Braaaiins! - Spring House Brewing Company

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

With crust! At the Lancaster taproom.

A: The pumpkin is an amber brown color, still clear. A thin head comes with the pour.

S: The look is appropriate, the nose is where things get good. The crusted version brings graham with a vengeance. A lactic aroma that nicely mirrors whipped cream adds a new dimension. Beyond those two aspects, there are pumpkin spices but they te

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2011 21:23:44 | More by akorsak

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

01-23-2013 15:15:01 | More by Tucquan

BMart

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

12-11-2012 18:08:42 | More by BMart

UncleNeighborChris

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +25%

12-09-2012 22:12:55 | More by UncleNeighborChris

AleGal79

4/5  rDev 0%

11-08-2012 00:42:40 | More by AleGal79

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Served in a tulip, clear, orange-brown color, with a half inch or so of foamy white head; decent retention and lacing. Aroma really can't be beat: sweet and sugary, vanilla, cheesecake complete with graham crust. Taste isn't quite as impressive, but it's still damn good. You get the vanilla and pumpkin cheesecake, graham crust and all, cinnamon and allspice, backed up with caramel malts and a woody, bitter, vegetal element that came in near the end, a blend of pumpkin flesh and earthy hops, I'd say. Overall, I'd say this was quite comparable to Southern Tier Pumking, especially in the way it finished more fleshy and bitter, but I definitely liked the aroma on this one better. Medium body, pretty smooth, pleasant and easily downable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 20:01:16 | More by Rifugium

TheNightwatchman

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

10-30-2012 14:58:01 | More by TheNightwatchman

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Three finger's worth of big rich creamy froth with a delicate slightly rocky cloud like top that is light khaki in color... Excellent retention... The body is a very light gleaming copper with a faint glow about it... A slight bit of micro bubbled rapidly paced carbonation... Gobs of lacing cling to the sides of the glass...

S - A very intriguing aroma... A definitive spice character leads the nose, but one that is not typical for the style - very potpourri like which is a bit odd, but quite alluring after a couple of whiffs... Fresh gourd pulp... Roasted pumpkin seeds... Graham crackers... A light caramel component as well... Oddly, even some orange Gatorade mixed as well...

T - The spices are again at the forefront and coat the tongue evenly... Lots of clove... A little bit cinnamon... Perhaps some nutmeg... The fresh pumpkin is next... Again roasted pumpkin seeds... Some caramel sweetness... The finish has a slightly burnt crust character to it...

M - Medium bodied... Sleek... Light carbonation... Even and consistent... The finish is a bit on the dry side...

D - Overall not a bad Pumpkin Ale... The appearance and aroma are top notch... The taste and mouthfeel are slightly above average... The end result is an overall success that I try to enjoy each autumn... When the beer is this good, I have no problem supporting the "drink local" directive...

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:09:08 | More by philbe311

Beeradelphia

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

10-27-2012 09:06:01 | More by Beeradelphia

Rojada1988

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -18.8%

10-21-2012 07:44:30 | More by Rojada1988

jagada

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

10-21-2012 03:16:03 | More by jagada

Rizzy17

4.75/5  rDev +18.8%

09-29-2012 02:10:36 | More by Rizzy17

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -25%

09-18-2012 01:14:18 | More by bigfnjoe

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Mari's 6 Pack in reading Pa.
Review from notes
It had a nice copper color body with a nice white head on it. The aroma was of pumpkin pie spices and some graham cracker notes. The taste had a nice blast of spices up front but didn't over power the pumpkin or the graham cracker taste. This beer blew me away, the mouth feel was very nice not to watery but not thick either. Overall this is a great pumpkin beer and defentlly in my top 5 pumpkin beers.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 03:05:30 | More by chefhatt

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber into a matching Spring House pint glass. The brew appears a perfectly clear color of copper with a finger of yellowish tan froth sitting atop. As the cap slowly fades, it leaves a webbing of spotty lace sticking to the glass. A swirl revives a finger back to the surface.

The aroma of this brew is sweet and almost candied like belgian sugar but slightly caramelized. There is a note of fruited quality similar to what rye can do to a brew in excessive quality but not quite which is an interesting change of pace. Cinnamon is present coupled with a bit of earthiness like nutmeg.

The taste of this brew carries plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg spices. Initially the brew is sweet like the previously mentioned belgian candy sugar but maybe a bit more like toffee or caramel. More sips bring out a fruited quality before a bitterness of herbal hops breaks down the sweetness and clashes a bit with the spices.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. I recall having this brew 2 years ago and did not like it at all. I can say without hesitation that it seems the recipe has been tweaked quite a bit since then and it is significantly better now. However, the spiciness is almost too much at times as it reminds me of an autumn air freshener and the hopping rate is a bit much but that is what makes this brew stand out from the rest. Worth a try for sure if pumpkin beers are your thing.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 01:24:10 | More by stakem

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Tasting Room. This is the version with pie crust added to it. Reviewed from notes.

A - Pours bright orange with a small white head leaving small trails of lace down the glass.

S - Smells of pumpkin pulp, cinnamon, graham cracker crust, and vanilla. With the addition of the crust this has become one of the better smelling pumpkin beers I have come across.

T - Starts off with a ton of vanilla and pumpkin pulp quickly giving way to a generous amount of "thanksgiving" spices, caramel malt and the every present graham crackers.

M - Medium body with plenty of flavor and moderate carbonation. Body is a slightly weird mix of pulp and crust, I am not sure why but it just seems to work.

O - This one is pretty good, and is only getting better each time they make it. I will definitely give it another try next year.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2012 02:17:24 | More by orangesol

MalReever

Delaware

4/5  rDev 0%

01-23-2012 13:17:40 | More by MalReever

DaveHack

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

12-03-2011 04:22:01 | More by DaveHack

billzee

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

11-20-2011 00:46:36 | More by billzee

pvequalsnrt

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +25%

11-19-2011 00:49:22 | More by pvequalsnrt

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the standard against which I will hold all other pumpkin beers. On tap at the Spring House. This is liquid thanksgiving. Clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and an intensely full mouthfeel along with prominent pumpkin flavor make this one of the greatest autumn beers I've had the pleasure of tasting.
The alcohol content, while perfect for the style, isn't noticeable on the palate but warms you nicely on a cool autumn night. I can't sing the praises of this one enough. SH beers aren't always homeruns but the spirit of innovation is admirable and this one is a grand slam. I'm proud to have these guys in my city.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2011 02:33:56 | More by HossMcGraw

thain709

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is the latest batch that was brewed with pie crust. I am reviewing that version. I have had the original and it was just an average pumpkin ale. You have to try the newest batch!

A - Served with a clear, yet dark copper body...the one finger head was white in color and receded to a wispy cap then a solid ring...some lacing

S - Not only do you have a huge pumpkin pie spice presence but there is that underlying aroma from the pie crust that actually makes this smell like the real deal...sweet vanilla can also be detected pretty easily...Deaune described it as french toast, and I can't argue with that

T - Those same players in the nose carry over to the flavor...you get a huge dose of vanilla, pie crust (graham cracker), and pumpkin pie spices...all of those flavors roll around on your palate and you really think you just took a bite, not a drink, of something...as you swallow, some earthy hop flavors come forward as well as the fleshy pumpkin...I wish the vanilla or spices would have ended the beer

M - Medium bodied...pumpkin and hop flavors come out at the finish...earthy finish

O - This is the way Braaaiins! should be made...I loved the addition of the pie crust and I'm guessing extra vanilla as well...the nose was amazing, but I wish those flavors would have carried themselves through the entire beer

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 13:46:54 | More by thain709

oline73

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap at the taproom in Lancaster. Poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear red amber with a layer of off white head, fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Reminds me of pumpkin cheese cake. Creamy, bready, cinnamon and pumpkin.

Taste: There is some pumpkin and pie spice up from. Huge taste of graham cracker crust. Sweet spice in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: A very different pumpkin ale. The graham cracker notes were a welcome addition. Creamy smell was a bit weird. I think I enjoyed this one. Love the name!

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 18:23:02 | More by oline73

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

2011 batch, on-tap at the Spring House Taproom in Lancaster. Poured into a 10 oz miniature nonic pint glass.

A: Rustic copper colored body with some lighter golden orange hues around the edge. A small white head disappeared rather quickly and left almost nothing expect a thin ring. No lace to speak of.

S: Huge spice notes, nutmeg and touch of cinnamon. A really doughy and crusty pumpkin pie crust comes through, along with hints of graham cracker. Perhaps a bit of pumpkin is on the end but certainly isn't the focus of this beer.

T: As with the nose, the graham cracker and pie crust is the center of attention, and it's really good. I'm not sure if I've ever had a Pumpkin Ale that focused on this aspect but it works really well. The spices are back to complement, this time with more cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg towards the back end.

M: A bit watery, though fairly bubbly and lively. It does make this extremely easy drinking in terms of body but I would have liked just a bit more character, still not bad at all.

This was one of the more interesting Pumpkin Ales I've sampled and certainly one worth trying. I can't speak for the past batches but this one is quite tasty. It's a completely different spectrum and focus for the style, something of which works really well.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 13:41:25 | More by ShanePB

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Via growler pour on 12/6/10.

A - Emerged from the growler as a rusty medium copper/orange-colored liquid with amber hues and a minimal off-white head that reduced to a thin ring of retention.

S - Pumpkin spices are apparent, especially nutmeg, but also cinnamon and earthy spices. This pumpkin ale also displays a bready malt character reminiscent of pie crust. This is also one of the only pumpkin ales I've come across with some kind of noticeable hop aroma, and suggests mild tea-like and herbal, earthy notes.

T - Initial flavor boasts a nice blend of pie spices with a slight burnt crust character that is pretty damn delicious. I am really digging the malty pie crust aspect of this beer, and it works really well with the tinge of earthy hops. I love the finish. There's pumpkin flesh, moderate spiciness and that delicious crusty presence.

M - Medium bodied with a light syrupy texture, perhaps a tad watery overall. Carbonation is moderate and not too prickly or overbearing. Finishes with a hint of bitterness and mild spiciness on the palate.

D - I'm going to give this beer some love. Nothing overpowers the flavor here, yet it retains a very authentic flavor without being too overly spicy, which is a downfall with many other pumpkin ales. The crusty malt character really shines here and I found this to be an excellent example of what can be done with a pumpkin beer.

Serving type: growler

12-16-2010 21:14:57 | More by ffejherb