Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

iBeer16

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- dense dark gold color with small white head that leaves some good lacing around the cup.
S- pumpkin and allspice noticeable aroma also cloves, nutmeg, possibly cinnamon
T- nice balanced pumpkin flavor with the spices increasing the flavor profile
M- good carbonation, full body, leaves a great mouthfeel
O- definitely a decent pumpkin ale, not too harsh flavors, well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 18:47:30 | More by iBeer16

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light toasty brown with some sediment. Nice soft head with staying power and some serious lacing.

Nose: Allspice, fresh . . . clean? Toasted grain.

Taste and feel: Slightly dry with a nice mild/moderate bitterness. Good carbonation. Allspice, nutmeg, toasty, very understated pumpkin. A kiss of vanilla. This is another one of the pumpkins that exemplifies the feel of a pumpkin pie, without actually offering up huge pumpkin. Hops are here for bittering, but there isn't a lot of hop characteristic in flavor, for me.

I like Smutty, a lot. Not bad. This is now, like, my 4th or 5th favorite pumpkin beer?

Edits: reviewing pumpkin beers and pumpkin notes. I had to downgrade this slightly, but i'll give it this: my friends cleaned out a case at party in short time.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:21:40 | More by CheezyBlaster

OMGTheyKilkenny

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into a Samuel Adams Boston Lager glass.

A: Pours a murky golden orange. Quarter inch of creamy off white head fades to a thin layer on top. Solid lacing.

S: Very nice pumpkin aroma with a full bouquet of fall spices (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice). Sweet and inviting.

T: Rich taste of fall. Solid pumpkin flavor with autumn spices and brown sugar. Bready and sweet. A hint of grass and earthiness. Very mild floral hop character.

MF: Rich and smooth with a refreshing effervescence. Nice composition; a healthy body that isn’t bigger than it needs to be. Lingers on the back just long enough to let the pumpkin flavor resonate.

D: Better than most of what passes for pumpkin ale out there, but nothing truly mind-blowing. A good beer overall, nice example of my favorite style. I’d recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 01:10:39 | More by OMGTheyKilkenny

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-cloudy orange gold with sticky white head

S-a pretty decent mix of spice and pumpkin, not one is the main focus. Smells pretty good.

T-comes in with a bitter taste of pumpkin and spices. It's a faint taste. The bitterness isn't fair though. There's more focus on the after-taste on the spices.

M-medium bitter creamy carbonation with a dry finish

O-a let down from Smuttynose. It just loses so much focus on the flavors. There's a lot of bitterness here that would be more welcomed if it didn't overpower the rest of the beer. it's a decent drinker.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 02:31:44 | More by AdamBear

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.35/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a copper-orange color with a small white head. The head faded fast to leave a good level of lacing.

Smell – The smell was a mix of pumpkin and bready aroma. Mixed with these was a brown sugar sweetness with lighter notes of some nutmeg and allspice as well.

Taste – The taste was heaviest of a bready malt flavor up front with only a brown sugar flavor. The pumpkin then comes to the tongue with some almost roasted malt flavors as well. By the end the sweetness has faded some and the beer is more dry in nature. In the middle of the taste as the roasted flavor enter and the sugar flavor fades, the presence of the some cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice also develop. In the end a spiced pumpkin flavor is left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average in terms of thickness and is average in its level of carbonation as well. For the pumpkin flavors the carbonation suits it well, but the body would have been better suited if it were a bit thicker.

Overall – Ah… It was a nice beer to try but not one I would really go to on any occasion.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2012 23:36:26 | More by Darkmagus82

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle served in a standard shaker pint.

pours a clear copper color with at least two inches of puffy, off-white head. retention is okay but nothing to write home about; some lacing evident.

nose is primarily of pumpkin, malt, and spices; smells decent though not incredibly potent. flavor profile mostly squares with the aroma. again, decent but nothing eye-opening. i get a dry, almost bitter finish that i don't particularly care for.

mouthfeel is light-bodied with medium to high carbonation. drinkability is solid in the sense that it's a lighter, refreshing beer (as far as pumpkins go) that's not too difficult to put back. in the final analysis to me this is a pretty average pumpkin; there are better style representations out there.

original reviewed on: 08-22-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 15:23:33 | More by BostonHops

cmadd

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The result of a large pumpkin ale tasting that I am only now entering.

A: One finger of white head receding slowly with soapy lacing. Brew is cloudy light pumpkin orange.

S: Cinnamon, subtle clove, sweet bready malt, and in the background a hard water and pumpkin earthiness.

T: Delicately sweet cinnamon forward with pumpkin undertones, earthy middle, grassy hops hold the finish.

M: Carbonated bite upfront. Maybe a bit too much.

O: Maybe my favourite pumpkin ale, because I prefer the drier grassy approach. I don't like pumpkin ales that try to mimic pumpkin pie with too much diacetyl.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 05:27:48 | More by cmadd

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy amber with golden highlights. 1 finger of tight laced head rises and dissipates slowly. Very good lacing and moderate-heavy carbonation.

N: Allspice, pumpkin skin, fennel and some notes of nutmeg.

T: Allspice, fennel and floral hops upfront which flows into biscuity malts and pumpkin rind. Finishes bitter with lemony citrus, traces of nutmeg and peppercorn.

M: Light-medium bodied, tingly with carbonation, crisp, bitter, dry, clean and refreshing.

O: Very crisp and refreshing but is not your typical Pumpkin Ale. Rather than pumpkin pie and spice flavors this takes a more vegetal approach with allspice and pumpkin rind. Nice bitterness with a definite hop presence. Easy drinking and sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 21:12:46 | More by justintcoons

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle. Pint glass.

A: It pours golden-orange with a thin creamy head that last throughout.

S: Pumpkin puree, cinammon, caramel, cloves.

T: Sweet sweet pumpkin, fall spices, and a twist of citrus.

M: It's light and really thin.

O: It's a little off; too many spices, not enough pumpkin perhaps.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 14:10:46 | More by bucklemyshoe

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.13/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a bronze color with some meandering sediment and a half inch head. Light passes through easily.

Smells like apple pie, yeast, and a bit of sage.

Several months old, hard to tell if that has an effect on the taste because I have had fresh pumpkin ales from other breweries that have tastes like this. Taste seems to include cardamom and clove. It also tastes like a wet vacuum cleaner. Reminds me of Harpoon UFO Pumpkin, which was bad…this one is a bit better.

Mouthfeel is almost refreshing. Watery for the most part with a bit of dirty boot.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 15:01:36 | More by Doppelbockulus

Jammies

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- pours a golden orange with about an inch of extremely thick foam. Phenomenal retention

S- incredibly sweet pumpkin smell

T- sweet and malty. More malty than anything

M- a bit watery

O- not the greatest pumpkin beer. Similar to others but a bit too malty for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 17:04:00 | More by Jammies

albertjr21

New York

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in a pint glass on 1-8-12, brew pours a clear rusty amber color under a fairly consistent head. "Pumpkin puree and spices," as indicated by the label, come through clearly in a sweet and biscuity malt aroma. The right amount of sweetness and earthy hops seem to balance along nicely with the veggie pumpkin taste. Pumpkin seems to be given the fair attention here that it deserves and is clearly the star of this show with the generous yet reserved typical cast of supporting Fall ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 23:06:08 | More by albertjr21

mattbk

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber-gold, slightly cloudy, looks nice, like fall leaves. Light head, that might've been from the growler I poured from.
S: Spices. I get nutmeg and brown sugar, maybe a bit of allspice. Some malt sweetness too. Fairly nice.
T: Taste has quite bit of malt sweetness, some hop bitterness, but a little flat overall. The spiciness in the aroma did not carry through to the flavor. Pretty drinkable though.
M: The mouthfeel real nice on this one, a lot of body, not very high on carbonation.
O: I wish the spiciness came through more on flavor. Otherwise a pretty good beer.

Serving type: growler

12-30-2011 20:17:21 | More by mattbk

Pencible

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a clear amber with moderate off-white head.
S: It smelled like copper and waxy hops, with a little pie crust and pumpkin spice and citrus zest.
T: It tasted like copper and waxy hops, with a little pumpkin spice and citrus zest and pie crust. It had a clean and bitter aftertaste.
M: It was watery with moderate carbonation. Decent body.
D: This was more of a mediocre pale ale than a pumpkin ale, with not very strong spicing. The scent and taste were ok but not great. The body was very average. It was easy enough to drink, but was ultimately a really poor example of the style. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 19:33:25 | More by Pencible

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

2.73/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a bright, hazy, orange-brown coloring that pours with a half-inch of biege, foamy, light head that disappears before I make it back to my seat from the kitchen. Light, enticing aromas of pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon, with an overall roasted quality. The beer has a light, slick cling on the glass that slides down with the level of the brew while you drink. Flavors are a bit more on the roasted side initially, with some tangy and sweet character blended through the pumpkin profiles. The spicing is much lighter than the aromas would lead you to believe would be present. The beer's body is much lighter than most other brews in this style. A slight hopping seems out of place at the end of the palate, causing a sharp drying and crisping feel at the end of the brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 04:00:40 | More by GarthDanielson

homebrew311

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into pint glass.

A: pours hazy orange color, fluffy 2 finger head, great retention, lots of lacing

S: nose is like a spice rack, heavy on cinnamon and nutmeg, the pumpkin puree is also very present. I smell everything I would expect from a pumpkin pie here, but for some reason it is just not jiving with me. Seems overly spiced.

T: well the brew is one dimensional, that one dimension is spices... notes of clove, cinnamon, and allspice. There is minimal malt depth and almost no body. This also lacks any kind of balance. It reminds me of what swallowing a teaspoon full of cinnamon would be like... kind of chalky and overly spicy

MF: light body, medium to high carbonation

O: this is probably the most disappointing Pumpkin Ale I have come across. I'm a big fan of most things pumpkin, but this attempt falls very short in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 07:16:18 | More by homebrew311

jhartley

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pint tumbler.
A beautiful cloudy unfiltered orange-golden-amber color.
Full 2 finger head that lasted a long time and left some nice lacing.
Immediate smells of pumpkin, nutmeg, allspice and alcohol.
Not a real strong pumpkin flavor like you would get with other pumpkin brews. The aroma is a little deceiving as it is not indicative of the taste. A strong bitter alcohol aftertaste.
A stronger brew for those months when it starts to get a little cooler out and dark earlier.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 18:59:54 | More by jhartley

iabeerbaron

Iowa

3.2/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle. Deep orange amber pour with a cloudy look and a thick white head. The aroma has a pumpkin spice, vegetable aroma with a light toasted malt smell. Right away there are flavors of cinnamon, allspice and clove along with some pumpkin and vegetable and malt.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 23:46:41 | More by iabeerbaron

Yagman3000

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served from a 12 oz. bottle into a fluted British pint glass.

Appears chiefly orange with spots of gold where lighter. There's a nice creamy head sitting on top. It should be a nice creamer on the mouthfeel's start.

Smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and an earthy squashiness underneath it all. Balanced and pleasing.

Tastes surprisingly bitter and too perfumey after that.

Mouthfeel starts and ends with creaminess from the head with an effervescent middle.

While I gave it a few 4 ratings, the taste was off putting enough to reduce it a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 03:55:14 | More by Yagman3000

DCon

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received a 12 FLUID OUNCE bottle of this in a trade w/ LarryG. Poured from the bright pumpkin labeled bottle w/ a Pumpkin on it, "Cucurbita Pepe" underneath the pumpkin (?), "ale brewed w/ pumpkin puree & spices", & the Smuttynose Seal on the neck of the bottle and cap into my 16oz Dewey's Pizza Pint Glass. Has BB DEC 2011 on the neck of the bottle.

Aroma- Has a wonderful sweet, pumpkin pie aroma with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. This sweetness may be due to the whipped cream left on top of the pie? Very nice!

Appearance- Pours a 1 finger head that has great retention. Has a light brown/darkest orange body color with no sign of clarity (very full bodied color). Leaves rings of lacing behind.

Flavor- And Spice it is! Starts with tons of spice and nutmeg flavors. Almost gets to the pumpkin flavor but comes a bit short. Very sweet finish and has a light amount of hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, High Carbonation, Smooth, and leaves interesting spice and cinnamon behind on the palate.

Overall Impression- A very nice spice and cinnamon combo beer but doesn't hit much of a pumpkin flavor. I do enjoy the body and mouthfeel of this one though! Could definitely enjoy this one again! One of my top 10 favorite pumpkin ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 19:14:55 | More by DCon

Hophead717

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

A 12 ounce bottle poured into a tulip glass-not ideal, but it'll work.

A: Nice golden brown with a thin head that vanishes instantly. A touch of lacing remains along the side of the glass.

S: Pumpkin and nutmeg rush to your nostrils as you go in for a whiff. Hints of cinnamon and hops are also in play. I wasn't expecting any hops scents from my pumpkin ale.

T: Wow, hops. Upfront there's a momentary taste of pumpkin, but before you can savor it, a rush of bitter hops hits your tongue. The bitterness from the hops overwhelms any pumpkin flavor. As you finish the sip, the bitterness fades and a strong taste of nutmeg becomes apparent. No complex spices here at all-very straight forward nutmeg. I want to say it works, but sadly it doesn't. This is really a very strange beer-I'm not entirely certain how to score it. The hops seem really off for a pumpkin ale and since they overwhelm the pumpkin, I have to give it a low mark. The harsh, nutmeg taste sticks around well after you finish your sip, which isn't particularly pleasant either.

M: Thin to medium bodied and well carbonated. This is fine.

O: Definitely disappointed. I get very little pumpkin. It's essentially a light hop-bomb, with a nutmeg aftertaste. I will not be returning to this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 02:50:22 | More by Hophead717

Dope

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A cloudy orange pour with a nice fluffy white head. Decent retention and lacing.

S: Lots of pumpkin which holds it own against the spices (opposite of most pumpkin beers I think). Some good nutmeg and ginger and cinnamon for sure. Maybe a little brown sugar?

T: Pumpkin up front, followed by a surprising bitter hit of hops - earth and pine. Pumpkin spices round out the end and the aftertaste nicely.

M: Pretty middle of the road, pumpkin spices coat the mouth nicely and carry the aftertaste for quite some time.

O: If you prefer a more hoppy pumpkin ale this is for you. Surprisingly bitter, most pumpkin ales have almost no hop flavor. Tastes more like a beer than a pumpkin, whereas most pumpkin ales taste like pumpkin pie in a glass. It's a nice departure but honestly I prefer the more pumpkin pie style ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 04:12:59 | More by Dope

BeefyMee

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Murky dark amber. Looks to be unfiltered. Nice fluffy head dissipated quickly and left behind some streaky lacing.

S: Burnt pumpkin and raw sugar. Not too aromatic even as it warms.

T: There's an initial tanginess, but other than that, the flavor profile is mellow and pleasant. Falls more in the pumpkin pie camp, though not of the overly spiced variety. Buttery aftertaste with a hop bite on the back of the tongue. Blissfully understated.

M: Smooth and easy drinking.

A standard for the style. Flavorful but not flashy. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 23:36:33 | More by BeefyMee

bnewall3

Connecticut

2.08/5  rDev -43.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

My review is short, but not to sweet. Smuttynose dares to be different. I don't understand what would make them think strong bitter hop flavor is good for a pumpkin beer. The nutmeg and cinnamon were almost non existent, and it is extremely bitter throughout with a very nasty aftertaste left from that.

Since I had it at fridge temp at first I gave it the benefit of the doubt and thought the pumpkin and spice flavor would show more as it got closer to room temp but I was wrong, it stayed non existent. It drives me nuts because I like smuttynose and love a good pumpkin beer, but this gave them and the pumpkin category a bad name.

Because I had high expectations and they were immediately shot down this quickly turned into one of my least favorite beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 03:00:13 | More by bnewall3

KajII

North Carolina

2.83/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

[Best served in a Lager glass]

The pour was a cloudy medium brownish amber with an average sized (1-2 finger) foamy very, very pale orange head that lasted throughout and had excellent lacing that coated the glass.

The aroma was of a light bread malt and a sweet yeast with notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and a strong hint of some bitter spices.

The taste was sweet and mildly acidic with a note of cinnamon and brown sugar at first then became mildly bitter with a note of nutmeg and spices with a harsh bite of pumpkin rind at the finish. The flavor lasted an average duration but left a not so likeable harshness at the end.

Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and creamy in texture with a mild carbonation.

Overall not your typical Pumpkin Ale. I found it rather bland with too much of a bitter bite at the end and not enough flavor from the spices or the pumpkin.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 17:46:12 | More by KajII