Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale - Big Boss Brewing

FMSmith

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Excellent Pumpkin Ale. Not overly spiced nor overly sweet. Good mouth feel and definitely a fall pleasant beer.

I am not a fan of Pumpkin Ales only because I think there are more bad ones than good ones but Harvest Time is a very obvious difference to the ones I have tried in the past.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2012 16:13:41 | More by FMSmith

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Hazy orange with essentially no head and thus no lacing either.

S-Malty with a slight hint of spice.

T-Malty, reminiscent of an Octoberfest(which is what I thought this beer was) with some nice nuttiness and a hint of spice.

M-Somewhat thin.

D-Very drinkable, it had a good flavor and wasn't very heavy.

Overall, at the time I didn't know this was a pumpkin ale, I thought it was an Octoberfest. There isn't much pumpkin or spice in this beer but I thought it was enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 12:52:01 | More by thegodfather2701

kkipple

South Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Duckworth's in Charlotte.

A. Dirty copper, low 1cm head, fizzy. Decent, nothing much to write home 'bout.

S. Safe pumpkin here, nothing too weird. Mild spice - cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice. Starchy - difficult to tell the base beer from all the pumpkin - is it an amber, a brown ale, a Marzen...? Hmm.

T. Yeah, that. Crisp, sweet, well-spiced. Gets a little too sweet for my tastes over time, not sure if this is under attenuated or if they were going for more of a pumpkin pie sorta thing... a fine attempt, nothing really "wrong" here... but it doesn't come together as well as some.

M / D. Fine, really. Okay pumpkin-pie spice finish, mild sweetness, hint of grain lingers. But I don't want another.

I would try it again next year... but one is enough for this trip around the sun.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 01:08:53 | More by kkipple

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a shaker. Poured a hazy copper with a minimal white head. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, pumpkin, and cloves. The flavor was of sweet malt, pumpkin, and slight clove. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty nice brew. The flavor was very refreshing and not overly invasive to the palate. Also had a pretty nice aroma as well. This one is a definite must try for pumpkin brew fans out there.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2010 13:55:22 | More by thagr81us

cwguy5

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this on-tap at Duckworth's in Charlotte, NC in a pilsner glass on 10/11/10. Review from notes.

- rich brown color with orange highlights; thin-med head with low retension; a lot of lacing on glass

- sweet candy-like aroma of spice and some vegetable

- clove? spice notes up front with mild herbal finish

- fairly thick body with nice carbonation; chewy isn't right word but the food flavors make it seem "edible"

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2010 03:14:30 | More by cwguy5

Boto

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draught @ brewery: This one poured a cloudy, slightly orangish color. There was a small off white head that left just a bit of lacing. Nice nose of pumpkin spice without being overpowering. The taste is good also. Pumpkin spice is dominant, with a nice malty beer behind it. The spice is not overpowering. This is a well done pumpkin beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2010 00:38:50 | More by Boto

TheKingofWichita

North Carolina

2.65/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep orange color with a yellowish head with a little lacing. Smells of pumpkin pie, nutmeg, malt, and a little cinnamon. Tastes of pumpkin spice, allspice, nutmeg, malts, and some cinnamon in the background. Mouthfeel is pretty average. Drinkability was as well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 14:23:06 | More by TheKingofWichita

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Now this is a pumpkin ale. I was totally floored by this one and by far my favorite of the style so far this year. Pours out a light hazelnut tinged amber with a good bit of off white head the drips down the side causing some nice lacing.

Aroma is deep spices. Wow. Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, banana and bready notes. Just amazingly complex. This really came off very much like my mother in laws spice cake. Just a superb blend and very, very full. As I take the first sip I am very impressed here as the flavor is just as full as the aroma was. Deep spices, loads of pumpkin and a heavy dose of cinnamon and nutmeg. Really just massively impressive in every sense of the word. Nice medium feel was well carbonated and kept the flavors active on the palate.

Overall a very, very well done example of the style. This really impressed me. I actually remember wondering if this may have been the best I have had of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2010 00:20:24 | More by mikesgroove

SIRIUS2

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a darker brownish-orange color, mostly clear, with a light brown head head of 1-2 fingers. Head dissipates rather quickly and lacing was light.

Smell is definitely that of pumpkin with cinnamon and spices. It's a hearty smell, inviting, with some secondary malts that are most difficult to pick out, but caramel seems to be a good bet.

Flavors are like straight up pumpkin pie with hints of nutmeg. It's a relatively heavy flavor but not really cloying or overly sweet. The flavors really stay together tight, all the way through the finish.

Mouthfeel was interesting. The carbonation was lighter than I would have expected and it seemed to work for the beer. For a brew that wasn't really all that sweet, the lack of carbonation seemed to add a ton of weight in the mouth.

Overall drinkability was good. First drink was absolutely flavorful and great, but the more you drink, the more you think "maybe one or two of these at a time is enough". Very good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2009 19:57:41 | More by SIRIUS2

ncvbc

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours an bright orange with brownish hues and a nice creamy head with solid retention. Smell is heavily spiced with some pumpkin in the background. Pumpkin pie. Yummy. Good spice and hop flavors with a light bready background soaked in caramel. Very easily drinkable pumpkin beer, as I'm not a fan of many. Not too over the top with pumpkin flavor and the somewhat heavy spice character was a plus for me. Good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2008 18:15:56 | More by ncvbc

brentk56

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a cloudy apricot color and a very modest head that quickly becomes a ringlet without leaving much lace behind

Smell: Pumpkin aroma with hints of various spices, including allspice and cinnamon

Taste: Pumpkin pie right up front, with underlying flavors of pumpkin and pie spices; after the swallow, it is more of the same, with the pumpkin vegetal flavor becoming more pronounced

Mouthfeel: Thick, almost too thick, with low carbonation

Drinkability: A very nice pumpkin, with both vegetable and spice flavors

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2008 00:17:17 | More by brentk56

wagenvolks

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Raleigh Times in Raleigh, NC. [AKA "Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale"]

Presented with a 22 oz. pour of a gorgeous, bright orange-bodied ale, sporting an attractive inch of light khaki head on top. Probably the best head retention I've encountered for a Pumpkin Ale, and lacing to boot. The aroma met the style requirements with ease, sending notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and a good deal of pumpkin squash to the olfaction.

The flavor was unassertive, yet at the same time let you know exactly the style the brewers were after. Notes of soft pumkpin pulp gave way to a creamy, vanilla flavor ("whipped cream", as my friend described it), and a beautifully balanced backbone of biscuity malt and spice that included cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and (of course) pumpkin. Mouthfeel was light and nicely carbonated, with a lingering finish of creamy vanilla and gingerbread malts. All in all, an exceptional brew that finally resurrected Big Boss in my mind after a slew of seemingly lack-luster attempts (Black Diamond, Bell Wringer Double Wit, etc..). Get at this one if you can.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2008 07:20:13 | More by wagenvolks

blackie

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: Great looking creamy head, khaki in color with great retention. The ale is a gorgeous deep amber-orange in color, somewhat hazy.

s: A great blend of spices upfront...typical pumpkin spices with nutmeg seemingly dominant. Cinnamon and I think ginger are also in the mix. Good malt support with a medium sweetness level and light toastiness, and a considerable aroma of meaty pumpkin. Lightly hopped it seems, and earthy in a sitting on the floor of a turning forest kinda way. Sweet potato casserole, with burnt marshmallows and all. Very nice, and quite close to perfect.

m: Carbonation level around medium, very smooth as are most Big Boss beers. Body seems to be around medium or medium-full and cleans up quickly after the swallow.

t: Spicy at first, with the caramel amber malts and pumpkin quickly making themselves known...never taking over, but balancing out very well. Moderate sweetness of concentrated grain sugars leave a sticky coating on my lips after a few glasses. Creamy pumpkin pie. Lightly hopped with a long lingering finish.

d: three with ease, but the spice does wear after a bit

Great pumpkin ale as always from this brewery. I remember it being a bit more clear and well rounded/balanced in the past, but who knows.

Would love to see some bottles, or even a limited hand bottling.

9-29-09: Just changing some scores around, both appearance and mouthfeel dropped from 4.5 to 4

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2007 20:47:46 | More by blackie

MordorMongo

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to ASUbeer for the tick, he knows I am a sucker for a pumpkin brew!

12oz bottle to tulip.

A - Burnt orange with some amber hues, nice off-white head which settles to a nice cap, lacing throughout....not too shabby

S - Holy spices batman! Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, pumpkin, allspice...yowza, lot going on here....kind of turns me on.

T - Big spice notes, some breadiness as well. As it warms it picks up some slightly tart almost cidery notes. Definitely preferred it colder which is unusual for the style.

M - Medium and a bit lackluster...nothing special in any way....average.

O - I don't think I would drink like 7 of these...but one was a treat and I could see picking up a 6er each fall of this and having them perhaps to break up other more sessionable brews. My wife liked it more than I but she doesn't count, haahaha.

Glad to get to try this one, while it isn't something I would punch an old lady in the throat to get again, I would grab one if I saw it and was in the mood.

I give this one 14 yellow bandanas and 2 stink eye marbles.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 18:18:41 | More by MordorMongo

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Somewhat embarrassed to admit that I had no idea this was a pumpkin ale until logging in to this site. The label makes reference only to "ale brewed with spices" and initially I found the cloves so overpowering that it didn't occur to me that this was also a pumpkin beer i.e. I didn't pick up on the gourd at all. It has mellowed on my palate somewhat since those initial tastes, but remains a very spice-forward brew.

Pours a hazy dark orange with minimal head that dissipates quickly. Cloves overwhelm the aroma, but cinnamon and nutmeg are also present in the background. The flavour introduces some sweet caramelized malts and pumpkin notes, with a bitter finish that lingers along with those prevalent spices.

I’m not saying it’s not well brewed, but although I love many pumpkin beers, this isn't one I'd personally purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:43:38 | More by hopsolutely

KajII

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

[Suggested Glassware: Lager Glass]

The pour was a clear medium burnt orange with an average (1-2 finger) white fizzy head that was mostly diminishing, reducing to a light film and small collar with fair spotty lacing.

The aroma was of a light bread malt and a mild doughy yeast with notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, brown sugar, clove and a bit of cinnamon.

The taste was sort of thin with a light brown sugar sweetness and a malty pumpkin flavor early on, then became infused with a mild dose of spices and had a slight astringent taste towards the finish. The flavor was short lived, fading almost immediately after the swallow and leaving nothing behind.

Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a lively carbonation.

Overall this was like drinking a “Light” Pumpkin Ale, if there is such a thing. It did however possess a decent drinkability and a nice refreshing taste...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 01:12:04 | More by KajII

devilben02

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I generally don't care for pumpkin beer season since the typical heavy, spiced flavor profile become overwhelming after a short while, and this beer does nothing to change my perception of this kind of seasonal beer. It pours from the bottle with a nice, deep, semi-transparent amber color, but without much of a head. The aroma is an expected combination of seasonal spices and a thin sweetness. The flavor has more depth, with a fruity sweetness and some dry herbal hops, but it certainly feels over-spiced since the underlying beer is difficult to identify. The texture doesn't do much to counteract my disappointment, with a medium-thin body doing little to add character. Overall, the heavy-handed use of spice makes me wonder if the brewers just really love pumpkin pie or if they are covering a forgettable, bland beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 15:53:40 | More by devilben02

kell50

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look forward to this beer every year here in NC. Also, the labels are pretty eye-catching too!

A: It pours a dark orange color with a small head that quickly fades away. Absolutey no head or lacing after finish pouring the beer.

S: It does smell of fall spices/aromas, i.e. nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, pumpkin, etc. I always get excited after popping the top with this one. A very aromatic beer.

T: I immeditely (no suprises) taste the spices and pumpkin coming through. There's just enough spice to it to know what style you're having, but not so viscous and cloying that you're one an done. I really feel that this beer would be accepted by people who don't typically enjoy pumpkin beer and by those that do.

M: Very nicely carbonated. A very easy drinking 5.5% ABV pumpkin ale.

O: As previously metioned- Harvest Time is a beer I get excited about when the leaves start to change. Big Boss has some excellent beer available this one is another solid example.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 23:28:37 | More by kell50

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Copper in color. Shines when held up to the light. Mild foam that dissipitates to a thinner film. Nose is fruity--almost apple. Subtle favors that balance each other nicely. But I wish there was just a tad more pumpkins. Nice spice flavor counters the sweet malts. Medium body. Solid fall beer. I will say the label turned me away from this beer for a long while. I was expecting it to be more over the top.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 02:06:19 | More by MuddyFeet

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

P- Thanks to my buddy Trask in NC for this brew

A- a cloudy dull orange color. Half finger head that leaves a patch o lain and hangs around for a minute.

S- hints of nutmeg and clove. I get a dominate malt smell like vinegar though. Its lke a white vinegar smell that is pungent.

F- Pumpkin vinegar malt flavor. Different but not what i want with my pumpkin ales. I also get some clove and nutmeg in the taste as well.

M- Sour vinegar taste and pumpkin is kind of bland, no kick.

O- just an average pumpkin ale for me, i have had much better but much worse as well.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 18:25:18 | More by Dodo2step

adevans

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Orange-amber liquid with a small off-white head that dissipates to some foam around the rim of the glass. No real lacing.

S - Smells sweet - of caramel malts, with spices like nutmeg. There's a slight hint of pumpkin, but it's not up front.

T - There isn't a ton of pumpkin taste in this ale, but you will taste it. It's nicely balanced with the spices provided, like cinnamon and clove.

M - Light carbonation with a pretty full-bodied beer.

O - A good pumpkin ale, but it seems to have too much lingering spice for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 16:12:34 | More by adevans

n2185

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy orange with a finger of beige head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Pumpkin spices up front followed by sweet vanilla and some yam/pumpkin-like aromas. There are some light bready aromas in there as well.

T: Again the spices hit at first. Some light vanilla flavors mix in with faint pumpkin notes after. The finish has a very light bitterness with some sweet bread flavors.

M: Medium-light body with lowish carbonation, this beer feels a little watery.

O: A decent pumpkin ale, overall. Nothing to write home about, but it smells nice and isn't overly spiced.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 19:51:05 | More by n2185

goatsgo2hell

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours out a nice orange-ish amber, giving just a hint of the ingredients. It has a lovely smell -- a hint of pumpkin spice that's quite enticing. The taste isn't too sweet or overpowering -- all in all, this is my favorite pumpkin ale so far. Guess I'll have to wait til next fall to try a few more and size it up against them.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 19:43:17 | More by goatsgo2hell

wedge

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an unclear orange color with a small, bubbly head that shrinks to a creamy ring around the edge. Pumpkin pie spices as well as some actual pumpkin. Fairly mild, spicy flavor wrapping up with some caramel sweetness and toasty grain. Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. Better on draught, but satisfying and quite drinkable from the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 22:33:49 | More by wedge

oline73

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy orangish amber with under a finger of off white head that disappears completely.

Smell: Sweet, caramel like malt along with some spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are dominant.

Taste: Sweet and malty, mild caramel notes. The pumpkin flavor is very mild compared to the spices. There is some cinnamon and nutmeg just like the smell. No bitterness in the finish, which is nice.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with hardly any carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This beer tastes good, perhaps a little more pumpkin would have been nice. The mouth feel and appearance were just alright. Could have been a bit more carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 23:52:05 | More by oline73