Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

asabreed

New York

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. Freshness date notched at best by January 2007.

Appearance: I have to admit, I gave it a fairly virgorous pour, but there are some beautiful full circular lacing patterns hanging out around the glass as I speak, and I haven't seen that in a while. Head stays strong and bulky floating above the body of the brew. Hue's a light orange with yellow tints, with a scarce amount of bubbles ambling to the top.

Smell: Heavy on the spice, but not artificial spice or feigned ingredients, at least seemingly, here. I get the sense that there's some real pumpkin in here along with cinnamon, nutmeg... slight ginger aromas come out very well, in addition to some bread curst. Also some earthy notes. Sweetness is apparent of course, but welcoming and not cloying in the nose.

Taste: The spicy nature of the brew comes out well with some ginger, cinnamon, and pumpkin mash flavors. Earthiness and bread come through a bit also, with some sweetness that lends itself more to a flavorful slight hop bite by the finish. More complex than a lot of domestics, with a good balance between spice, sweetness, and hops that serves this well is a possible session beer also.

Mouthfeel: A good initial crispness with a fairly medium-bodied feel, with an even fuller feel near the finish without being to sweet or syrupy or anything as such.

Drinkability: As far as I'm concerned, this is pretty much the best domestic Pumpkin Ale that's available in 6-packs at least in my area. Since it's a treat for me and I love the season, I try to not to make a session out of these and make them last, but it's not easy.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2006 00:14:52 | More by asabreed

abuliarose

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a snifter to reveal light orange-amber color and decent, airy head. Smells pretty solid for a pumpkin ale. The pumpkin really comes through, accented by spices and a slight citrus tang.

Tastes... like an ale with pumpkin! It's got a great crisp bitterness to it that I'd take in my ale any day, but the flavor of pumpkin is up front and in your face. The spices add a little to the kick which smacks mostly of hop and citrus rind. The almost medium bodied-thickness is separated efficiently by the carbonation which bites but dies fast. It's not as sweet or smooth as other pumpkin ales, but in a good way. I happen to find this exceptionally drinkable and very refreshing for its style.

Word up, Smuttynose. Word up.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 02:31:13 | More by abuliarose

Genuine

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite Pumpkin beers to date. My usual favorites have been DFH Punkin' and ST Pumking.

Poured out a nice copper color, cream/offwhite head which sat beautifully upon the body.

Smell - The aroma does not dissappoint...smells of cinnamon and nutmeg, pumpkin pie spices...this one just smells delicious.

Taste - don't let me down...and it doesn't. This is such a wonderful pumpkin beer...tastes just as it smells, very smooth..the carbonation is just perfect

Drinkability - I could definitely have a few of these on a chilly autumn afternoon. Perfect combination!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2010 14:56:33 | More by Genuine

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is just a fantastic fall ale, perfect for a cool evening happy hour.

The smell is what you'd expect, PUMPKIN. But not that artificial pumpkin you find in other beers. This is legit, with a pumpkin mash being brewed right into the ale.

It tastes delicious, pumpkiny and ale working in perfect harmony.

And the best part, it's not overly heavy so you can have 2-3 of them and not feel totally stuffed.

A BIG thumbs up.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 19:37:22 | More by devinoconnor

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle to pint glass. Enjoyed throughout October and November, reviewed 11/22. "Best Before Jan 2011."

A: A relatively small off-white foamy head is long lasting and is propped up by the murky golden-orange body. The head deposits some serious chunks of foamy lace and the body continues to provide evidence of each sip. This excellent display of lacing solidifies a high appearance rating. A larger head would have secured a perfect score.

S: The nose provides the perfect blend of pumpkin and spice. Well-rounded notes of cinnamon and nutmeg are fairly restrained letting a brown sugar component to come through. Light aromas of butter and toffee play supporting roles.

T: This is the best pumpkin beer that I have tasted this season. Where most pumpkin beers are either too spicy, too sweet, too pumpkin-y or not pumpkin-y enough, Smuttynose has managed to find the right balance. All natural, unsweetened pumpkin meat and puree flavor carry evenly throughout the palate. A bitterness on the finish does, however, bring the flavor to a quicker finish than expected. But just slightly.

M: A medium-light body that is pleasantly carbonated and perhaps a touch thin at times. In any case, these qualities, combined with the exceptional balance of flavors, make for a brew that goes down quickly.

D: Very good drinkability. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale is one of the few pumpkin beers that can be consumed one after another.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 16:17:04 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

roadhouse

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This pours up a beautiful orange color just as you would expect a pumpkin ale to. It was nice in the nose with the usual pumpkin spices with a light sweetness. The taste follows and boy was this one crisp and refreshing. Fall in a bottle. I'm in Florida now but this took me back to the crisp Autumn of the north. This is the be-all-end-all of "normal" ABV pumpkin beers. I tried about ten different pumpkin beers this season and there was not even a contender to this. Look no further chaps, this one is it.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 18:37:41 | More by roadhouse

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very simple label merely adds to the appeal of this beer. A fuzzy orange color, with just a slight white lacey head. Taste is a cornacopia of nutmeg, pumpkin and assorted spices. Keeps it's bold ale body, ensuring a delightful tasting beverage, worthy of Smuttynose.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2003 14:34:03 | More by bewareOFpenguin

WaltTrombone

New York

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got a sixer of this, not expecting much, more along the lines of "It's Smuttynose, how bad could it be?" Well, I was more than pleasantly surprised by this beer. It's pumpkin pie in a bottle, all you need is whipped cream. The body is a dark, pumpkin-y orange, with a beige head instead of whipped cream. The aroma is nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, pumpkin, malt. I'm flashing back to my grandma working at LaScala's Bakery in the Bronx, right around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Taste is nutmeg, clove, pumpkin and malt, overlaid with a touch of bitter hops, which does a great job balancing the sweetness. Mouthfeel is light and smooth, with a medium carbonation. The finish was mostly hops, with some malt and nutmeg.

I love this beer! This'll definitely make an appearance at Thanksgiving dinner.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2003 13:52:09 | More by WaltTrombone

ithacabaron

California

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a burnt pumpkin orange.

Smells are of cloves, cinnamon, and a generous amount of "cooked pumpkin", as opposed to raw, squash-like pumpkin.

Carbonation is the key here, lending just the proper amount to dance on the tongue, while still allowing the ale to sit and develop on the palate.

Tastes are rich, with spices (a majority of cloves), and a sweet pumpkin finish. Like drinking pumpkin pie in a bottle, but not as sweet. Excellent example of this style, and a far cry from the Post Road Pumpkin Ale I almost had to pour out a few days earlier.

All in all, an excellent beer. Would love to have this for a halloween weekend session.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2003 02:51:44 | More by ithacabaron

dmarch

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Orange-amber in color with a thin lace. Spicy aroma, lots of ginger and cloves. Much of the same in the taste. Very good mix of spices. They're obvious, but not overpowering. Very sweet, like pumpkin pie, but not so sweet that it makes in undrinkable. One of the better pumpkin ales I have experienced.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2003 00:44:13 | More by dmarch

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This thing gushed like mad, the stuff couldn't wait to get out of the bottle and onto the floor. Oh well.

Color is a mildly hazed burnt-orange fall-leaf color, with a thick rocky head made entirely of tiny bubbles. Healthy lace leavings as the glass empties.

Aroma is allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and perhaps the most authentically pumpkin-y aroma in any pumpkin ale I've tried so far.

The search for a better pumpkin ale may not be over, but this is the best I've had yet. A light spiciness prevails, all the spices you would use in making a pumpkin pie, with a creamy, just slightly sour milkiness lifting up the incredibly authentic pumpkin flavor. All the usual ale characteristics are here too. Quenching, authentic, comforting...this is extremely well-balanced and not at all artificial-tasting. It's the pumpkin ale which I will judge all others by.

Just because of what it is, this is not something to drink every day, but something to savor and save for just the right time. It also avoids feeling like a novelty, as many pumpkin ales do, standing as a lovingly well-crafted brew, first and foremost. If there's one pumpkin ale that should win over those who are skeptical of the style, this is it.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2007 20:24:33 | More by Metalmonk

BeerPhan86

New York

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank plenty of samples of this at the Madison County HopFest. It was excellent. Most pumpkin ales are little more than a spicy brown ale. This is what a good pumpkin ale should be.

A - Nice and bright orange colored with a two finger tan head. Seems very carbonated.

S - Pumpkin and spice. Very subtle, no malt that I can detect. Some hops.

T - Big pumpkin flavor up front that resolves into a nice, spicy, and surprisingly hoppy finish. This is sharper and hoppier than most pumpkin ales, and less of a sweet brown ale. The pumpkin is also much more predominant in the taste than the spices. The spices are more subdued but definitely there, the main taste is of hops and that nice squash flavor. Finishes pretty dry and makes me want another sip!

M - Medium bodied and a bit overcarbonated for my tastes.

D - I could drink plenty of these.

This is a very hoppy and sharp tasting pumpkin ale that features more pumpkin flavor than most I have tried. Very nice. It was far far better on tap but honestly even in a bottle it is better than most other pumpkin ales you can buy, save for Punkin and Pumking.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 01:55:39 | More by BeerPhan86

Ezekiel81923

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased a case of 12oz bottles from the Beeryard as soon as it came in. After trying this beer last fall, it is now the first beer I seek out when fall beers hit the shelves.

Appearance: A nice, deep amber color. Hazy. Fluffy white head rises and falls pretty quickly, leaving some small bubbles at the top, which leave a nice lacing down the glass as you drink.

Smell: Nutmeg and allspice. This isn't an overly spicy pumpkin ale, which is why I like it so much. There is a sweet caramel backbone. A hint of pumpkin in the nose enticing you to dive in.

Taste: Cinnamon, nutmeg at first, quickly followed by a delicious pumpkin flavor. More pumpkin than you'd expect given the aroma. The pumpkin segue's into a sweet caramel flavor before the spices make a quick return before you swallow. Aftertaste is a nice mixture of sweet spiciness and pumpkin.

Mouthfeel: Decently carbonated. The finish sometimes feels a little "dirty" to me, for a lack of a better word. Medium bodied, not very heavy.

Drinkability: Very good. Not too spicy, tastes great and its not so heavy that after one or two you're full. I've drank many of these in a night on several occasions. That's how good it is.

Love this beer. My favorite Smutty so far. Definitely looking for more.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2009 18:23:51 | More by Ezekiel81923

jwarren2388

New York

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured from a 12 oz into a 'perfect pint'. Had a finger length head that was tan in hue with a decent amount of retention. The body of the beer itself was a burnt copper and orange color which was perfect for this one since it looked like a pumpkin.

Smell: There isn't a whole hell of a lot of pumpkin there but rather smelled like pumpkin spice in all aspects from allspice to cinnamon and clove, even a touch of coriander.

Taste: This one gets the job done nicely. The spice from the nose was a great precursor because this beer is exactly what it claims to be. Straight up pumpkin. It has pie like characteristics with the nutmeg that is prevalent but the hoppy finish reminds us that there is a second part to the style, that being 'ale'.

Mouthfeel: Not overpowering with the carbonation, medium bodied and syrupy and left a welcomed aftertaste.

Drinkability: Considering I sessioned with this all night on Halloween.

Overall: I'd say this one hit the mark and will seek it out the next time hallows eve rolls around. Has the right amount of balance between sweet and spicy and beer characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 18:55:58 | More by jwarren2388

scottyshades

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Transparent copper color with a small fizzly head

S: This and the flavor really set this pumpkin apart from 90% of others. The pumpkin seems more real and earthy instead of artificial, over-spiced and sweet.

T: Awesome flavors. Truly amazing for the style...spices play a smaller role than in other beers. Pumpkin flavor are earthy and mellow

MF/d: moderate carbonation, medium feel, lightly spiced finish.

Notes: one of the best pumpkin beers, almost up there with Weyerbacher's

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 22:25:16 | More by scottyshades

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle fresh on the shelf this week.

Nice orange - reddish brown color, like the color of pumpkin. Off white head. Reasonable carbonation but not the best head retention. Definitely hazy, but good looking beer

Subtle aroma. What is there smells nice. Has a pumpkin, caramel crystal malts, and bready yeast. Aroma dissipates pretty quickly.

Soft but noticeable bitterness. Bread flavors. True pumpkin with a touch of cinnamon. End of the sip must have been an English yeast. The Pumpkin really stands out in this beer.

Really nice creaminess to the mouthfeel. Somewhat full body. Bitterness compliments the beer well. A little astringent at the end of the sip.

I get frustrated with pumpkin beers that are more about spicing than actual pumpkin flavor. And being such a subtle flavor, it is easily masked. Modest spicing is what I like about this beer.

Pumpkin Pie Beer= Southern Tier Pumpking
Pumpkin Beer= Smuttynose Pumpkin ale

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2010 00:00:01 | More by mlazzaro

adam42381

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass. Best before Feb 2011 printed on bottle.

Appearance: Pours a hazy caramel brown with golden and orange highlights. Features a 1/2 finger head which dissipates quickly. Nice lacing.

Smell: Excellent array of fall spices, pumpkin, clove and malt. Smells very much like pumpkin pie.

Taste: Spicy up front. Nutmeg definitely shines through. Light malt background in the middle followed by a light hoppyness at the finish. The fall spices are evident throughout. Aftertaste is surprisingly bitter but not overpowering. Tastes very similar to the smell. This is like a mixture of pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie in a bottle.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium-bodied with a decent amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: Very high drinkability. You could knock back several of these without any problem.

Overall: Very good beer overall. Just about the perfect fall beer when you're in the mood for something with pumpkin in it. I definitely recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 20:47:07 | More by adam42381

leokbelo

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a rich golden/copper on a pint glass, with a 2 inch creamy head, which turns into a nice 1/2 inch lacing that lasts till the end.
Rich pumpkin pie on the nose, with cinnamon and nutmeg, very sweet and very delicious.
Almost the same on the tongue, but not so sweet, with some hops to finish. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg again.
A very nice Pumpkin Ale, very drinkable.
Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 21:22:04 | More by leokbelo

carlos

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

<pink floyd "time" on>
purchased at Murph's Study hall, York, PA
frosty and cool on dinning room table - English pub glass
...and crack!
A: honey golden pour, rich mini-caviar cream head (which later settles into a chunky green-field and cream-patch pillow over orange/amber pumpkin orb. lovely.
S: butterscotch and gingerbread aroma - yeasty undertone - pumpkin spice yodle in background.
T: Well defined pumpkin shaped door to complex hoppi-land. orange zest incline to superior balanced finish.
M: anderson valley brewing
O: one of the best of fall 2011

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 18:45:54 | More by carlos

coombuyah26

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured into a Great Lakes snifter. Pours a cloudy burnt orange that just looks like fall, if fall were a color. Very attractive 1 finger head, which sticks around for a while. In general, better looking than most pumpkin ales I've had.

S- Citrusy hop aromas, backed by nutmeg and coriander. Not as overpowering on the pumpkin spice smell as many others.

T- Pleasantly surprising for a pumpkin ale. Hops in front, which is a welcome reprieve from the very malty assertions by other beers of this style. Pumpkin and spice on the tongue, with orange flavors at the finish.

M- Pretty heavy on the carbonation, and maybe not as well balanced as some others. Still, quite nice.

O- A very good representation of the style. Not overpowering, and still containing some very assertive hops. Good to have a beer that combines the maltiness inherent in pumpkin ales while not skipping out on the hops. Seriously, I've been having to alternate IPA's with my pumpkin ales just so I can get some hops. I only bought a single of this at my local Total Wine, but I have a feeling there's a sixer in my near future.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 02:28:46 | More by coombuyah26

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed 11/1/11

Appearance: A dark orange, appropriately pumpkin-colored - hazy, nice little white head with some above-average lacing

Smell: The focus here is balance - cooked, squashy pumpkin flesh and some spices - the usual pumpkin pie spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and allspice - not an overpowering amount of spice, just right - a solid malt backbone underneath - overall, on the sweet side

Taste: All-around solid - a nice mix of spices and pumpkin flavor - definitely spicy, but not a spice bomb - the real pumpkin really shines here - malts are nicely cooked and impart a nice amount of sweetness - some bitterness from some straight-up bitter hops - very well-balanced, not extreme

Mouthfeel: Medium body, bubbly carbonation, no cloying spiciness

Overall: One of the best everyday pumpkin beers, ever

I've been buying this every fall since I turned 21. It's not jaw-dropping in any way, but it's about as well-rounded as a pumpkin ale can be. It's definitely something to look forward to in the fall, and I'm glad I finally got around to reviewing it

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 04:00:24 | More by angrybabboon

stingo

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark orange color which is very agreeable. The nose is great nice round pumpkin front with floral hops around the edges.
The taste is no different - very pleasing to the palate as all parts are hit - pumpkin for the front, hops for the back in equal amounts (a very well balanced combination). Mouthfeel is medium to light, which is appropriate for an ale of this type. Drinkability is very good - an excellent autumn beverage as intended.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2004 00:59:00 | More by stingo

Jason

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz brown bottle with a bottled on date.

A- Semi-sticky white lace with a hazed dusty golden hue.

S- Pumpkin rind, spices and a mild malt sweetness in the nose.

T- Big fruity ale flavors, abundant of spices and a layer of fermented pumpkin. Malt sweetness holds its own with a balanced spice character. Finishes earthy.

M- Exceptionally smooth with a medium body.

D- True to New England, one of the few pumpkin ales I could drink all night long.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2005 00:57:10 | More by Jason

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz., unfiltered, best by September. Pours a hazy amber/orange with lots of sediment and floaties along with a 1 inch yellowish/tan head and a few bubbles that rise slowly. Kinda looks like their IPA. Smells of real pumpkin, some nutmeg and clove, and hops. The piney/citric hops are more bitter than I expected, but I like the hop kick. There's also malts and notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of cinnamon in the background. The accumulated spices in the last sip numb my mouth a bit. The body is medium and very smooth like their IPA, and you can tell it's unfiltered. A good version of a pumpkin.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2005 07:05:53 | More by mmmbeer

bossmanjg

New York

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

My brother-in-law, who is a local distributor got this one in a couple years ago, and has been up my arse the whole time to give it a try. SO here you go Aaron

Appearance: When it poured into my glass it headed right up, which was a nice sight to see. And the cream colored head lasted for a good while before dissipating to an adequate lace. The brew had a dark orange hue, slightly clouded, with minute chunks floating around. I hope they were supposed to be there.

Smell: Exceptionally fragrant. Lemon, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove were detected by my untrained senses. I spent a good 5 minutes just taking in the aroma of my first one.

Taste: Superb. Just enough spice, sweet, and tang, to make it enjoyable, but not so much as to be undrinkable past 1 or 2.

Mouth feel: Smooth. Not to heavy feeling but not watery either. Just right. Oh did I mention smooth?

Drinkability: This is most definitely a session beer for me. I drank a six, and then wanted some more. But it was to late to get more. (I mean for my non-drinking wife to get me more.) I would never Drink and Drive.

And just for the record, before you gloat Aaron, even a broken watch is right twice a day!


And as always remember the immortal words:

“Beer is proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy.”

~Benjamin Franklin

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2006 18:45:56 | More by bossmanjg