Red Racer Pumpkin Ale - Central City Brewing

psiweaver

Washington

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my Hair of the Dog Tulip from the can.

Pours an orangish copper color with a soft off white head.

Has a good smell with lots of pumpkin and spice, not as aggressive as something like Pumking but very good.

Taste was good, i think that it would be better a bit fresher as I noticed that the pumpkin was somewhat faded from what I would normally expect. I'll be excited to try it fresh next year. good amount of spice though

easy smooth mouthfeel very easy drinking and tasty.

Serving type: can

12-10-2010 03:58:34 | More by psiweaver

reesa0o0

British Columbia (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

This is probably the last pumpkin ale I will "test" of the season. I have tried all of them that I could get my hands on in the Victoria area with the exception of one. This is in my top 3 pumpkin ales of this season probably sitting between 2-3 place.

A- Reddish-orange with a finger and a bit of head, and light lacing. Head dissipated quickly.

S- Slightly sweet citrusy pumpkin with typical pumpkin spices taking a backseat. The sweetness is very mild.

T- Pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and hops make up the taste. Very balanced with beer and pumpkin flavour neither one overwhelming the other.

M- Medium carbonation and fairly medium mouth feel.

O- This is a great fall beer. The best pumpkin ale I have tried from BC. This has a lot of the pumpkin that I was looking for in a beer without the overpowering sweet and spicy taste of most of the other pumpkin beers available. When I intend to drink beer I don't want to drink liquefied pumpkin pie, Kudos to Central City!

Serving type: can

10-27-2012 05:23:26 | More by reesa0o0

schopenhauerale

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

10-26-2012 06:52:42 | More by schopenhauerale

thefullpython

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

10-12-2012 09:03:07 | More by thefullpython

jrempel

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

09-28-2012 21:42:42 | More by jrempel

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was the first Pumpkin Ale that I was to find at Liquor Plus on Douglas St. during the limited October pumpkin ale season of 2010 , pleasant enough in appearance and smell and taste , I was disapointed in mouthfeel just not bold enough and little to watery for my taste buds , the overall flavour was ok

Cheers LampertLand

Serving type: can

01-18-2012 06:53:55 | More by LampertLand

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of a mixed pack that my uncle brought for me when visiting.

Poured from a 355ml. can, canned Oct. 25, 2011 (Lot J2511).

Appearance: An amber-orange body with 3-4 fingers worth of head. Gradually recedes but leaves lots of lacing all around.

Smell: Good pumpkin meat, spices, cloves. A bit of a metallic twang. Aroma gets stronger as it warms.

Taste: Some fall spices, pumpkin pie crust. Slight metal twang (same as aroma) that is slightly distracting but thankfully disappears as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation and pretty full bodied.

Overall: Nothing overpowering or extravagant here. Good all around.

Serving type: can

01-06-2012 12:54:00 | More by papat444

beertunes

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to DaftCaskBC for hooking me up with this one. Right upfront, I don't like pumpkin and haven't yet had a pumpkin beer I've liked.

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured an attractive orangeish-amber color with no head or lace. The aroma had a very good "beery" scent, lots of malt and grain, with the pumpkin and spice aspects being barely noticeable.

On the tongue, the actual beer still had the forefront, unlike most of these squash beers, and the pumpkin and spices were very well balanced and blended. They played their minor supporting roles well.

The body was good, crisp and clean, with a nice dry finish. Drinkabilty was pretty good for a beer with flavors I don't care for. Overall, a pretty decent beer. If you like pumpkin beers, you should try this one. If you like a lot of pumpkin in your brew, this may be a bit mellow for you. I wouldn't buy a sixer of this, but I'd split one can a year with someone.

Serving type: can

11-29-2011 18:33:50 | More by beertunes

cosmicevan

New York

3.08/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

thanks for DaftCaskBC for some canadian love in a can.

a - popped the can and filled my E snifter. poured a clear orange that settled into the glass as more chestnut reddish orange. had a nice finger plus of frothy ipa-like head but less milk shakey lacing. head hung out.

s - as soon as the pour started, i felt a waft of pumpkin in the air. upon closer inspection there it is...that craft store warmth. pretty malty, but beyond the malt is the cinnamon pumkin-ness. very palatable and not in your face. bit of a lager shine.

t - a bit underwhelming. pumpkin is really in the backseat on this beer and it has an american adjunct lager thing that is a bit of a turn off for me.

m/o - a bit funky in a bmc kind of way. pumpkin isn't really in the flavor in a positive way. the nose isn't bad, but if you are into a good pumpkin smell, this is no pumpking or good gourd. glad to try it, but not my bag for a pumpkin ale.

Serving type: can

11-20-2011 03:57:42 | More by cosmicevan

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 1/2" off-white head that left a nice lacing over a warm orange liquid.

S: Cinnamon and pumpkin. Very reminiscent of a pumpkin pie.

T: Cinnamon, ginger and cloves up front which transitions to yeast and pumpkin. This beer is like pumpkin pie in a glass. Very well balanced for the style.

M: Medium viscosity with a high level of fine carbonation.

O: One of the most drinkable pumpkin ales for the style I have had.

Serving type: can

09-30-2011 04:28:00 | More by DaftCaskBC

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is my fourth Red Racer beer. Apparently this one was limited edition, and is no longer being made. I've had pumpkin ales before, and while I like the idea, I've been kind of let down in the past. Let's hope this is another exceptional beer from Central City.

It pours a deep copper colour. Slightly hazy with a finger of foamy head sitting on top. A very nice looking beer!

The aroma is quite spicy. Cloves and cinnamon mix with some acidity from the pumpkin. It has a kind of sour smell that turned me off of other pumpkin ales I've had.

The flavour resolves a lot of the problems I've had with other pumpkin ales. It is very balanced. The flavour is sweet and slightly spicy to start. The pumpkin flavour is present, but not overwhelming. This is great, since it could result in some tartess that I'm not a big fan of. It slowly gives way to some nice maltyness. It is a very easy drink.

Overall, I could totally see myself drinking this during fall and winter. Unfortunately it's a limited release, and I'll probably never have it again :(

Serving type: can

07-28-2011 02:18:05 | More by evlu1441

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

355ml can. The label depicts our girl still riding her red bike, now clashing with the orange seasonal background, and clad in her stereotypical cowgirl finest...

This beer pours a clear, but dull, medium copper hue, with a multitude of puffy, creamy, foamy ecru head, which leaves a cross section of sedimentary lace around the glass as it evenly settles around the glass. It smells of spicy ginger and nutmeg, actual raw pumpkin flesh, and bready malt. The taste is doughy biscuit malt, more zippy allspice and nutmeg, pumpkin meat, and bitter earthy hops. The carbonation is average, and unobtrusive, the body on the light side, but solid in its smoothness. It finishes off-dry, with a nice (I know!) vegetal pumpkin and hop character.

A different pumpkin ale than the norm, that's for sure - hops and the eponymous legume, rather than a focus on a heavy malt. It's all balanced, and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: can

06-17-2011 01:33:58 | More by biboergosum

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 355 ml can. Pours out a clear amber hue, small creamy beige head.

Aroma has sweet earthy pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and a curious floral character that is a nice added touch.

Perhaps showing a little sign of age, but nothing seems off with it. Earthy character up front in the flavour, while the spice tends to quickly overlap it. Finishes on a hoppy note, although difficult to pick out what varieties through the spice presence.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, although the texture comes across fuller than it is while staying slick, with moderate carbonation.

Nice take on the style, the extra hops work with this recipe, and once again Red Racer pulls off an enjoyable and highly accessible rendition of the style. Looking forward to the Fall when they bring this out again.

Serving type: can

04-26-2011 02:27:19 | More by IronDjinn

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

BigBry gets big ups from The CANQuest (TM) for not only more CANadian beer in a CAN, but my dear Red Racy to to go with it. In this iteration, she has traded her skirt, garters and Mary Janes for a cowboy hat and boots and a pair of Daisy Dukes, plus a pumpkin is lashed to the carrier above the back fender. Yeehah, let's go ridin', girlfriend!

From the CAN: "Central City Brewing Co. Red Racer Pumpkin Ale is a once a year creation crafted with the addition of pumpkin and select spices producing a premium ale of intense flavors and rich, creamy warmth. A great pairing with any holiday feast. 'Cheers!'"

The Glug netted just better than a finger of deep-tan head with good retention. I could smell the spices almost immediately. Color was a deep-coppery, orangish-amber with NE-quality clarity. BUPGOO! Nose was rich with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and clove. It smelled like pie fresh from the oven. Mouthfeel was medium with a riot of spices on the tongue. Cinnamon and clove really stood out for me and there was some sweetness, but the spices were taking the lead. Finish was pretty daggone dry, thanks to all of the spice. I am unsure of how good it would be at the beach, but on a campout with food roasted on a open fire? Perfect! Let's do this again, Red. I was really digging this beer on a cold, chilly, rainy afternoon in the early spring that felt more like the late fall.

Serving type: can

04-16-2011 17:07:14 | More by woodychandler

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance. Pours a clear, deep copper-orange with two fingers of light yellow, sticky looking head that leaves some nice lacing.

Smell. Cloves. A little nutmeg and a hint of floral, sweet pumpkin.

Taste. Sweet cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, hint of sour and some caramel malt in the back.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, nice smooth medium carbonation. Alcohol well hidden.

Overall. The strong spices, especially cloves, are a little much for me. One during the season is plenty for me.

Serving type: can

03-17-2011 01:47:45 | More by Rutager

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cheers, again, to joemcgrath27 for the hook up.

A - Pours a nice copper colour, thin layer of head with little retention and no real lacing.

S - Earthy pumpkin masked by nutmeg and cinnamon scents, some caramel and banana bread.

T - Less spice than is implied by the scent, with the earthy gourd coming through complemented by bitter leafy hops, caramel notes, and a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon.

M - A bit on the watery side, lacking a carbonation 'lift', but goes down smooth and doesn't finish overly dry.

D - Overall a tasty brew that would be recommended to any pumpkin ale fan. Glad I was able to get my hands on this one. The spices don't overpower the beer, which makes it easily sessionable. A bit bitter on the finish, but not overly offensive.

Serving type: can

01-23-2011 00:05:56 | More by andrenaline

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - clear copper orange, decent off white head left solid lacing
S - sweet & savoury pumpkin with nuttmeg and a herbal note
T - pumpkin and spices are more subdued that the smell, a bready malt and a herbal aftertaste
M - light and bready smooth, finishing with a subtle dry spiciness
D - pumpkin flavour is more true than many pumpkin seasonal, but the herbal aftertaste takes is somewhat out of place, a nice fall seasonal none the less

Serving type: can

01-15-2011 05:43:44 | More by joemcgrath27

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Fantastic orange color. About as close to pumpkin as you can get I think. Good amound of white head. Decent retention. I took a tour of the brewery while they were filtering a pumpkin, they said it was a bugger to filter, haha. Final product is nice and bright and clear.

S - Pumpkin spice (nutmeg mostly and cinnamon. Really excellent.

T - Clean finish. Some pumpkin spice is noticeable but NOT overwhelming (most common mistake in pumpkin beer). This is still a beer, for sure. After the spice you notice a nice malty flavor (octoberfestish), slight bitterness.

M - Good body in this. Nice and creamy. Balancing bitterness.

D - High

Might be my imagination, but I think this beer has improved since last year quite a bit.

Serving type: can

12-13-2010 01:15:28 | More by IllNate

oregonskibum

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz can into a tulip glass. Picked this up in February in Vancouver in a sampler pack.

A: Pours a clear orange with some amber tints. Solid two inch, compact off-white head that disippated fairly slowly.

S: Surprisingly nice. Smells like a very mellow, low-spice pumpkin pie. Typical pumpkin pie smells, like pumpkin (duh), cloves, cinnamon, all-spice, etc. But the spices aren't overwhelming.

T: Obviously, pumpkin continues from the smell. Spices play a more dominant role, although still not overwhelming. Base beer tastes solid, with limited bitterness and a light biscuity malt backbone.

M: Light body and higher than average carbonation. While maybe a touch light, I think it worked. So many pumpkin ales are big to the point of being syrupy. After tasting this, I would rather have a pumpkin ale on the light side than heavy side.

D: Pleasantly surprised by this. Not generally a pumpkin or spiced beer fan, but this one was quite good. The pumpkin and spices are not over-powering. This is a sessionable beer that could easily be enjoyed beyond just the holiday season.

Serving type: can

05-02-2010 19:46:39 | More by oregonskibum

EskimoDave

British Columbia (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Red Racer Pumpkin Ale pours, an unsurprisingly, orange-copper. A tan head leaves some lacing. The aroma is of a cold pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin pie. When you taste it the spices found in a pumpkin pie pick up. This beer does taste somewhat like a pumpkin pie with hints of caramel. It's smooth drinking and quite enjoyable. I'd had a sample of a pumpkin beer that tasted exactly like a liquidized pumpkin pie. It was no good. Oddly Red Racer Pumpkin Ale didn't go well with a pumpkin pie that my sister had made.

Serving type: can

04-20-2010 22:53:50 | More by EskimoDave

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Copper-amber with a light tan head, good retention & lace.

S: Light spicing, cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger or mace?

T: Cinnamon, a little nutmeg, vanilla, biscuity malt, balanced bitterness.

M: Smooth moderate body is almost creamy.

D: A great drinker.

Serving type: can

04-06-2010 00:58:11 | More by Derek

OskarL

Sweden

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear red/orange color with a disspates fast and leaves little lacing.

Smells almost like a pumpkin pie with the spices. Pumpkin, nutmeg and clove with some sweetness

Tastes pumpkin with spices, a little sweet malt and a little hops.

Creamy mouthfeel with a light/medium body and some carbonation.

Serving type: can

04-01-2010 03:58:06 | More by OskarL

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Can as an extra from EskimoDave - cheers man!

Pours a beautifully clear pumpkin orange/red with a finger of head that races (Red Racer, get it...) to dissolve, leaving not even a collar of bubbles. Subsequent swirls get a few bubbles but they also have no staying power.

Nose reveals a lightly sweet, meaty pumpkin that smells inviting, coupled with a nice balance of cinnamon and cloves. Right off the bat you can tell this is not a super-spicy pumpkin ale but it's fresh, clean and inviting.

Nice balance of spicing and pumpkin, a hint of a graham, caramel malt to back it up, light sweetness running through with just a hint of hop drying and bite in the back. Spicing is minimal but with a nice balance creates a very drinkable pumpkin ale. This is one you can imagine yourself drinking on just about any occasion and enjoying, not just at Thanksgiving. Potential is held back by a too thin mouthfeel and slightly too gassy carb (which is odd given the lack of bubbles on top).

Pretty neat beer, not over the top on the spicing or pumpkin, yet just enough to remind you this is special. Would gladly drink again, thanks Dave!

Serving type: can

02-02-2010 02:09:54 | More by ritzkiss

Long813

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Received this via trade from wordemupg.

G: Pint Glass

A: Clear dark orange body with one inch white head which had pour retention. Leaves very little lacing

S: The pumpkin is very strong with spices of nutmeg and cloves faintly in the background. I do enjoy the emphasis on the pumpkin over the spices as it's a nice change.

T: Strong pumpkin flavour up front with distint spices following.

M: Medium light body with medium carbonation. Has a creamy feel that ends with a spicy finish.

D: Very well made pumpkin beer. It focus more on the pumpkin than the spices which is new for me. I feel it should have stronger spiced flavour though.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2009 03:09:05 | More by Long813

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 is the year of the Pumpkin Ale in BC this Fall. While the best one has to be the Imperial Pumpkin from Howe Sound Brewing this is a contender. Not as big as Howe Sounds offering this is more malt and dare I say Pumkin than spice. The beer is very drinkable and sits well in the finish. Close to the Winter Ale in mouthfeel and malt backbone ( not hopcentric like the PA and the IPA). Limited release but found in the Winter Mixes case which is great.

Serving type: can

11-24-2009 19:48:46 | More by canucklehead