Devious - Allentown Brew Works

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I do enjoy me some pumpkin beer when the time/season is right, so on a cool and rainy early-September evening all signs point clearly to 'right now'. A 750 ml (er...'1 pint, 9.4 fl. oz.') caged and corked brown bottle, its label anchored by an inverted gourd that, I suppose, looks devious...or like a moldy orange mushroom. Poured to an imperial pint (what better way to enjoy an Imperial Pumpkin?).

Big thanks to yourefragile; left to his own devices to 'send me something local', this is what he went and did (among many others). Cheers, Michael...

Labeled: 'Fegley's BrewWorks Devious Imperial Pumpkin'

A: A hearty 'thwip' and the cork pries loose, sending an eerie fog drifting from the bottleneck. Into the glass, Devious is a rose-tinted auburn with a fine haze and a not-so-abundant carbonation. A pour of modest vigor yields a massive (3-finger+) head of tan, which frantically fizzes away (like head on a soda) within a minute or two. End result: several small patches of percolating bubbles and a pencil-thin ring; virtually no lace. Hmmm, kinda 'meh'.

S: Enticing aroma of earthy spice (nose-tickling ground nutmeg and pepper(?)), gingerbread, cinnamon, and a lilting note of tart funkiness.

T: I do like it when the 'pumpkin' isn't as straightforward as spicing alone; in that regard, this reminds me a good bit of Elysian Night Owl. Mild tartness and earthy/dry spices fend off the caramel/butterscotch and crusty dough undertones. Vanilla and cinnamon play a role, but as supporters, so the result is less sweet than many. Good balance and steady flavor.

M: Prickly carbonation upfront (again, that 'soda-pop' fizz sort of thing). Initially, surprisingly 'refreshing' - but wait a few sips and the warmth builds. Not an overly 'heavy' feel, mild stickiness.

D: A more 'devious' beer might conceal its alcohol a little better than this does (at least right now)... as such, there's some fusel heat that can't be ignored. Flavorful and not blatantly screaming out 'PUMPKIN!' (as in 'pie spice overload'); sure, I'd have it again - might even look for a couple more while in the area next week, as I'd like to see what an extra month or three in the bottle does.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 06:21:22 | More by msubulldog25

ujsplace

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Updating review on 9/29/2011. Original done on 9/3/2010.

Poured into a nonic.

Pours a deep, dark brown-orange colored brew that has a good two finger head that is a creamy off white color. Descent lacing and the head retains very well, leaving a clumpy cover on top.

Smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, a hint of clove and a buttery malt with some mild hop bitters.

Tastes of predominantly of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg as well as buttery roasted caramel malts. Complex flavors, a lot going on here. Mild hop bitter in the back with a faint alcohol burn.

Medium bodied, but on the thick side, creamy, smooth stout-like in the mouth. Good carbonation.

In spite of the abv, this is is a very sessionable imperial pumpkin. Pumpkin ales (especially the imperials) are for me, one of the joys of this time of year and something that I look forward to enjoying. This is definitely one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 01:37:08 | More by ujsplace

kiddynamite920

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Head fizzes up and fizzes down quite fast on this one. Nothing much left after a minute. The beer pours a cloudy, iced tea color. Nothing too impressive here.

S: One of the more balanced pumpkin ales I've tried. Can still smell the actual beer in front of all the spices. Spice is there, but the maltiness of the beer is what stands out. Very pleasing....seeing as how most pumpkin beers are a mouthful of cinnamon and nutmeg.

T: Again, one of the better balanced pumpkin ales I have encountered. Distinct pumpkin flavor upfront. Very important in my opinion. The spices reside on the aftertaste and hint at pumpkin pie, but the pumpkin flavor really is standing out. It really is a delicate balance to achieve with the strong spices that coincide with these beers.

M: Thin and fizzy. Seems to be the only problem I find with this beer. It's a big beer with a small beer feel. Slippery and highly carbonated. Has the feel of a soda almost.

D: One of the better pumpkin ales I have tried, it definitely spills out pumpkin but it lacks in other areas. Way too much carbonation, but a great level of spice. Great pumpkin flavor. Good take at a very frowned upon style.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 04:49:46 | More by kiddynamite920

Axic10

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My first pumpkin beer of 2010. Poured from a corked and caged 750ml bottle into a Duvel tulip.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber with a finger of head that quickly disappears.

Smell: Pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, smells like pumpkin pie in a glass.

Taste: Taste follows the nose, heavy on the spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with a nice pumpkin aftertaste. Good, but not Pumking good.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a slight burn from the alcohol.

Drinkability: Definitely worth picking up at again at the $6-$7 I paid for it at Whole Foods. Will make this a regular during my pumpkin beer season.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 20:44:55 | More by Axic10

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Capone's today - 16oz. pint.

Pours a deep amber color, with the minimal head fading to a perma-film with decent lacing.

Plenty of spices in the aroma - nutmeg and cinnamon. Hard to really grasp everything, as it was served a bit too cold.

Real pumpkin quality in the flavor along with a ton of spices - not too sweet however. Good English hoppy bitterness to balance the thick malt profile. Rich, but not cloying - good carbonation, and somewhat prickly finish.

Not an all-nighter in terms of drinkability, but solid overall, and one of the more enjoyable beers in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 18:46:30 | More by BeerImmediately