Pumpkin Cream Ale - Carton Brewing Company

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a Palm tulip at the Cloverleaf Tavern.

Carton's Pumpkin Cream Ale pours an opaque tangerine, with almost two fingers of white foam capping the beer. Head retention is pretty good, but lacing is spotty. The nose has a strong candied orange peel aroma, supplemented by a light spiciness. The flavor profile is still orange peel forward, but it's more well balanced. The peppercorns make some more noise here than in the nose, and a light pumpkin note is just appreciable. The body has a bit of sturdiness to it, but it is paired with a lively carbonation that keeps things light. Carton's Pumpkin Cream Ale stands well apart from most traditional pumpkin ales, yet manages to have a tasty, fall inspired flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 03:15:47 | More by axeman9182

jlenik

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on tap @ coppermine pub.

a: hazy orange, but a vibrant orange. nice eggshell colored head which there wasn't an abundance of.

s: I was expecting spices but instead I got a lot of malt sweetness.

t: much better than I had anticipated, herbal notes along with orange peel upfront. The pumpkin is subdued in this one, some light pumpkin flavors meld well with the sweetness of this beer.

m: smooth and easy drinking cream ale. flavors are never overbearing in the mouth. despite the 9% abv it does not give any hints toward that much alcohol.

o: I was really impressed with this offering. Most pumpkin beers tend to be BIG on the pumpkin AND BIG on the spice, this was neither and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Had no clue of what the ABV was until I came home and researched it. I was expecting around 5% but it's 9!!! I found it to be more of a cream ale than a pumpkin ale but I guess it's still both?

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2012 22:25:24 | More by jlenik