Rogue Farms Pumpkin Patch Ale - Rogue Ales

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First Growth Pumpkin Patch Ale (2012 bottling) opens to a rich, pumpkin pie aroma, the spices and pumpkin very nicely balanced to quite closely approximate that of a good pie: nutmeg, clove, allspice, and cinnamon mingling well with good measures of pumpkin meat. Unlike many pumpkin beers, the pumpkin and spice notes here are, while strong, not overwhelming; indeed, the nose has to be decently close to the brew to pick up a scent. The pie notes are supported by the sensation of a homemade graham cracker crust, with light toast crust notes for extra texture. Sugars from the malts add a layer of whipped cream, as well as caramel. Hops add a thin rind of pine scent, adding to the holiday/festive feel. As a whole, the nose is very nice, presenting a solid, understated pumpkin pie aroma.

On the tongue, the beer continues its resemblance to a well-made pumpkin pie, the spice notes – again, nutmeg, clove, allspice, coriander, with additional touches of white pepper – nicely mingling with pumpkin meat. The spices come across slightly heavier here than on the nose, and while not overspicing the beer, they do somewhat outshine the pumpkin. And the pumpkin notes, while mainly good, do have a slight raw edge to them, as if not fully baked. Toast crust and floury baguette add a pie crust rim, and light touches of apricot fruit esters add an interesting fruity complement to the pumpkin. Very light pine notes from the hops, though these do grow slightly late in the mouthful as the sugars die off, adding a resinous texture to the late notes. The aftertaste is much the same as the main mouthful, though with slightly more resinous hops, and lingers for a decent while. Mouthfeel is a watery medium-light, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is nice pumpkin ale, and perhaps a good introduction to the style for many. But I found the complexity and potency of the ale to lack somewhat, and the flavors (as well as the mouthfeel) to be overly watery. A measure or two more of ingredients, resulting in, among other details, a higher ABV, would have done this beer wonders.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 20:07:42 | More by jondeelee

Lukezilla90

Tennessee

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-11-2013 17:03:55 | More by Lukezilla90

MSandahl23

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-10-2013 19:51:35 | More by MSandahl23

ajtorres311

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-10-2013 16:49:18 | More by ajtorres311

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

05-09-2013 02:14:30 | More by tommyguz

curtismontcalm

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-06-2013 01:06:27 | More by curtismontcalm

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

04-28-2013 23:40:46 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

WynnO

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

04-27-2013 16:32:19 | More by WynnO

brwnchrstpher

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-22-2013 02:16:29 | More by brwnchrstpher

Bowers-Brew

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.6%

04-21-2013 22:09:59 | More by Bowers-Brew

normanburner

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

04-21-2013 21:04:36 | More by normanburner

Davepoolesque

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-16-2013 13:34:06 | More by Davepoolesque

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-13-2013 21:19:21 | More by DaPan

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

04-11-2013 03:25:42 | More by orangesol

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

04-11-2013 01:04:08 | More by Arsenal0328

jagada

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

04-07-2013 05:20:49 | More by jagada

garfscores

Connecticut

2/5  rDev -48.2%

04-06-2013 02:50:25 | More by garfscores

bacasnax

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-01-2013 22:29:00 | More by bacasnax

skylander7

Alabama

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bomber purchased in the fall from Liquor Express in Huntsville AL and shelved at home. Poured into a snifter on 3/30/13 at around 40 degrees at around noon.

-Pour: Good bit of head and carbonation in the glass. Head dissipated after about a minute or two. Very nice pumpkin hue to the color.

-Nose: Smells like pumpkin pie to me, nothing overly dramatic. I like pumpkin pie though so no worries!

-Taste: Pretty much the same. Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkins, wheat, some malts, spices. None of them were overbearing, but I felt that this was a much better balance of taste than most other pumpkin beer types that I've tried.

-A medium feel to it with medium carbonation, went down pretty smoothly.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 17:10:04 | More by skylander7

patre_tim

China

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

03-31-2013 03:08:58 | More by patre_tim

clayrock81

Virginia

3.84/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured a brownish auburn with decent head on top of a bready, subdued pumpkin and cinnamon aroma, not really noticing much else although a touch of other sugary goodness (probably caramel). It is a light to medium bodied beer that is smooth and easy to drink and finishes crisp and easy thanks to the spice and decent hops and carbonation. As for the taste, a good chunk of pumpkin is noticeable but it is not overpowering and thankfully the spices in here, like a touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, balance the beer, as do some sweet and bready. So while not overly sweet or pumpkiny, it is also not watery and too spicy and almost no pumpkin is noticeable as I have found in some other (cheap) pumpkin ales. Not the greatest or tastiest pumpkin ale but I got my "pumpkin fix" and it was sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert beer and that's all I ask.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 12:28:48 | More by clayrock81

beerhunter13

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

03-22-2013 10:31:18 | More by beerhunter13

Liana

California

4/5  rDev +3.6%

03-16-2013 00:22:40 | More by Liana

chippo33

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-12-2013 21:57:00 | More by chippo33

Stwinchy

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-12-2013 19:32:08 | More by Stwinchy