Pumpkin Ale - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber tinted orange, moderate cap of froth. Scent quite muted, light spicing and moderate pumpkin, hint of green apple. Taste expands seasonal spices a bit, pumpkin is flavorful but relatively uninteresting, needs more sweetness. Medium bodied, fairly high carbonation. A good, but middle of the road pumpkin brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 18:54:47 | More by rfgetz

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a nice clean amber pour with a minimal amount of head turning into a small rim of foam around the glass. smells of pumpkin pie, apples.
tastes a bit acidic up front.. kind of a vomit-like apple crossover... not saying it's a bad thing.. apples are actually not that bad coming back up! lol, but really though, it's a bit tart.. apply, then the pumpkin pie spices come up.. and it leaves a tart/acidic finish.
light-medium body.. nicely carbonated with a SLIGHT creamy feel on the lips.

i'm just either over the whole pumpkin beer thing, or this is the first captain lawrence beer i didn't really care for all that much. sorry guys, not your fault - i don't think! it's definitely very sweet.. so those looking for a sweet pumpkiny beer will be into it!

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 22:52:01 | More by facundoCNB

Amalak

New York

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A. Very light bronze color. It is completely see through with a few bubbles popping up here and there. It has a white foamy head that leaves some lace.

S. Very soft malty scent, mixed with lemon.

T. It tastes more like a light ale than a pumpkin. There are hints of pumpkin, some sugar, some malt. But a very mild taste all around.

M. Cirsp and refreshing.

O. It's a good beer, but it lacks a real kick, which I like out of a pumpkin ale. Nice, but nothing that stands out, either.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 01:35:26 | More by Amalak

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a crystal clear dark orange to copper in color with some highlights of amber and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall dense light beige head that reduces to a large patch of thin head and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Upfront the aroma of this beer is all pumpkin and it smells quite natural (no hints of artificial flavorings) and lighter aromas of pumpkin pie spices including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

T: This beer has a very pleasant flavor of natural pumpkin and caramel malts with some lighter notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Light amounts of non-lingering bitterness in the finish.

M: Slightly lighter than medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: I enjoyed that this was a pumpkin beer with lighter hints of pumpkin pie spices rather than liquid pumpkin pie - since this is not sweet I find it much easier to drink and more enjoyable. Definitely one to have again.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:12:39 | More by dbrauneis

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 64 oz growler into a nonic tumbler- pours a clear, dark amber color with less than a finger of head, minimal retention and no lacing.

Smell is pretty typical of a pumpkin ale- pumpkin, some cinnamon, balanced with some caramel malt, very faint trace of citrus hops.

Taste is consistent with the nose- a little bitterness up front, followed by the pumpkin, then barley makes its appearance, taken over by the pumpkin and spice. Nice, but nothing groundbreaking.

Mouthfeel is nice- medium light body, light prickly carbonation, sweet finish. This is a decent pumpkin ale- as I said, nothing particularly interesting but easy drinking. Manages to fend off the heat from Sriracha.

As an aside: I wonder if american brewers who make pumpkin ales instead of oktoberfests don't want to put in the time to lager? The marzen is a better style in my opinion...

Serving type: growler

09-20-2012 23:42:52 | More by Hopdaemon39

BigPlay1824

New York

3.38/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a pint glass

A: pours a clear light orange color with ample carbonation bubbles moving towards the top, nice fizzy white head which lingers very shortly before dissipating, leaves minimal lacing
S: really nice pumpkin spice scent, cloves are prominent, small amount of actual pumpkin notes
T: really smooth taste, nice and light on the spiciness but still with plenty of character, nice notes of nice cinnamon, slight clove, and overall pumpkin notes
M: medium carbonation tingle up front, smooth throughout, drinks beautifully light and smooth
O: quite happy with this one, although i feel like there is plenty of room for the pumpkin bombs were so used to seeing, i think it is exponentially more difficult and ballsy to make some thing like this, well balanced, highly drinkable, and non offensive

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:40:09 | More by BigPlay1824

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - mostly clear deep copper color with a off-white head that thinned to a ring.

S - fresh pumpkin pie aroma.

T - all the pumpkin pie spice flavor done right, tasty beer.

F - medium bodied with crisp carbonation, goes down smooth and easy.

O - good tasting fall seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 00:46:29 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Enjoyed immediately following the Harpoon UFO Pumpkin, and was surprised that I thought this was a slight notch below. But still very good.

Pours medium dark copper with some white foam a top. Its a clear kind of dark. Very faint pumpkin smell, some cinammon/nutmeg notes. Flavorful pumpkin taste with a smooth cinammon finish. Light bodied, smooth, loaded flavor. Cleaner than most. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 13:03:01 | More by KTCamm

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear amber orange in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense light beige head.
S: There are light aromas of pumpkins in the nose along with some hints of spices.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but has more pronounced flavors—pumpkin is most noticeable followed by notes of nutmeg and hints of cinnamon. There is a very light amount of bitterness; no sweetness is perceptible.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I liked this pumpkin beer because it was very drinkable and it had a nice flavor of pumpkins (not artificial) that was complemented by pumpkin pie spices (not dominated by them).

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 22:28:15 | More by metter98

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - dark browish orange, an average pours shows a thin white head that fades quickly, scant carbonation drifts upward

S - typical pumpkin beer aromas float up, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg. To me this has the sam problem as almost all pumpkin beers, all spice no pumpkin. Though the spices in this one seems somehow more inviting than others I have tried.

T - more of the same, with the roasted nutty malts roaring up from the depths to join the spice army in the battle to subdue the pumpkin flavors. However the malts and spices combine with the remnants of any pumpkin flavors for a great pumpkin pie type flavor.

M&O - thick and smooth on the palate, with a great layered flavor. Spices and nutty roasted malts. One thing, in the grocery stores carry canned pumpkin and canned Pumpkin Pie Mix, which is pumpkin plus the necessary spices. Why don't breweries make the same distinction? Would a pumpkin pie beer sell any less than a pumpkin beer? Regardless, this is a better example of a style I'm not particularly fond of. Kudos to CL.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 00:55:38 | More by sinstaineddemon

patriot76

New York

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz. bottle served in a pint glass

A- Pours a solid copper color with a slightly red hue along with a half inch head that dissapates. Slightly hazy.

S- The smell is appetizing with caramel malt and fall spices. There are really no hop or definitive pumpkin notes coming from this offering.

T- The caramel malt dominates the taste along with the previously mentioned fall spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon etc. A little low on the taste meter.

M- The brew hits the palate very slowly with an almost soda like quality that is quite thin at points. This has low carbonation with an easy finish. Not much lingering taste as the end of each sip.

O- Not bad, but not the best. In the middle as far as pumpkin ales go for me. I've had Southern Tier Imperial Pumpking so I think I'm ruined forever as far as other pumpkin ales go. Easy drinking but not mind blowing.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 16:28:06 | More by patriot76

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

We pour a brew of solid glowing orange. It holds a two finger head of creamy beige bubbles. This shows nice retention, leaving thick sheets of lacing around the glass. Carbonation appears moderate, and there is a chill haze to the beer, without sediment. The aroma is classic for a pumpkin ale. There is a deep spice of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, gingerbread, and raw clove. Honey adds sweetness, alongside pale and caramel malts. With warmth comes a cooling vanilla, some toasted wheat, fermented vegetables, and raw nutmeg. Our first impression is that this is a more “serious” pumpkin beer. The flavoring opens with biting metallic pale malts, and the same spice profile from the nose, with nutmeg, pumpkin spice, cooling vanilla, and cinnamon bitterness. The middle peaks with more wettish wheat grain, raw and bittering nuttiness, and flashes of sweeter cinnamon sugar. The finish lightens up a bit, with light lactic sours sitting amongst the grain which, here, takes on a borderline adjuncty vibe. Metallic comes in, but are bolstered by a stronger, more real pumpkin flavoring than anywhere before in the sip. The aftertaste breathes of metallic tin, salty pumpkin seeds, baker’s yeast, bittering wheaty grain, and genuine pumpkin flesh. The body is medium, and the carbonation is light to medium. There is light slurp and smack to each sip, with minimal cream and froth. The mouth is wetted and cooled, with a final spicy dryness down the hard palate. The abv is fine, and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was its genuine pumpkin flavoring, and general mildness throughout. Many beers of this style tend to overwhelm you with spice and depth, but forget about the importance of the actual pumpkin flavoring to the taste. Here we find a mature ale, with nice flavoring, and a decently hearty malt profile to back it all up.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 02:27:24 | More by TheBrewo

Willytee3

New York

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Captain Lawrence Pumpkin Ale 2012. 12oz bottle poured into a Captain Lawrence tulip glass.

Pours a clear red-orange amber. Thin head with good ring and thin film, lacing present but fades quickly.

Smells of spice and pumpin, a touch of sour wood and dry malt.

Tastes of spicy dry malt and fleshy gourd. A bit of hops bite on the finish with lingering cinnamon spice.

Overall a an enjoyable pumpkin beer that does not overdue the spices although a bit off balance with the dry malt. However I do like the dry malt contrast of this beer that makes it an approachable favorite of mine among this seasonal specialty.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 04:06:04 | More by Willytee3

alpinebryant

Connecticut

2.58/5  rDev -31%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a clear light pumpkin color with a respectable white head that leaves some spiderwebs.

S: Light malty brown ale, with a hint of fresh pumpkin, very minimal spicing.

T: Taste is similar to the taste, minimal in a lot of respects, there is the fresh pumpkin taste, but it is just barely there. Just hints of cinnamon, and barely mentionable nutmeg or allspice in the back.

M: Light body with a good amount of carbonation.

O: Possibly my taste has evolved, but I remember this being more robust in past years. Maybe it is the new brewing apparatus. In any case, its not great and I would have many other pumpkin ales in line ahead of this. light fizzy pumpkin ale. Not impressed (insert meme)

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 19:09:55 | More by alpinebryant

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.6/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12-ounce bottle into a plain tumbler pint glass.

A: Poured a dark, orange amber color with a two-finger head of dense, white carbonation that faded quickly and left a bit of lace.

S: Strong pumpkin flesh aroma with hints of caramel malt, salted pumpkin seeds and very minimal baked good spices.

T: Bittersweet from the start, this pumpkin ale seems to lean heavily on roasted malts and vegetable flavors. There isn't much in the way of sweetness from the malt or from "pumpkin pie" spices. It sort of has the flavor of an English ESB with some mild pumpkin flavor and a dash or two of ginger and cinnamon.

M: Medium-bodied ale with a slightly acidic body, possibly from the use of roasted pumpkin or adjunct spices.

O: Not a bad pumpkin beer and one that could session at 5.5% ABV, not that I'd necessarily want to. It's got a decent, if not all that interesting flavor and aroma. Possibly a cut above Saranac and below Smuttynose, and certainly not as interesting as the imperial pumpkin ales that will soon flood the aisles. I wouldn't turn one down, but I'm not in a rush to get it in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 22:55:55 | More by Gambrinus1184

cosmicevan

New York

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

bottle picked up locally, enjoyed from my capt lawrence tulip.

a - brew poured a transparent orange with a finger plus of foamy head. some visible carbonation could be seen.

s - pumpkin and autumn spicing. pot pouri. soft hints of spicy cinnamon.

t - surprisingly not all that pumpkiny...at least in the over-the-top way i've grown accustomed to for the style. kind of like a pumpkin lager. extremely malty and not that much spicy sweetness as suggested in the nose. as i sipped the beer, more pumpkin flavoring came out on my palate but still held onto a lagery pumpkin thing.

m - medium to light...soft. missing some zing that i love in the style.

o - overall a more subtle pumpkin. if you like punkin or pumpking, then this one will fall short for you as it is more malty than sweet. pretty good...not mind blowing.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 03:14:14 | More by cosmicevan

davey101

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Super fresh seeing as its only mid-August.

A - Typical dark yet clear brown body. Two finger high off white head settles down to a patchy cap. Almost no lacing or retention to speak of.

S - Roasted pumpkin, light bready malts, a touch of english style hops, smooth spices on the finish with just a hint of brown sugar sweetness.

T - Amazingly this has pumpkin flavor to it. Roasted pumpkins with a slight vegetal quality to it, light spices, and a great balance of bready caramel malts and ever so bitter english hops. A great deal of flavor, but it disappears quickly. Mouth feel is medium to light with a crisp carbonation.

O - This beer does seem to do things a bit differently than most pumpkin ales. Like other reviewers have noted, this is basically a session ale. A great REAL pumpkin flavor that is never too spicy or sweet. Perfect beer for the transition from summer into fall.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 01:55:27 | More by davey101

Durge

Connecticut

3.28/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This seasonal brew is a clear copper color, with a thin white head and very little lacing. The aroma is deep "yellow" vegetable with a mild herbal hop. Taste is raw pumpkin with light cinnamon squash. It’s a bit bitter and not at all sweet. It’s medium-light bodied with very mild carbonation. Feel is a midland sort of deal with a touch of dryness in the finish. I would like some sweetness and a touch more hops but this is a quality brew with an authentic pumpkin flavor. Just not my favorite side of the pumpkin ale variety.

Serving type: growler

11-14-2011 04:46:08 | More by Durge

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a transparent orange color. Minimal head that doesn't leave much in the way of lacing.

S-Light spices and pumpkin. Cracker malt. Pumpkin crackers. Sweet but the pumpkin is good in the nose.

T-Also pretty light. Cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. Pumpkin is light. Crisp taste but light in a good way.

M-Light with bunches of bubbles. Crisp. Clean and refreshing.

O/D-Don't love the style but this one is pretty good. Not overwhelming. Easy drinking. Not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2011 22:18:26 | More by VelvetExtract

corsendonkfan

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a dark bronze color. Had very little head but left some lacing on glass. I think it probably would have had much more head if poured correctly not by a waiter that doesn't know much about beer.

S: Had a typical smell for a pumpkin ale. Strong smell of sugar and pumpkins.

T: I'd have to say this is one of the better pumpkin ales I've had. It had a definite taste of pumpkins and sweetness of sugar and cinnamon spice, however unlike many pumpkin beers I've tried this did not overpower the taste of the beer. It did not have the overpowering spice taste that so many pumpkin beers have. Very drinkable beer.

M: Was very drinkable. I feel like i could have kept drinking it for a while without feeling full, made it perfect to have with dinner.

O: The only reason I don't rate this beer higher is I can't compare it to the complexity of some to the great beers that are brewed that give you a range of tastes. For a pumpkin ale though, I don't know if I have had a better one. The Captain Lawrence website says on its page for this beer, "Perfect match with Thanksgiving Dinner". I just wish I knew where I could get a growler of it so I could test their theory.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2011 07:53:53 | More by corsendonkfan

vfgccp

New York

2.58/5  rDev -31%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Amber in color, nice head, pretty good lace that lasted until the very last drop.

S - There are little undertones of spices like nutmeg, but they're much lighter than you'd expect in a pumpkin ale. Also a slight moss scent that's not all that pleasant.

T - Bold in flavors, but not the pumpkin ale flavors like spices. There is a slight hint of cinnamon on the back end, but its like a watered down cinnamon. There's a nutty flavor present as well.

M - Smooth going down, light on the back end.

O - Honestly tastes more like an Oktoberfest than a pumpkin ale due to the lack of spice in the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 06:28:38 | More by vfgccp

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received a 32 oz. growler of this in my first ever BIF. Not just one of the finest pumpkin beers I've ever had (it's the best), but one of the best beers I've ever had, period. I only wish this was a 384 oz. growler. Pours a beautiful bronze shade with a thin wispy head. The nose is a faint mix of vanilla, nutmeg, and yes, PUMPKIN. A pumpkin beer that SMELLS LIKE PUMPKIN? Oh yeah. Right here! The taste is so slick. I'm so tired of getting spiced the fuck out by pumpkin beers. This is light in body and overall flavor. You could session the hell out of this. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing. One of the few beers in my opinion, that could quench thirst. Top to bottom, this is a good goddam beer. I would drink this year 'round. Outfuckingstanding.

Serving type: growler

10-05-2011 03:59:33 | More by Retail1LO

Gmann

New York

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear golden copper color with a sudsy off-white head that settles into a solid ring.

The aroma is of light pumpkin along with light cinnamon and nutmeg. The aroma is not overpowering but you can tell that it is a pumpkin ale.

Light pumpkin spice in the flavor. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice pop through. The base is a neutral amber malt that lets the spice pop through. Some tea like flavors in the end.

The feel is light but solid with fizzy carbonation. Very balanced and crisp on the finish. A bit astringent. Real easy to drink.

An average pumpkin ale; a bit too light on the pumpkin flavor. It does drink very easy.

Serving type: growler

09-18-2011 00:51:41 | More by Gmann

drewba

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Many thanks to alewatcher for sharing this after getting this growler in a trade!

A - Slick golden yellow with a two finger white head and medium lacing.

S - Cinnamon, coriander and a little funk and tartness. Not a ton going on here.

T - Cinnamon, allspice, anise and a mild funkyness to it. While the spices are nice, not a real depth of flavor here. The pumpkin isn't here at all. There was a noticeable oxidation taste going on here, but it could have been from the growler, so I won't count that against it.

M - thin but creamy and the carbonation just pops - very nice.

D - Crispness and clean, wet finish make this a fast drinker.

Serving type: growler

01-03-2011 04:50:43 | More by drewba

scootny

New York

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A brilliantly clear copper with gentle carbonation moving through the glass. The moderate light khaki head leaves a nice amount of lace all the way down. While the the head fades kinda' fast it leaves a light covering that stirs up with each sip. The aroma is full of spices and pumpkin. Notes of vanilla, fruity yeast, and sweet light malt. A touch of butterscotch. There is a bit of hop earth as well. Taste follows the nose. There is a pale ale core that gives a bit of bread to the body. Hops are well balanced with a mix of herbs and earth. Finish is short and dry with a bit of grains. Feel is crisp and light with mild but tingly carbonation. This goes down quite nicely and is a great session ale. The overall balance of flavors makes this a pumpkin that like the Smutty you can enjoy every day. A super brew.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2010 02:28:03 | More by scootny