Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin (Pugsley's Signature Series) - Shipyard Brewing Co.

plaid75

New York

3.79/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a shiny brass hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and little lacing.

The smell was akin to gingerbread.

The taste consisted of an earthy sweetness, with waves of nutmeg and ginger.

The mouthfeel was full and chewy.

Overall a pretty nice imperial pumpkin.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 23:04:59 | More by plaid75

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.59/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

"Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. The OG and final Alc./Vol. provide the structure and body. Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich Malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit. To fully enjoy all the flavours, this ale is best drunk at 55 degrees Fahrenheit." Brewed in the style of a Pumpkin Ale

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber to a pint glass. Served north of 55º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a creamy white head over a mildly hazy orange head with some moderate carbonation. Retention is slightly above average with no lacing. Decent appearance. 3.25

(Smell) Tart pumpkin meat with a moderate sour characteristic, mild husky grain malt, and a mild grassy hop note. Fairly interesting aroma, I do enjoy the sourness in the aroma. 4

(Taste) Maple sugar, sweet pumpkin meat, moderate bitterness on the finish. Balance is distinctively sweet with a mild tartness, not nearly as intense as in the aroma. Spice profile is mild, some cinnamon, nutmeg but nothing major. Cloyingly sweet, maple syrup sweetness. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Slick sweetness with mild carbonation. Body is medium+ for Pumpkin Ales, medium+ amongst all beers. Alcohol is well concealed. 3.5

(Overall) A very sweet tasting, sour smelling pumpkin beer. The pumpkin flavor isn't too shallow in this one, but the balance is very off. Not the best Pumpkin Ale I've had but all the problems are relating to things that are overdone instead of underdone, meaning it can easily be fixed and probably should to craft a really enjoyable ale. 3.5

Shipyard Brewing Company's
Smashed Pumpkin Ale
3.59/5.00

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 06:57:25 | More by Jadjunk

patre_tim

China

4.11/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Copper, slight orange tinge, filtered, 2 finger white head fades to foam, good lacing. Well carbonated.

S: Pumpkin flesh, nutmeg, cream, a sort of plasticy phenol smell.

T: Sweet, phenol plastic, pumpkin flesh, nutmeg, with alcohol definitely present. Not much bitterness if any. Reminds me of a marzan or Octoberfest beer due to the alcohol presence.

M: Thick, somewhat bready, medium low carbonation.

O: Delayed trying this one but glad I did find a bottle in January, the last one on the shelf. The manager at LCBO said he was going to buy it if I hadn’t that night. Not disappointed at all. I enjoy the weight of the pumpkin, balance of sweetness and pumpkin flavour.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 04:02:46 | More by patre_tim

weonfire

Kentucky

4.11/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a into two tulip glasses from a 650 mL bottle.

A - Very nice light/golden orange/brown. pencil thin head. headed faded after 1-2 min.

S - Beautiful pumpkin. spices are excellent. cinnamon, trace nutmeg - its very nice.

T - smells better than the taste. Pumpkin is there. but from the scent i was thinking this was going to be much more full bodied. that being said- it is not watery by any means. the pumpkin scent is just that wonderful it makes you think you're for something heavy.

M - high viscosity. for 9AVB alcohol is semi hidden. small burn on the tongue.

O - very nice beer. love the pumpkin. love the smell. had a few of these in my day. i would say very nice pumpkin beer. i will continue to buy.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 02:33:41 | More by weonfire

Skeeter206

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - dark orange color, good color pours with a 2 finger head. Decent lacing as you drink.

S - smells of very strong pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Great smell.

T - good upfront taste with strong pumpkin followed by the cinnamon and nutmeg. Not the greatest balancing however as you can definitely tell It's high in alcohol, maybe done hops in the taste as well.

M - good mouthfeel as it isn't too carbonated, a little syrupy.

O - a pretty decent pumpkin beer, but not one if the better imperials. I would take pumpking instead any time. Not something you would like to drink a lot of in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 02:29:56 | More by Skeeter206

cattersley

Ontario (Canada)

4.73/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best Pumpkin Beer I have ever had. Pumpkin taste is so sweat, no over powering, no BS with over spicing. Appearance a light golden brown colour. Even on smell, just pumpkin. Like I said on the spice, only a light taste on the sides of the tongue 3/4 of the way through the sip, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. I am blown away. This is the way a pumkin beer should taste, the balance in the brew is amazing!

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 01:46:02 | More by cattersley

Jade

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this big bottle into a brandy snifter.

A- Nice orange glow with a little haze. Small white head which slowly dissipated.

S - Pumpkin, malts and nutmeg are the overwhelming scents.

T - Wonderful full-bodied pumpkin flavored ale. No artificial flavors like some. Not pumpkin pie, just pumpkin. Very fresh and tasty. Alcohol nicely hidden.

M - As I said previously, nice full-body. Perfect carbonation and feel for the style. A sipper, yet refreshing.

O - One of, if not the best pumpkin ales out there! Only wish it came in 12oz bottles. Drinking in December, but oh- so good! Worth a taste!

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 01:01:15 | More by Jade

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass; no bottle dating, but likely to be from this years batch. Pours slightly hazy golden orange color with a 1 finger dense off white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big pumpkin, clove, caramel, nutmeg, toast, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and light pepper. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity. Taste of pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, toast, ginger, allspice, biscuit, caramel, and light herbal. Light spice bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, toast, biscuit, allspice, caramel, and light herbal on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance of flavors with good malt/spice complexity; zero cloying sweetness present after the finish. This wasn’t as robust in flavor as I was expecting for a 9% beer, but it was good enough. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly slick and lightly syrupy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice imperial pumpkin ale. Nice spice and malt flavor complexity and balance; and very smooth to sip on. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 06:07:08 | More by superspak

TheSixthRing

California

1.98/5  rDev -46.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Appearance - Poured aggressively, this hazy, bright golden orange brew produced a white, finger width head. The retention was sub-par, and the lacing was virtually non-existent.

Smell - Sweet, sugary aroma with hints of pumpkin and spice.

Taste - If I had to describe it in 10 words or less, it'd be this: caramel cola flavor infused with artificial pumpkin and spice. Sugary caramel, hints of cinnamon and even less so of nutmeg, while the pumpkin sits idly in back.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium body, with an overcarbonation that hits on cola levels. Sticky.

Overall - Ugghh. Tastes quite literally like a pumpkin cola. I'm sorry, this is just awful. If there's any redeeming value, it's that it does well to hide the 9% ABV, but that's it. Not only would I never buy it again, I'd care to never see it on shelves again. Maybe the worst pumpkin ale I've ever had. I'd rather have a BMC than this dreck. I don't believe much in drain pours, but this one's getting serious consideration.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:01:05 | More by TheSixthRing

sarajayne

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

To sum it up- I loved it! It was a darker beer with a great pumpkin flavor. Many real beer drinkers believe the pumpkinhead is a cop out because it is not a real hardy beer, but this one sure overcame those stereotypes! We didn't give it a full 5 out of 5 because it was a little bitter for our liking.

Collage girls drink GOOD beer:
www.brewreviewboston.blogspot.com

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 22:33:27 | More by sarajayne

jsisko01

Michigan

2.9/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours an orange/copper color with an inch thick head that dissipates instantly. Leaves a thin, spotty lacing.

Smell - Lots of spices. Nutmeg seems to be the most powerful, followed by pumpkin, then cinnamon. Other spices are present as well.

Taste - Wow.. very spicy. Pumpkin spice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and allspice. It's VERY sweet and has an alcohol bite in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Light-medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall - This would be pretty good if the strong alcohol taste didn't gross me out.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 03:47:42 | More by jsisko01

sweemzander

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -33%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

22oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

(A)- Pours a lightly hazed orange color. Some white froth and lacing.

(S)- A light; almost airy caramel in front of a really subdued pumpkin spice. Almost has a cornmeal thing to it too.

(T)- A bit high in the hop department; a sharp citrus twang up front that kinda gets the pumpkin and spice lost.

(M)- A good carbonation level. An ok balance, but just way too much hops in the way of what probably would have been nice pumpkin and spice notes.

(O)- A decent beer for the style, but it gets lost with the high (way too high) hop addition.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 19:20:49 | More by sweemzander

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very slightly hazy copper to reddish brown in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall creamy beige head that slowly reduces to a small patch of large bubbles, a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer, and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice) with some light hints of sweetness. Also, there is a very light presence of alcohol in the smell.

T: There are some light notes of sweetness upfront in this beer (almost like a cream soda sweetness). There are moderate flavors of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices - nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and vanilla.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of alcohol warming in the finish.

O: Enjoyable with very good pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices which are in good balance with one another. Easy to drink because the beer is not overly sweet and the alcohol is pretty well hidden in the taste - though at 9% ABV this is very much a sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 02:47:25 | More by dbrauneis

macrosmatic

Florida

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into a Peg's snifter glass.

A: A glowing, hazy, orange-yellow pour. One-finger white head and a moderate amount of visible carbonation.

S: Pumpkin fruity, some citrus fruit, along with some spice (nutmeg).

T: Pumpkin pie flavors with some citrus flavors in the background. Sweeter than expected.

M: Lighter body, a sweet-tart mouthfeel. Lower amount of carbonation sensation but enough.

O: Pretty good. Pumpkin beers are not generally my favorite, but this one is acceptable. Wouldn't seek out another.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 19:38:53 | More by macrosmatic

Cavanaghty

Maine

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Hazy copper color with a thin off white head. No lacing.

Smell: Faint spices and pumpkin, not easily detectable by my nose.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Medium bodied smooth and thick. Taste of Pumpkin, light spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Great well balanced flavor.

Overall: Great pumpkin ale, very well crafted. I will buy this one again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 20:40:09 | More by Cavanaghty

bnes09

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Deep orange, translucent ale with towering head. Excellent retention with smooth, creamy lacing.

Sweet cane sugar aroma with pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ultra-sweet sugary flavor with a hint of bready malt. Plenty of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spicy, pine-like hop character attempts to balance the sweetness but fails. Not terrible just too sweet for my taste.

Thick feel, syrupy, dry in the finish, sticky, lowish carbonation.

Slightly above average for pumpkin beer but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 05:27:51 | More by bnes09

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Into a pint glass:

A: hazy copper/orange colored body with a very thin slightly bubbly head that dies before it was even noticed. The body was too dark for any carbonation to be seen rising.

S: nutmeg, cinnamon along with some light cream and vanilla, pumpkin was very subdued.

T: basically the same with a semi-bittersweet finish, combined nicely between the sweeter flavorings and the bitterness.

M: medium with some slight sharpness here and there on the tongue. This wasn't a very drinkable beer - one bomber and done (if one could do the whole thing).

O: I'm honestly not that impressed at least for me, but for the "pumpkin" style this is good, if you're into that sort of thing.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 13:15:57 | More by kangarooAdam59

ROBSTARR

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Not bad for a pumpkin ale. Pours a bright orange coppery color with a small tan head into a snifter. The smell is strong pumpkin pie with lots of spices. Big sugary sweetness going on in this one, with a good nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin taste. Over all its was a bit too sweet for my taste. But one of the better pumpkin ales I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:50:49 | More by ROBSTARR

rangerred

Tennessee

4.33/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter out of a 22oz bomber.

Pours a hazy dark copper/orange with a very thin fizzy head that dissipates to a nice ring around the top of the beer.

Aroma has a decent amount of nutmeg and cinnamon along with cream and vanilla. Definitely has a "pumpkin" character but there is also some malt detectable. Nicely balanced.

Flavor has nutmeg and cinnamon upfront along with a touch of vanilla and cream. Some caramel malt is there along with a bit of oily slickness on the lips. Moderate bitterness all the way through and it never gets too sweet unlike a lot of pumpkin beers. The flavors linger for a long time after the finish and it is almost drying making you want to take another sip.

Overall, one of the best pumpkin beers I have had. Not a sugar bomb and it really seems like there is actual pumpkin here, not just tons of spices. Perfectly balanced and drinkable at 9% with just a slight, pleasant warming. A wonderful fall beer that everyone should seek out.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 00:44:52 | More by rangerred

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

orange. no head. thin film.
smells like a pudding mix.
tastes like a pudding mix - pumpkin/butterscotch with alcohol added. like an experiment where someone tried to add alcohol to a food (think jello shots). but i suppose it'a attempting to be a verifiable classification of beer, so i'll review it that way.
medium to heavy, minimal carbonation.
overall? hmm.... definitely has the alcohol burn, but at 9% i suppose i should be expecting it. i mean, pumpkin is still borderline 'novelty', is it not? very interesting smell, and very interesting taste. the reason i chose this today is because i read in a Yahoo! column that it was either the 'best' or 2nd best pumpkin beer available this year. and i've never had a pumpkin i have really enjoyed. i was very surprised to see the 9% abv.
i wouldnt drink another one, but it isnt all that bad. i think they did a decent job of putting a pumpkin in a beer.... i can feel my head warming up . . . .

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 23:37:10 | More by pkalix

Roose13

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into pint glass

A: Orange. Had a nice two-finger white head

S: Smelled like pumpkin pie. Nutmeg, spices

T: Vanilla, pumpkin pie, cream, nutmeg. It tasted like a slice of pie

M: Medium body, lightly carbonated. Tastes lasts a long time too.

Overall. Damn good pumpkin beer. Top five for sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 01:33:32 | More by Roose13

brureview

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very good fall seasonal.

Aroma: light pumpkin
Color: attractive light tea-cider
MOuth feel: smooth, little carbonation
Taste:cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin. Very balanced.

Overall: lighter body, cider-like consistency. Not only a pumpkin beer- a very good Fall seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 02:48:06 | More by brureview

AgentMunky

Alabama

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet.

A: Golden copper, clear golden (lagery) in the light. Transparent.

S: Vanilla, nutmeg, and allspice. Eggnog and creme brulee. Yum.

T: Pumpkin pie. Seriously. It's like you put the filling into a blender and bottled it. I enjoy it. Not much else to say.

M: Just fine. :)

O: Great pumpkin beer, if lightly artificial and/or heavy-handed. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 03:38:22 | More by AgentMunky

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance in a very nice amber with a good head at pour. Head remains around the rim of the glass but mostly disappates over time to a thin rings round the edge of the glass. Smells of pumpkin, nutmeg and other spices - strong and almost a hint of sour. Sour disappears in the taste and overwhelmed with pumpkin and heavy malts. This beer is sweet in flavor - maybe a molasses or brown sugar.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 20:39:51 | More by Oakenator

TheBigLebrewski

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Before I get to the criteria, great photo!, and I want to say this beer tastes more like pumpkin pie than any I've had.

An orangish light brown resting beautifully in a goblet. The head pretty quickly dissipates. Not cloudy, though the color holds in the light.

Smell, again, is all pumpkin pie, and the sort that implies you need to eat a slice. Nutmeg is enjoyably present, perking the taste buds for what comes next.

Taste, as I've mentioned, is: on-point-after-Thanksgiving-dinner pumpkin pie. Not too sweet in any respect; more of the allspice that is vital to a good pumpkin pie, the perfect stir of nutmeg, without the cinnamon overtaking it. Not much else to say about it, but don't think I'm not enjoying this one!

Mouthfeel is great. Thick enough to meet the expectations of the type, but equally easy drinking. The allspice lingers in the back of the mouth, though not detrimentally - kind of just reminding you what you're drinking. A damn good time if your looking for the pied version of a pumpkin ale. Thank you Pugsley!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 03:07:58 | More by TheBigLebrewski