Terrapin Pumpkinfest - Terrapin Beer Company

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a Unibroue tulip. Aroma is of nutmeg, brown sugar and pumpkin pie. People at my bar can't stop drinking this shit. Memo to Terrapin/Spike: Thank you for making this side project but please do what you did with Gamma Ray and make this one an annual beer. It's too good to be a one time offering, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it. I understand that this one is a hybrid, either way its at the top of the pumpkin heap of beers. Taste follows the aromas pretty well and I do detect some of the traditional "Octoberfest" flavors in the background, but pumpkin flavors dominate the taste profile and its truly a tasty and refreshing joy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2009 04:59:26 | More by KickbacksSteve

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Very good pumpkin beer by Terrapin. Got this one on my first trip to Charleston Beer Exchange. I saw they had it on draught and immediately got it. They nailed this one pretty good. Apperance was ok, nothing to write home about. The stuff that matters though, smell and taste, were great. Smell was just like a fresh pumpkin pie and oh so buttery. Taste was just like you'd imagine a good pumpkin pie would be. Not too much cinnamon, slight earthiness of the pumpkin, and buttery goodness. The more it warms up, the more I like it. Definitely in my top 3 favorite pumpkin beers.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2009 03:01:17 | More by JISurfer

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Dispensed from a capped and gold foiled 22oz bottle into a snifter. Emerges clear and ruby amber in color. A small, thin white head forms and leaves a bit of lacing. The head is a bit thin and fizzy.

Aroma is very festive. Cinnamon and nutmeg seem to dominate but are not overwhelming. It seems like there might even be a bit of cranberry tartness and sweetness in the aroma. Smells like pumpkin pie and cinammon spiced apples. Really nice aroma.

Fruity cinnamon apples up front and followed by cinammon sugar and a sweet fruitiness. Nutmeg and allspice round out the wonderful flavor and spice profile.

I wasnt expecting anything from this one. All of the other beers in this series have been average at best. Not only is this the best one in the series by far, it may be one of the best pumpkin beers I have ever had. Not overwhleming, subtle, spicy, very flavorful and very festive. A really hard style to get correct and Terrapin really nailed this one. Loved it!

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2009 17:06:17 | More by SaCkErZ9

tchenery

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer pours a nice dark red-brown. It has an awesome even, slightly off-white head that is lacing the glass. Very bright, as a lager should be.

Smells like pie. Enough said.

Very smooth beer. Pumpkin doesn't overpower but does control the flavor. It's rich, but not over the top - it's very creamy

So smooth, mouthfeel doesn't leave you too dry.

Probably too drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 01:41:06 | More by tchenery

BethyBo0op

4.53/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a lovely beer. Smells fresh and spicy, and can taste cloves and cinnamon immediately with almost a fresh apple cider finish. Light and lovely. I don't taste tons of pumpkin, but this is not a sweet beer at all, very spicy. Really great fall beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:09:14 | More by BethyBo0op

Roose13

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into pint glass.

A: Dark caramel color. Finger-width head. Bubbles after the pour that linger and rise throughout.

S: Probably the best-smelling pumpkin beer I have ever had. Brown sugar, cinnamon, spices. Just a wonderful aroma that's strong and just radiates out of the bottle and glass and lingers on your lips.

T: Smooth and easy to drink. Slightly bitter. Hints of brown sugar and spices. Gourdy.

M: Feels great in the mouth. Carbonated.

Overall this beer rocks. One of the best fall beers out there and right up there in the argument for a top-notch pumpkin beer. Would drink this again and again.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 03:16:33 | More by Roose13

rebel1771

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark reddish orange color with a small head that dissipates quickly.

S: Strong aroma of pumpkin pie spices with a slight malt backbone. Smells awesome.

T: Nice malt base that pairs well with sweet pumpkin pie flavor. Not overpowering, nicely balanced.

D: This is one of the best pumpkin beers I have had. The spice flavor is spot on, this brew is gonna be hard to beat.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2010 22:39:25 | More by rebel1771

yankeej13

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have had the pumpkinfest before but did not really remember it so I had to get it again and try it.

A- Has a really nice orange amber like color. A nice mellow white ring of foam with little to no carbonation.

S- It has a delicious smell, very potent. A really strong scent of a spicy cinnamon with a strong pumpkin smell along with nutmeg and other spices as well. Has a nice string of caramel flavor to go along with it.

T- Has a fantastic flavor a nice bold pumpkin and cinnamon taste right up front with packs a nice smooth sweet finish.

M- Great drinkablitly, Has a pretty sticky taste which is great. Nice and smooth all the way to the very end. Carmamel gives it a nice sweet aftertaste.

Overall- I was extremely impressed, they did a great job and I will continue to buy and enjoy this beer. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 21:41:18 | More by yankeej13

One2Remeber

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Oh I love Terrapin, it has been at least a couple months since I've had one of there beers. I am really looking forward to this one. I've only had Dogfish and Weyerbaucher's pumpkin beers this season so I'm still getting my pallet back in stride. Not sure what to expect being a lager.

A: A dark reddish-orange color with a clear body, looks extremely well filtered. Head is beautiful, lacey and sticky as it calms down, but still leaves a nice thin dirty white foam on top. Looks frothy. Lots of bubbles streaming to the top after several minutes.

S: The best smelling pumpkin beer to me because there is delicate balance between pumpkin and spices. My guess is there was some biscuit malts or vanilla type flavoring to act as a neutralizing element.

T: Whoa, this is going to be a quick 12 oz. Typical lager finish, dry biscuity, bitter malts that I don't really care for but the pumpkin pie taste up front, then spices before the finish really complete a worthwhile transition of flavor. Extremely creamy at the end to make for a deliciously enjoyable drinking experience.

M: It feels like cinnamon and all spice hit every taste bud, just exploding with flavor. Lingerings with a hefty spice finish for a couple seconds before turning completely ending with a creamy lager bitterness that stays. Heavy cinnamon through out, but more like a bittering cinnamon, could use some sugar to warm up the taste.

D: My favorite pumpkin beer so far this year. It is not dominant on either pumpkin pie or pumpkin spices which I can appreciate. I feel like Dogfish head is more like eating pie and Southern Tier's is more like warming spices; which both are good in their own regard but Pumpkinfest is a great balance between the two, by far my favorite lager I've ever had:) I love Terrapin.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 06:25:41 | More by One2Remeber

JCB14

4.43/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The head on this beer was about average with okay retention. The aroma was excellent with strong (but good) overtones of pumpkin pie spice. The beer had a great hop flavor that is often missing in this style. This is a beer that I would gladly have a second. In general a good beer for this style it was great.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 15:31:56 | More by JCB14

daliandragon

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed today at Tyler's Taproom down the road in Apex this afternoon As part of my birthday celebration with my wife and four month old son. Minimal off white head and plenty of pumpkin and spice in the nose. Malt, grains, and a little sugar round out the intro.

Extremely well balanced throughout and very tasty, with the cinnamon and nutmeg leading the malt and tiny hop bite along by the nose. Not too thick on the tongue and extremely easy to drink, this one was gone before I knew it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2010 04:54:14 | More by daliandragon

jsdunlop

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours out amber with a nice frothy white head. Active carbonation visible. Lots of pumpkin and spice in the nose mixed in with cinnamon and stewed vegetables. Noticeable bitterness about halfway through the sip, good lager character to it. Again, cinnamon shines through in the taste, along with some pumpkin and a hefty blend of spices, pretty much smells like it tastes. This beer is crisp and refreshing, has a nice moderate mouthfeel to it, and is extremely smooth. Overall, I'd prefer this pumpkin-lager to a pumpkin ale any day.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 03:00:56 | More by jsdunlop

FattyJLE

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

S - Pumpkin pie spice but not quite as sweet. Almost potpourri like. A hint of raisins at room temp.

A - Clear, deep orange/brown sunburst with minimal head.

T - Spicy, pumpkin pie spices. Low hop bitterness. Malt flavor is a combination of biscuit malts and light caramel sweetness. With warmth, a cinnamon, brown sugar, raisin-like flavor emerges. Finishes semi-sweet.

M - Medium carbonation. Moderate body.

O - A delicious seasonal beer. An interesting blend of pumpkin ale and Oktoberfest styles. Terrapin absolutely nailed the level of spice for my taste. I don't know exactly what this beer is, but I don't care. I'll definitely have again.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 05:00:18 | More by FattyJLE

dpodratsky3

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber poured into pint glass

A: Clear amber with a frothy off-white head, looks like a fall beer, although that can be stereotypical...I'm expecting good things though

S: Cinnamon and allspice stand out to me, it smells like pumpkin pie, not necessarily like pumpkin, but like the filling itself

T: Tastes exactly like pumpkin pie, the flavor hits you and tastes just like you bit into the filling, then there is a breadiness that resembles the crust, in some beers a buttery taste would be off-putting, but here it adds to the experience that you are actually tasting pie, it tastes like crust

M: Very pleasant, enhances flavors, again in some cases the slight butter hint would detract, but here it enhances

D: This is what I was waiting for in a pumpkin beer, I can't stop drinking this

Notes: I had high expectations for the marriage of two good styles and Terrapin didn't disappoint. I'm sure some will not like it because some people don't like pie tasting beer, but this is what I have been waiting for. Most pumpkin beers are too spicy and hoppy for me, but this one is just right. I literally tastes like pie in your mouth, all the way down to the crumbly crust.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2009 03:56:15 | More by dpodratsky3

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A nice bright copper color, there was only a hint of head at the top but barely anything, left almost no lacing at all.

S: Strong notes of cinnamon and pumpkin, nice warming malt note on the tail end.

T: Well Balanced, nice cinnamon notes and different spices throughout, nice flavor, perfect for the season.

M: Medium bodied, well balanced, moderate carbonation.

O: This was one of the pumpkin brews that I thoroughly enjoyed, well balanced and great tasting, great fall beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 21:21:29 | More by thedoubler55

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle

A: Deep copper under a medium white head. No lace and very thin retention.

S: Pumpkin and spices (go figure). Very well balanced between the two. Pie spice mostly of all spice, clove and cinnamon but the pumpkin is never too far behind.

T: Spice kind of dominates the taste, all spice, clove, cinnamon but it isn't overpowering. Pumpkin has more of a "fruity" quality I feel here, giving a good sweetness along with the malt. Very mild bitterness in the finish. Very well put together.

M/D: Medium to full bodied, carbonation is slightly prickly but goes well. Good drinkability. Perhaps a bit more body than most pumpkin ales which takes a little away slightly from the session quality, but very tasty and entirely drinkable, although perhaps a bit slower.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2009 00:16:47 | More by NCSUdo

oberon

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A mix of a Fest lager and pumpkin ale now thats a mix.Poured ino a imperial nonic a clear burnt orange with a tinge of bronze,a thinner slight off white head atop.Light pumpkin pie spice in the nose,clove,cardamom,and cinnamon mainly,it is pretty light though.A nice mix of pumpkin spice and a crisp toasty finish,one of the better pumpkin ales I have had in awhile flavor wise.This pumpkin ale is not overly sweet and spiced up and is very drinkable,very nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2009 18:33:10 | More by oberon

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice pumpkin ale with a nutty, pumpkin flavor and not too sweet or over spiced like many examples. Tastes like a pumpkin beer rather than a pumpkin pie beer. Smells nutty, and like baked pumpkin with a hint of spice. Even nuttier in the taste- you can really tell that the pumpkin is in the squash family here- almost reminiscent of baked butternut squash, but even a bit earthier. This blends nicely with the relatively mild earthy hops, a nice creaminess and just a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Just a touch of sweetness. The nutty lightly carmelized roasty flavors keep bringing me back for another sip. Delicious. Smooth, creamy, and medium bodied in the mouth. One of the better side projects. Nice!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 00:16:10 | More by Georgiabeer

hopking311

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours deep orange copper,.. solid white layer of head.. lacey.

Rich pumpkin pie nose.. creamy aroma, cinnamon nutmeg.. clove..

Well carbonated.. medium body

Taste creamy, nice natural pumpkin, spicey finish.

overall.. Definately one of the best pumpkin beers this season by far.. Glad I bought a sixer.. Picked up some more in Georgia this weekend. up date..
Did a side by side comparison with last years Side project 8 Thanks to Jimmy! Definately different but both good in their own rights.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 02:47:36 | More by hopking311

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle - $7.99 at Hop City in Atlanta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours out a deep amber-hued body showing good clarity with a short-lived, finger-high, off-white head.

Smell: Sweet-scented, toasty, bready nose with a good backing of spices, particularly notable is the ginger and cinnamon, and, of course, the wholesome, Autumunesque pumpkins.

Taste: German malts display tastes of sweet, toasted bread crusts lightly brushed with sugary caramel and served up with a full side of nice, vibrant cubed pumpkin. From the very beginning, the spice character is fairly bold and upfront, with the cinnamon and ever spicy ginger hitting first and the cloves and allspice following close behind. Mildly spicy, earthy hops with a light bitterness blend in well with the surrounding spice character. Bounces back and forth like an airborne pumpkin between the sweet maltiness and the spice blend until you arrive at the dry, somewhat spicy finish, with that ginger lingering into the aftertaste as it is often wont to do.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation, with some carbonic crackling on the tongue.

Drinkability: I enjoyed it. Pumpkinfest, for me, was a nice amalgam of a pumpkin beer and a wholesomely bready Oktoberfest. Minus a few ounces portioned out to Roommate Chuck, I had no qualms in clearing through the entire bomber.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2009 02:23:06 | More by ChainGangGuy

Yesac

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Clear beautiful amber/orange in color. Small off white layer of head.

S- Rich pumpkinbread aroma with hints of cinnamon. Very lively smell.

T- Huge malt note up front.. followed through by a pumpkin spice and a very toasty finish. Malt dominance throughout.

M- Thin bodied, medium carbonation gives it a refreshing feeling on the palate.

D- Easy drinking and refreshing. One of the better Octoberfest/pumpkin beers I've had. The smell is unique and the taste is great. Good job Terrapin.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2009 19:18:25 | More by Yesac

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured 10/2009

This one pours a crystal clear orangey copper with a thin ivory colored head. Clove and all spice in the nose. Maybe cinnamon. Sweet caramel malt too.

First sip tastes like pumpkin pie. Sweet caramel malt, lovely mix with the spices, sweetish finish with the sweet spice in the aftertaste (allspice, cinnamon and ginger). Sweetish finish and creamy body.

Terrapin does it again. They manage to strike the right note while combining two disparate styles.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2010 11:59:39 | More by ViveLaChouffe

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Side Project No. 8 in a 22 oz bomber, pumpkin beer with a marzen for a base...interesting. Pours a very hazed copper color with a rich, orange-tinted head. Decent retention, not much lacing.

Nose leans towards the pumpkin end of the spectrum as expected with a healthy dose of pie spices coming through and a touch of gourdy influence. Caramel maltiness is there and I dig the cleanliness of the lager as opposed to a fruitier ale base.

Nutmeg and cinnamon are on the forefront of the taste with an exceptionally clean feeling that I am guessing is due to the lager. Spicing is kept at moderate levels and is actually pretty dry overall, with a light toasty malt presence. Goes down so very smooth and quick, tasting great even though it is nearly a year old. Not much negative I can say about this one, an excellent melding of two fall classics. I really enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 14:04:31 | More by twiggamortis420

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Excited to try this beer, poured into chalice...

A- Deep rusty red color. Nice finger of dirty caramel colored head, settles to a ring and a few islands of foam in the glass.

S- I freaking love this style! Damn the pumpkin in this is a bit softer than others but has a very precise blend with the incredible bready malt from the oktoberfest aspect. I will say it ends with a bubblegum aroma which is neither lager nor pumpkin like, but could be from sweet spices added?

T/M- So great. Pumpkin is smooth and balanced. This is a pumpkin beer, but not liquid pumpkin pie beer like others attempt to be. The oktoberfest is a prefect base beer. Damn this marriage of styles is awesome. Bready toasted flavors mesh so well. Lightish medium body with that creamy moderate carbonation of a fest.

O- In top 3 favorites with Schlafly and Pumking so far, but I have a ways to go with Greater Pumpkin, TREAT, and Double Pumpkin all waiting to be drank. Nothing was overpowering or unbalanced. Can't wait to relax and drink this more this fall...

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 19:46:25 | More by TheGordianKnot

syrupjoe

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into pint glass.

Pours a light amber with fresh cream colored head.

Nose is very pumpkiny - cloves, cinnamon, pumpkin, ginger. All there. Smells very natural, as opposed to many other artiificial smelling pumpkin beers.

Taste confirms presence of spices picked up in nose. Very crisp and perfectly bitter. Almost no sweetness.

This is one of the best pumpkin beers I've head, mostly because this is one of the few that I would have more than one of in a single sitting. All of the positives of a pumpkin beer and none of the negatives of an overly sweet beer. This smells like pumpkin pie in a bottle but tastes like a well-balanced and perfectly spiced pumpkin beer. Would definitely drink again!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 02:40:56 | More by syrupjoe