Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale - Tommyknocker Brewery

MrCee

3.53/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tangier than most pumpkin beers. Very light, lighter than I would like. Not bitter, nor malty. Color is ok. Body is also pretty light. Not much original in the odor department.. And ok find. It would probably taste better in summer rather than late fall.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:52:34 | More by MrCee

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a very deep amber almost brown with a finger of head which quickly diminished. smells of pumpkin spices, roasted grains. mostly bitter flavor, earthy notes, hint of chocolate, faint hint of pumpkin spice in the aftertaste.
medium body, light carbonation, slightly creamy.
a decent ale, but not really much pumpkin flavor at all. more of a brown ale than anything really.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 01:22:28 | More by facundoCNB

KajII

North Carolina

2.58/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

[Suggested Glassware: Lager Glass]

The pour was a clear burnt orange with an average (1-2 finger) light brown fluffy head that had OK retention, reducing slowly to a thin film and small collar with good sheets of sticky lacing

The aroma was on the mild side, with a toasted grain malt and an earthy doughy yeast and had notes of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, a touch of brown sugar and of course pumpkin.

The taste was very lightly sweet and a tad malty with notes of brown sugar and pumpkin from the get go, and then took on an almost stale bitterness and had a mild spicy finish. The flavor was most definitely short in duration with not much left behind but a slight hint of spices.

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

Overall this was a light tasting Pumpkin Ale, which did possess a decent drinkability but was pretty much nothing special...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 20:45:40 | More by KajII

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I poured this beer into a pint glass, it has a dark brown color body with no head and a thin lace around the top. The smell is of fall spices and molassas. The taste has a subtle sweetness to it, and then the spices and the pumpkin come through on the finish. the mouth feel is great and defently a easy drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 05:07:39 | More by chefhatt

dbossman

Nebraska

3.88/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark reddish brown with a small but steady head and great lacing

S: Lots of autumnal spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, molasses and of course loads of pumpkin; some roasty chocolate and nuts but pretty pumpkin as well

T: Not nearly as spice forward which is nice; the pumpkin plays well of the roasted malts; this is an easy drinking, roasty, creamy, slightly spicy, and pleasantly pumpkiny beer

F: Medium body and fairly creamy

O: This is a pleasant and not overpowering pumpkin beer; a nice beer

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 03:17:35 | More by dbossman

JRed

New Jersey

2.43/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours murky amber/reddish brown in body with a weak white bubbly head that fades. Humbly sweet aroma of molasses, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, piecrust, hints of black cherry. Tastes like pumpkin water with molasses, light cinnamon, and a mild black cherry aftertaste with some stale bread off-flavor in the finish. Watery body with light carbonation. There is nothing satisfying about this autumn beer. The worst pumpkin I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 22:02:19 | More by JRed

Mitchster

Michigan

3.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

$1.99 for a 12oz bottle @ Bevco. Brewed with real pumpkin in the mash and the brew kettle. Hopped with Perle and Willamette. Also brewed with molasses and spices. 5.0% ABV, 15 IBUs.

Pours out to a quite dark mahogany, darker than any other pumpkin brew I've had. Must be quite a bit of molasses in here to add so much color. Forms a limpid light yellow head with poor retention and sparse lacing. Mild carbonation, ~2.0 carbs. The aroma is dominated by cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of nutmeg. Not much allspice or cloves. Minimal hop aroma to interfere with the spices, but there is just a hint, which is nice. Mouthfeel is rather thin and dry for the style. The molasses comes through nicely in the finish, and I think I'll be adding molasses to tweak my already pretty awesome homebrewed pumpkin ale. The body, again, is quite thin, and there isn't enough residual sweetness that I prefer in a pumpkin ale..I prefer to caramelize the pumpkin and add copious crystal malts to accentuate it without being cloying or heavy. There is a slightly chalky finish and a touch of hops comes through in the taste as well. The spices aren't overboard, which is my preference as well.

Well, it's OK as far as pumpkin ales go, but there are certainly better. Buffalo Bills is a good example of my preference for the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 20:42:57 | More by Mitchster

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Pours out a dark yet translucent brownish-amber color with a brief minute of one finger tall off-white head that leaves behind some minimal lacing. Light thin body, medium carbonation.

Smells of sweet molasses, a bit of pumpernickel bread, and a lot of oven-toasted pumpkin seeds with lesser amounts of nutmeg used as garnish. The flavor is a lot less bold than the aroma, but still contains semi-dry molasses and a lightly toasted pumpkin seed emphasis. It could use somewhat more breadiness and spicing in the flavor. It is memorable mostly for keeping the pumpkin emphasis focused upon pumpkin seeds and not the flesh.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 00:55:37 | More by WastingFreetime

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours dark brown with a redish hue, small light tan foamy head that reduces to a small layer, nice lace.

S- cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet nutty malt, a bit subdued.

T- sweet malt, a bit of pumpkin pie spice, finishes slightly dry and clean. Nothing really stands out.

M- medium body, moderate carbonation, foamy mouthfeel.

O- middle of the road pumpkin ale, nothing really sets it apart from the pack in terms of taste but worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 01:39:49 | More by Treyliff

schoolboy

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +10%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This pumpkin is kind of old school - not very good. This been the year that many new very good pumpkin beers have been release, but this one is pretty boring.

This is a dark pumpkin. Hops is not to be tasted. There is a bit of spice and actual pumpkin flavor and plenty of malty sweetness.

There is no head. You probably could drink a couple, but I wouldn't want to . Not something I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 20:42:31 | More by schoolboy

TCMike

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass, it produced a 2 finger tan head. No real lacing. Beer color is dark, slightly translucent mahogany.
The smell is lager like, with biscuit, and a hint of pumpkin/spice.
Taste was similar, but would have liked more pumpkin,and spice. Medium bodied, and medium carbonation.
It's a nice easy drinking beer. Nothing spectacular, but good.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 22:47:54 | More by TCMike

DaveBlack

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: A brown ale with a reddish hue. The head is about a finger's width and last for a moderate amount of time. The beer leaves a small amount of lacing on the glass.

S: Pumpkin pie spices overlay a fair amount of toasty malts. Honestly there's not a whole lot of aroma here, but what's there is good.

T: Unfortunately, the same holds true for the taste as is true of the nose: there's just not much here. There are some toasty malts, a nice kiss of the spices, but then there's nothing really on the end. The flavor just falls away.

M: Light body, moderate amount of carbonation.

O: While I appreciate the light hand that Tommyknocker used in this beer, it could use a little more. It is a nice break from the pumpkin beers that go way overboard with the spices, but there isn't much in the way of any flavor here.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 03:38:26 | More by DaveBlack

57md

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rustic brown with a burnt orange hue. There is a finger of head that dissipates quickly leaving only a modest touch of lace on the glass. There is just a trace of pumpkin in the nose. There is a bit of pumpkin and a bit of spice, but overall this is a pretty thin offering especially on the finish.

There is some promise here; this could be a solid pumpkin ale if it had some body to it.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 04:39:35 | More by 57md

alpinebryant

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark chestnut brown in color with a sticky light tan head

S: Dark roast malt aroma with molasses and toffee in the nose. Slightly sweet malty

T: Knowing from the aroma that there was going to be a molasses flavor in here, it completely took over on the first sip. This is overwhelmingly molasses and roasted burnt tofee. I picture falling leaves and earth when tasting it. There is extremely minimal hopping in the flavor here. Slightly disappointed.

M: Very light carbonation with a viscous mouthfeel for a 5% abv beer.

O: Not extremely impressed. This is more of a fall beer than a pumpkin ale. It tastes like and ale with the body which is a plus, but the flavors here just dont do a pumpkin ale justice. I would compare this to Sierra Nevada Tumbler with a little less carbonation and more stale.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:38:23 | More by alpinebryant

SaCkErZ9

Florida

2.98/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Beer emerges the color of raspberry chocolate and is topped with a minimal, wispy white head. This one didnt have much fizz when i popped the top so the lack of head isnt surprising.

Aroma isnt bad. This one looks, smells and tastes like a brown ale base with the requisite pumpkin flavorings and aromas. Aroma is filled with the cracker and breadiness from a hearty brown ale with hints of nutmeg and general seasonal spice.

The mouthfeel on this one was a bit thin. I did like the taste; it was something different than the usual amber ale with pumpkin. However, the overall appeal just wasnt there. There was nothing special yet nothing horrible about this one. Unique, yes. Delicious or one of the best pumpkin beer out there, no.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 20:21:01 | More by SaCkErZ9

StoutHunter

Michigan

2.55/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I picked up a bottle of Tommyknocker's Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale a few days ago for $1.69 at The Lager Mill. While at the store I saw a beer from Tommyknocker that I haven't tried yet, I like this brewery so I decided to take a chance on this beer, so lets see how it goes. I couldn't decode the best buy date, but it's 2012 vintage that I think is fairly fresh. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A- The label isn't that great, it's that typical creepy Tommyknocker Gnome with an orange background, it poured a pretty dark muddy brown color that took on dark ruby red color when held to the light and it had a half a fingers worth of bubbly thin head that died down to a thin ring that eventually faded to nothing. The appearance wasn't that great, the color was more dark and muddled then I thought it would be and the head was pretty disappointing.

S- The aroma starts off with a large amount of malts that have a higher amount of medium sweetness and impart some grainy, bread crust, and caramel aromas along with some slightly bunt malts. After that I get a sweet molasses like aroma followed by a light pumpkin aroma with lots of spices really coming though and sticking out the most impart those typical pumpkin pie spiced aromas with cinnamon and nutmeg sticking out. Towards the end I get a little more slightly burnt malt followed by a noticeable nutty aroma. The aroma was a little too sweet and the malt back bone doesn't seem to work that well with the pumpkin and spice, but it does have nice balance, I think the aroma is pretty average.

T- The taste seems to be somewhat similar to the aroma, but it's much lighter, it starts off with the malts which seems to stick out the most and impart some bread, bread crust, grains, and caramel like flavors along with a slight astringent burnt malt taste with a little bit of molasses and a light nutty flavor. In the middle I get a real light pumpkin flavor that is hardly noticeable and is followed by a light amount of pumpkin pie spices with the cinnamon and nutmeg sticking out the most. Towards the end I get some more astringent burnt caramel malts with hardly any bitterness with a really malty, grainy, roasted and slightly spicy aftertaste. The taste was below average, the pumpkin and spice didn't show up that much and they clashed with the malt backbone, I wasn't impressed.

M- Fairly smooth, slightly sticky, watery, light bodied, with a lower amount of medium carbonation. The mouthfeel was pretty disappointing, it was way to thin and watery and need just a little more carbonation, not impressive.

Overall I was pretty let down with this beer and I thought it was a below average example of a Pumpkin Ale, there was just way too many things wrong with this beer for it to be competitive in the ever increasing Pumpkin Ale style. This beer had ok drinkability, it went down fairly smooth, but the flavors just couldn't hold my attention, one is enough for me. What I liked most about this beer was the aroma, it wasn't that bad and it had some nice complexity to it. What I liked least about this beer was the the flavor and mouthfeel they were both pretty disappointing with the thinness of this beer hurting it the most giving it a very a watery mouthfeel. I wouldn't buy this beer again, it just can't hang with all the other Pumpkin Ale's on the market and I wouldn't recommend this one. All in all I have to say I was a disappointed with this beer and this was a letdown from Tommyknocker, I was expecting a nice Pumpkin Ale and all I get was a below average Pumpkin Ale that had way too many things wrong with it, better luck next time Tommyknocker.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:42:51 | More by StoutHunter

brentk56

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Very dark for a pumpkin ale - looks more like a brown; the head wasn't particularly impressive, either, though it did leave a streaky pattern

Smell: More caramel with a molasses tinge than pumpkin; rather sweet smelling

Taste: Taste follows the aroma, with a molasses and caramel flavor that overwhelms the pumpkin flavor; not much spicing comes through, either

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A rather different take on the pumpkin style and not one that reaches out to my tastebuds

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 02:31:04 | More by brentk56

alexipa

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark red with a huge frothy tan head. Lacing all the way down the glass. Beautiful.

S: Pumpkin smell first and foremost- exactly what I want. Some malty sweetness along with pie spice, nutmeg.

T: Again the pumpkin is center stage here. If you don't like this, why'd you buy a pumpkin ale?! Nutmeg comes through in the middle, ending with nice malty sweetness.

M: A little thin. It's creamy and very drinkable.

O: This is an excellent pumpkin ale. I could see the pumpkin flavors being a little too pronounced for some, but that's exactly what I wanted out of it.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 02:19:16 | More by alexipa

wingman14

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a darkish brown with a thin white head. Smell is not too strong, definitely has a pumpkin smell, nutmeg, malt, and some sweet notes as well. Taste starts sweet with some molasses, the pumpkin and spices are there but not overwhelming. The pumpkin flavor stays consistent throughout, some smokiness comes through at the ending. The spices stay through the aftertaste. This is a medium light mouthfeel, it would be perfect if it were a bit thicker. It is smooth, and the flavors are balanced very well, nothing that is annoying or overpowering. Overall a very drinkable pumpkin ale, a nice fall beer that I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 00:06:47 | More by wingman14

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This poured out as a brownish orange color with a fizzy tan head on top. The head basically vanishes within a few seconds. The smell of the beer is spiced with a decent amount of clove and cinnamon. The taste of the beer is decent, it's got the soft spiciness of a typical pumpkin ale. The flavors aren't as nice as some other Pumpkin Ales out there but I was picking up some molasses in this one too which was kind of nice. The mouthfeel of this beer is medium bodied, it's got a sharp carbonation to it. Overall the beer is drinkable and has a decent flavor to it. Just not one of my favorites of this style.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 17:21:54 | More by Knapp85

scones

Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A light pumpkin aroma, not too much on the spices but enough to signify it's there.

Tastes like pumpkin first and foremost, with the standard spices backing it up. Not too much, not too little.

Mouthfeel is pretty thin. Some carbonation, but not biting.

Overall, this is what I personally like in a pumpkin beer. Its not overpowering with spices and doesn't taste fake. It might not stand out like pumking, but I like that about it. Just a good, solid, tasty refreshing pumpkin that you could drink all fall.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 04:50:08 | More by scones

spdyfire83

Ireland

3.68/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

196th Review
Bottle to snifter

From notes.

A: Orange-ish brown. Single (bubbly off-white) fingernail head on medium pour.

S: Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutiness, all spice, and nutmeg.

T: Follows aroma acutely, but predominantly pumpkin here. Soft balance of spice makes this seasonal beer extremely enjoyable and not too overwhelming (like some other pumpkin beers I have had).

M: Medium bodied with light carbonation.

O: A solid seasonal offering. There are definitely other pumpkin beers that are above and below this; however, it is very tasty for the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 13:55:47 | More by spdyfire83

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Found this at a small bar called Hopheads around the corner here in Maryland. Out of the bottle it was a deep chestnut color with one finger of a khaki-colored head. The retention was not bad and it left spots of lacing down my glass. The aroma was of pumpkin, nutmeg and allspice but all of the elements were on the subtle side. The flavors however were nice, with notes of toasted malt, pumpkin, allspice and caramel malt all being present. The mouthfeel was average, the body medium and the carbonation appropriate.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 04:11:27 | More by thekevlarkid

vfgccp

New York

3.08/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A – Nice color; dark antique bronze. Low retention and lace on a thin white head.

S – Pumpkin, red apple, candied ginger, a touch of pecan, and a big molasses note.

T – Very sweet-centric profile. Canned pumpkin, sweet yams, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Earthy spice on the backend with more molasses than malt.

M – Relatively light body and low carbonation. Could use a bit more of one or both to carry the sweetness.

O – Ok pumpkin flavor, but it’s missing some of the richness that I’m looking for in a pumpkin beer. Could use a bit more body and balance as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 00:12:58 | More by vfgccp

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Not the prettiest beer too look at, pours a turgid nut-brown with very little head, but I like this beer quite a bit more than I thought I would. It both smells and tastes a lot more like pumpkin and a lot less like spice than many other pumpkin beers. While the pumpkin really comes through, there are also noticeable molasses notes and a bit less spice than most. There is some ginger, mace, and cinnamon. Smooth, with a hint of sweet tang from the molasses, this particular pumpkin beer is a nice change from the norm.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 23:55:33 | More by Georgiabeer