell. Throughout the body the spice mellows out and there is a bit of a bite from the alcohol, which then gives way to the brown sugar and more malty sweet flavors.
Mouthfeel: It's medium-bodied, a bit on the heavier side. However, both the savory spiciness of the beer and the effervescence prevent it from feeling sticky or viscous.
Overall: This is a great seasonal beer for autumn, and as I mentioned, my favorite pumpkin beer. It's very drinkable, and I could very easily see someone who is not really a "beer person" enjoying this. It's rewarding for the seasoned beer pro as well due to its richness of flavor, but familiar and warming enough for the neophyte as well.
4/5
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