Sasquash - Milwaukee Brewing Company

emerge077

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"A sweet potato and pumpkin porter" according to a recent article in the Business Journal.

On tap at Toad Hall in Racine, WI, review from written notes.

Served in a nonic pint glass. Dark brown with a ruby glint in the light. Lasting tan foam with a ring of lace around it's edges.

Toasty, spicy sweet nutmeg and pumpkin aromas.

Some light roast from the base porter, more nutmeg and an earthy sweetness interpreted as sweet potato possibly, and perceptible roasted pumpkin notes. A light dry bitterness in the aftertaste. Light and slightly watery feel, but smooth with subdued spice levels. It's pretty drinkable and a unique combo of porter and actual pumpkin with supporting spices, though thankfully subdued. Probably the most interesting thing i've tried from MKE Brewing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 02:13:08 | More by emerge077

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

It's not so elusive... Anyway, this stuff pours a deep garnet-brown topped by a finger of dusty ecru foam. The nose comprises mace, cinnamon, cocoa powder, sweet potato, brown sugar, and brown sugar-cinnamon graham cracker. The taste brings in more of the same, with everything coming through toasted to some degree, if that makes sense. There's also an addition of mild coffee in there for good measure. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluidly smooth feel. Overall, a tasty, enjoyable hybrid of the porter and pumpkin ale styles. Beside Polish Moon, this is one of the best beers made by MKE at this point.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 15:03:36 | More by TMoney2591

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic.
5.6% ABV, 12.5 IBUs, no date.

A - Held up to the light, this porter barely lets light through it's crimson brown highlights; it's almost pitch black. A tall mocha head rises above the beer and slowly lowers down but leaves little to be reminded of it's presence.

S - A few staples like turkey and stuffing are missing, otherwise this smells like a Thanksgiving beer; gutted and roasted pumpkin and mashed sweet potatoes! A few drops of sweet honey and a sprinkle of pie spice join the fun for a holiday aroma.

T - Despite over 700 pounds of pumpkin and sweet potato being used in this beer, it's flavor involvement is quite subtle, barely rising above the plethora of roasted malt. Cocoa, oily coffee bean notes, and bittersweet chocolate swirl around the malty flavor with traces of the vegetables following behind.

M - Rich in flavor but medium bodied, this beer doesn't cross over into the heavy side of things, offering gentle roast dryness and bitterness on the finish with sweetness becoming a balancing afterthought.

O - By the end of the fall season the obligatory rich pumpkin pie spiciness, though I love it, becomes over-used. Sasquash skips over the stereotypical pumpkin flavors and mashes it with sweet potatoes for a meal-like addition to a hearty, delicately roasted porter. This blend is a welcome departure from the usual, exploring new and exciting territory.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 17:30:53 | More by BeerFMAndy