Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale - Cigar City Brewing

readbaron

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Dunt for the pour.

Pours out an amber orange pumpkin color with adequate foam.

Nose smells like fall, almost like a pumpkin pie. Pumpkin up front blended with cloves and a lot of sweetness.

Taste follows the nose - it's a pretty sweet beer up front. The pumpkin and spices are noticable, and it finishes with a bit of grainy, toasted, bready malt. Somehow - the more I sipped this - the less I appreciated the whole amalgamation. I did enjoy the pour, but think that if I had more than 5 or so ounces I'd have a hard time finishing it.

Feel is decent, well carbed, medium bodied, but a bit dry.

Overall, a bit dissapointing. I was hoping this would rival pumking or TREAT, but it doesn't quite make it there.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 21:04:48 | More by readbaron

BrownNut

Florida

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served cool in a tulip.
Bottled August 2011, drunk June 2012.
Bottled August 2012, drunk September 2012.
Bottled August 2012, drunk March 2013.
Bottled August 2012, drunk April 2013.

A - 3.5 - Cloudy amber like unfiltered apple cider. Fizzy head gone very quickly.

S - 4.0 - So fragrant immediately upon popping the cap. All the spices come through, especially the allspice and cloves, with the pumpkin playing second fiddle. It reminds me of the smell of turning up a mug of hot spiced apple cider around the holidays, and not just because of the spices.

T - 4.0 - The same spices are there on the palate, as well as something else, like dark gingerbread Christmas cookies. I'm not sure I get too much actual pumpkin but that's fine with me. Just a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. I'm not even sure it's a hop bitterness, more like an apple peel astringent bitterness. Zero booze detected.

M - 4.0 - Originally lighter bodied than what I was expecting. Finishes clean just on the edge of dry. But as it has aged it has gotten a somewhat thicker slicker mouthfeel. Still ends substantially tannic though.

O - 4.0 - I first drank this fall seasonal the June after its release. It wasn't even fresh but still tasted fine. Then I had it fresh the following release and it wasn't much different. Then that one again the following March. I swear a bit of age actually makes it better, counterintuitively. It isn't one I'd want to session all night given the specialty flavors involved, but as a special seasonal, a 375ml is nice. Usually I'm a few sips in to a pumpkin beer before it starts to feel like a chore to get through it, but this one is nice. April 2013 bottle confirms that this keeps getting better with age.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 03:01:11 | More by BrownNut

TKEbeerman

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Changing it up a bit, I poured this ale into my SA Perfect Pint. This brew pours a pretty pumpkin orange with a cream colored head.

S: The aroma is definitely amplified. There is a depth to the complexity of this brew that many others lack. Notes of pumpkin spice (as opposed to raw pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a delicious tinge of nutmeg.

T: The flavor profile is equal as complex with pumpkin shining through. I love how all the spices in the nose come together on the pallet.

MF: Mouthfeel is medium and creamy.

Overall, this is a great pumpkin ale. Definitely top 5 for me, and one of the most noticeably complex pumpkins that I've had. On a side note, I noticed the bottle was a little better than on tap, and definitely better served a little warmer.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 22:42:13 | More by TKEbeerman

jcartamdg

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange amber with a one finger head that sticks around in my bruery tulip. Aromas of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and a bit of ginger. Taste follows nose, really creamy, smooth and easy to drink. This is a great pumpkin beer, I could drink it all year!

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 01:15:13 | More by jcartamdg

fields336

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle dated August 29, 2011
Poured into SN Snifter, 750 mL bottle

A: Pours an Auburn reddish, brownish, gold, with 2 fingers french vanilla colored head. Carbonation is streaming off of the bottom, little haze.

S: light pumpkin, spices, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Caramel, bready malts. little hop scent.

T: Bready, with pumpkin sweetness, Almost pumking like in its "crust-yness" they managed to get the crust in there with the sweet pumpkin, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. Has a nice earthy, citrusy, grassy hop presence as well, but not as prominent as Smuttynose Pumpkin. Really delicious.

M: Medium-heavy mouthfeel, nicely carbonated, drinkable, but I can definitely feel the alcohol in it.

O: This may be the best pumpkin beer I've had. Smuttynose is excellent, but slightly too hoppy, Pumking has just a little too much breadyness and sweetness, This is balanced, delicious and has a touch of what makes each other pumpkin ale great in it.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 00:24:11 | More by fields336

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle with cool labelwork & has me excited with the beefed up abv! Damn I love big beers!

Blood orange red color in the glass plays to the theme. Fluffy off white head fills the glass out well, making for a good looking beverage. Suprise, suprise! Sweet pumpkin spices, cinnamon & nutmeg hit the nostrils. Expected this for an imperial pumpkin. Smells fucking good. Same on the palate but with a full body, neatly creamy in texture, but well carbonated.

Overall, this is my favorite pumpkin ale of the season. At $11.99 per bottle, its a bit price to get again. Well worth trying it once though - loved it.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 19:31:27 | More by hoptualBrew

Heatwave33

Florida

4/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 mL bottle to a Dogfish Head Snifter.

Color: Dark hazy orange.

Smell: Cinnamon, pumpkin, nutmeg, allspice. A lot of cinnamon.

Taste: Just like the smell cinnamon is the superior taste. Then pumpkin, nutmeg and allspice.

Mouthfeel: Smooth with a dry finish.

Overall: A very good pumpkin ale. I had the pleasure of drinking this with my wife's best friend. She enjoyed this ale a lot too. I am impressed with every Cigar City brew I try. Whatever it is they do there I hope they never stop! This is my second favorite pumpkin ale next to Dogfish Heads. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 22:07:44 | More by Heatwave33

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber to tulip-pint (thanks to MinorThreat for this in a trade)

A - deep amber/brown in color; nice off-white foam head; some light lacing

S - pumpkin, toffee, burnt sugar; has some really nice malt notes cinnamon and sugar

T - damn fine pumpkin pie is what this tastes like; allspice, nutmeg; really caramel-heavy; brown sugar; maple syrup; not too sweet but caramel maltiness; some molasses

M - this beer is smooth; it's sweetness is there but not at all cloying; medium-bodied; really lightly carbonated; balanced

O - I seem to be one of a few who really love pumpkin beers; this is a phenomenal representation of this beer style/flavor; the sweetness is there but not at all overwhelmingly so; I almost don't taste any booziness...that says something at 8.5%; to me, this is a perfect fall offering

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 20:37:15 | More by SkeeterBoganski

Beerisheaven

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this last night side by side with Elysian Great Pumpkin. I am actually a big fan of most of the Cigar City offerings, so I was interested in trying their pumpkin presentation. Thanks to Bryanole for shooting this my way.

A - Pours nicely, a dark orange red with a fairly strong white head that rises up and quickly pulls back.

S - Pretty standard pumpkin fare in that it presents a strong profile of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspince, what you would normally expect in a pumpkin beer.

T - Again, pretty standard in that it focuses on the traditional spices although there is a slight bitterness towards the end, almost a hoppy profile on top of the pumpkin beer.

M- Pretty good, not thick in any way, pretty much what you would expect.

O - Against the Great Pumpkin, this one came out the loser. I would say that CCB has done a nice job but it sits there with most other pumpkin offerings. Nothing allows this one to stand out versus the Weyerbacher and others. A good effort noting noteworthy here.

Thanks again to Bryanole for shooting these my way. I have a couple of extra bottles for the fall football tailgating season that will come in handy.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 13:18:15 | More by Beerisheaven

IdrinkGas

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm glad pumpkin beer season is coming to an end. I keep buying them but I've never found one that stands out above the rest.

A: Golden caramel in color with a small white head.
S: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and some sweetness.
T: Cinnamon and cloves mainly but it has a fresh gourd taste to it. If you have ever broken a gourd in half and smelled it thats exactly how this one finishes. Sort of odd after taste.

Drinks a little bit bigger than your typical pumpkin ale. Decent beer but nothing that really sets it apart from the others.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 03:40:57 | More by IdrinkGas

hdelavega

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice burnt orange with a thick off white head.
Great aroma, roasted pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove.
Flavor keeps up with the nose. A great balance between the pumpkin and spice. I get more clove in the taste balanced by brown sugar.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 04:05:28 | More by hdelavega

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage; drank as freshly as possible.

A: Deep, rich pumpkin-orange/burnt orange; looks like Fall. 1 finger tan head that dissipates at a moderate rate.

S: Great aroma on this. Lots of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and some brown sugar.

T: Outstanding. Following the nose, there is a lot of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg. The clove is pretty muted in this brew for me (which is a plus as far as I'm concerned...I don't care for the pumpkin ales that are very clove-forward). On the finish, I'm getting some slightly buttery pie crust and some creamy whipped cream. Delicious.

M: A little bit of a sipper. At 8.5%, the ABV is well hidden but it does hit me a little bit. I drank about 1/2 a bomber in 1 sitting and sealed the rest for the following night.

I personally love Pumpkin Ales. I know it's a polarizing style, but they are among my favorites. Overall, this was well worth the online buy from Luekens'. I have been wanting to try this for a while and couldn't wait until Sept 1 (the "official" start of fall and football season in my book this year) to try it. For me, it kind of melded together a lot of elements of Schlafly Pumpkin (with the spice profile) and Pumking (with the buttery, whipped cream finish....without overdoing it as I feel Pumking sort of does). I will definitely be ordering more of this in the future. Seek it out!

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 13:49:12 | More by bcostner1

JamesShoemaker

New York

4.34/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

750 ml poured into a coffee mug (my girlfriend's glassware [ceramicware?] of choice). Big thanks to woodsyy for the hook up; great trade!

A - what an interesting, cloudy looking brew. It pours dark orange and brown off the bottle, settling almost grey in the cup. Big foam takes a bit of time to recede, leaving that nice filmy lacing on top as it goes down.

S - there's something a little off here, almost like copper, but it's not dominating. It smells a whole lot like pumpkin spice, but not in a unique way. Other pumpkin beers (Pumking notably) smell nearly identical.

T - GG isn't sweet by any means, and the spices aren't overpowering and chemical-packed like they are in virtually every other pumpkin beer. However, it's really very pleasant, almost like a carbonated pumpkin latte. There's a hint of vanilla beneath some of the more intense spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, but it's very well balanced and smooth.

M - again, incredibly smooth. Very little carbonation makes GG drinkable, and 8.5% isn't high enough to intimidate even lightweight beer drinkers. Not artificial at all, which is really remarkable for the style.

O - great beer that I'd love to drink again in high season. GG is most definitely a crowd pleaser, and by far the best in a style that's almost always mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 01:28:04 | More by JamesShoemaker

hmf05

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber with a one finger creamy head. The aroma is typical pumpkin pie spices like cardamom, cinnamon, all spice, etc. There is also a nice pumpkin/squash aroma behind the spices. The taste is heavy on the spices and I get a good amount of whipped-cream. The alcohol is hidden well for a 9% beer. The mouthfeel is medium with medium to high carbonation. I'd prefer this to be a little less carbonated. Overall, the second best Pumpkin ale I have ever had. I think this would benefit from some aging and I will try to review this some time next year. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 05:18:43 | More by hmf05

Vec2267

Florida

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Closet aged for a year - about the best I can do.

A - cloudy orange, nice head, little lacing

S - pumpkin pie, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, fruity, sweet

T - follows the nose, cinnamon first, allspice next, followed by some fruit and caramel, and just enough bitterness to not be sweet

M - creamy, buttery, quite rich

O - its pumpkin beer - not my first choice - but this is well done and delivers what I would expect from a fall / pumpkin pie inspired beer

When I first had a fresh bottle of this I thought the alcohol interfered with the beer - 13 months of age did wonders.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 02:00:23 | More by Vec2267

calcio360jrd

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My last bottle of this one, figured now the best time to review.

This has taken over as my favorite pumpkin beer. Most of the pumpkin beers tend to have to much pumpkin spice in them, or tend to be too sweet like pumking, although i like pumking just fine. Good Gourd strikes the balance the best for me between pumpkin flavor and just enought added spice to make me think of this time of the year. The 9% abv doesn't hurt either, rounding this one out perfectly for the style.

I'll be looking for more bottles, or i just will have to wait til next year.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 19:15:40 | More by calcio360jrd

ales4baldo

California

3.95/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Hdelavega for this one in a nice trade. 

P-Big pumpkin on there and somewhat of a thanksgiving theme. 

A-a hazy brownish orange. Didnt get much head from this one and the little bit that I did didn't last very long. Poured out real light. Cloudy look to it. 

S-I get pumpkin and sugar. Sweet pie as well and lots of malts. Somewhat of a pilsner scent to it. Pumpkin crust and toppings as well. 

T-nice. You can easily taste the spices as well as the pumpkin. Black pepper and slight spicy notes. Little bit of butterscotch as well. Interesting. 

M-thin, easy to drink. Not to overwhelming. Light body to it and finishes well with the pumpkin lingering around. Would be a little better with a little less spice. Carbonation is good as well. 

O-different. Not what I usually drink but something that's good with food and desert. Spices are a bit overbearing but blend in well. Nice beer. 

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 06:12:36 | More by ales4baldo

indesertum

New York

4.45/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

gorgeous head. nice retention and lacing. amber brown gold

nice pumpkin on the nose. typical spices, but pretty rich aroma compared to most pumpkin beers i've had.

wow. the first thing i taste is oddly rich dark chocolate. pumpkin in the back ground. turkey day spices. nice bitterness in the finish. really well balanced. rich. dark. complex.

mouthfeel is nice. good carbonation. finish lasts for awhile.

honestly speaking this is the best pumpkin beer i've had this year and i've had way too many.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 03:29:00 | More by indesertum

bernardus1212

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The ever so controversial pumpkin ales. What to do with them? Had the "IPA" at the tasting room. Pumpkin ales are very up and down and are ususally very pricey. Well this guy was way up!. Poured a very nice fall brown color. With a medium density white head. For me CCB does the best job balancing beers flavors. This pumpkin was balnced in the hops, spice, and pumpkin flavors. My favorite pumpkin. Dont try to convince me otherwise.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 16:19:09 | More by bernardus1212

gatorguy

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Nice light ruby color, with a big creamy white head. Leaves good lacing.

S - Wow. Pumpkin smell hits hard here, with the spices adding a light, complimentary touch. This smells fantastic.

T - The nose was mostly right. Spices come up front first, maily cinnamon and cloves. Next comes the pumpkin, and a healthy amount of it. The taste of it is natural and mellow. The balance between the pumpkin and the spices is about perfect. Next comes a buttery, graham crust hint, not overly strong but you can pick it up. All spices comes in, along with some earthy hops to finish and balance it out. Slight pine bitterness in the very finish, and leaves an awesome alcohol warmth on the throat. Winner!

M - Pretty light for an imperial pumpkin ale, carbonation is slightly low but about right for the most part.

O - Excellent imperial pumpkin. Nails a nice balance, isn't too heavy, and comes off as natural. This is what an imperial pumpkin should taste like!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 17:45:55 | More by gatorguy

hopking311

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally.. thank you CCB.. for bottling this amazing brew.

Poured into my CCB snifter.. half finger of head disspates to thin white lace around inner glass.. dark amber orange color.. lacey

smells like real fresh pumpkin, sweet hints of cinnamon, clove and all spice.

medium body, rich creamy, well balanced carbonation

Rich creamy pumpkin, taste.. immediately destroys the palate, subtle cinnamon, nutmeg undertones with a slight alcohol twinge to indicate its presence.

This is the catalina wine mixer of Pumpkin beer this season!!

get you some!! PaaaaHHH

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 03:29:11 | More by hopking311

Brittmb29

Florida

3.85/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

reviewed from notes:

a- orange brown hazy body with some light penetration. thin rim of foam and whispy head w/ some lacing (served into pokal in this review, but head tends to vary a lot since i've had this a few times)

s- nutmeg cinnamon pumpkin and malty yeast. reminds me of a great spiced pumpkin loaf. some alcohol and sweetness also.

t- follows nose but even fuller, much more pumpkin with enough pie spices to season the beer without overwhelming with any one spice. hop character blends well to balance the sweet bready malt body in the finish.

M- comes on crisp with good carbonation, moves to a medium-full body with soft feel. finishes crisp and relatively dry with some alcohol in the end. no cloying spice in the finish.

i still have a bottle of this that i plan on sharing for thanksgiving. high alcohol makes it good to share but still not too high that finishing most of the bottle (for me) wouldn't be hard either. another great ccb brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 16:36:58 | More by Brittmb29

injuredreserve

Louisiana

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark amber with medium bodied off white head.

S: Nutmeg, pumpkin spice, malty and buttery pie crust.

T: Wow, very nice pumpkin beer. Spices up front, pumpkin, followed by a nice buttery finish.

M: Thick, coats the tongue.

O: Very nice example of a pumpkin ale. Best I have had.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 02:23:18 | More by injuredreserve

enzocc

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Amber, Orange, caramel color. Perfect, average color for this style of beer. Almost two fingers of head, but it didn't last too long.

S - The aromas that this beer has is incredible. Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, brown sugar, almost toffee, and a light chocolate, and ofcourse Pumpkin are all over the essences of this beer.

T - Pumpkin, Cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, caramel, and a touch of chocolate are predominant on the flavor. Lightly floral hops. Alcohol almost not noticeable.

M - I will prefer a dense, sticky beer, but this beer is watery, but almost sticky at the end. Its not so thin so you cant get use to it. Drinkable!

O - Excellent aroma flavor. Fits perfectly in his style. Very pumpkin flavor with his popular ingredients. A pumpkin beer that I could recommend!

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 02:45:44 | More by enzocc

biggsbowler

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Vine & Barley. Umm Pumpkin!!! This is why I love the fall and Cigar City. Its good to drink a beer, where I taste pumpkin and not a lot of spices. Now there are some spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla), but just enough to enhance the flavor of the pumpkin. There is nothing artificial about this beer. I can and will drink a lot of this beer. Great job, Joey and Wayne.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 13:39:02 | More by biggsbowler