Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat - Anheuser-Busch

TheSixthRing

California

2.68/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Pours a cloudy, burnt orange with an off-white, finger width head> Poor retention. The resulting lace is thin, spotty and with little stick.

Smell - Aroma is of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg spice.

Taste - Faint notes of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, and it only gets weaker as it approaches the finish. Watery. Nothing else, except an odd, faint, lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Light, watery body. Very little carbonation. Blah.

Overall - Pumpkin ales don't get much worse than this, and it's a shame. The pumpkin to spice ratio felt right, but the watered down body tarnished anything that might have been.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 22:09:07 | More by TheSixthRing

mdfb79

New York

3.48/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 10/27/12 notes. On tap in a pint glass at some random bar in Philly.

a - Pours a medium, murky orange brown color with one inch of off white head and high carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bready malts, spices, pepper, and light gingerbread. Not a bad nose at all, but very light. Pretty average.

t - Tastes of spices, pumpkin, gingerbread, pepper, bready malts, yeast, grains, and wheat. Much better than the nose, with some nice pumpkin to it.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink beer.

o - Overall a decent pumkin beer, though nothing mind blowing. The nose is a bit weak and bland, but the taste was good and it was better than I expected. Not my favorite pumpkin beer but worth checking out if you love the style and see it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 17:09:14 | More by mdfb79

isualum12

Idaho

3.83/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. I can’t handle to much pumpkin but I do enjoy a little pumpkin in beer during the festive fall. aroma- has a nutty pumpkin smell to it. appearance- looks nice with a decent head taste- Pumpkin with wheat just as you would guess. palate- good co2 on it with the ability to drink a couple...not a few though.... Overall I would reach for another one down the road...

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 23:55:10 | More by isualum12

ehammond1

California

3.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for the gift, Alucard4!

Clear orange and amber without much of a head to speak of. This leaves thin ribbons of off-white bubble lace down the glass.

The aroma is actually quite nice, with good amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and mild pumpkin character. Some bread and caramel as well.

The flavor falls of significantly from the aroma, however. There simply isn't a lot here except some very mild spice and plain wheat bread. There's a touch of a metallic note as well.

Thin to moderate in body with medium carbonation.

Better than anticipated, but I anticipated it to the awful.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:14:12 | More by ehammond1

Vashtar

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It has an orange, pumpkin flavored appearance. It pours a large head but has no lacing and little head retention.

It smells like pumpkin and spice, but not quite as Chai as many do.

It starts out as one of the best pumpkin beers that I've ever had. The finish is a bit cheap and bitter. It is very drinkable, though.

The mouthfeel is very basic with a slight fizzle. It has a nice thickness, though.

Aside from the aftertaste, it is one of the better pumpkin beers out there. There's a glimmer of WOW but it quickly fades. If they could continue that flash of brilliance throughout the whole beer's taste, it would be a contender for the best pumpkin ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 04:25:49 | More by Vashtar

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.15/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Nose is mild pumpkin spice and a decent shock of wheat...pun intended. Sweet and mild, mostly spices and a little gourd. So-so on the aroma, but still the best of the ST family.

Taste has a light pie spice aspect and the base wheat beer is...I dont want to go so far as to say complimented...but fits well enough with the pie spices. I dare say this is the least offensive by far of the Shock top family...it is the awkward brother in law that is guilty by association. I actually think this is fairly decent...well, at least I think I could tackle another bottle sometime.

Not bad...I am actually somewhat impressed considering my lower than low expectations.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 01:56:48 | More by twiggamortis420

Phxsunsfan

2.83/5  rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Its an ok Pumpkin/halloween/beer not one of the best pumpkin beers i have had its just ok.

Appearance- Orangey Redish brownish color white head on it.

Smell- You can smell the nice pumpkin spicies and wheat smells.

Taste/overall- Tasty pumpkin spice flavors not to strong. to much carbonation. Nice beer to drink around october and halloween or if you want to drink a pumpkin beer better then the blue moon pumpkin beer i think id try it again next october

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 02:07:32 | More by Phxsunsfan

mckenziac

2.63/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams Boston Lager glass.

Appearance: Pours a hazy orange-brown color. Has a small, foamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing.

Smell: Smells strongly of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.). Smells like most other pumpkin beers.

Taste: Starts off with a strong pumpkin flavor with some mild hoppiness. Finishes spicy, wheaty, and slightly yeasty. The whole thing tastes a tad artificial.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and slightly over-carbonated.

Overall: A pretty bland pumpkin ale, but what do you really expect from the Shock Top brand? I guess it's good to see that they're expanding their range, but this really isn't anything special.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 19:55:38 | More by mckenziac

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Typically looking pumpkin beer with an orange cloudy hazy amber hue.

Aroma was more mild in strength, spice, and even pumpkin than most pumpkin beers though the pumpkin was there and that was nice.

The beer did taste of real pumpkin in the beer with lesser spiciness though the pumpkin was not over whelming. The texture was a little watery or wet with some carbonation. I generally prefer lower carbonation, but pumpkin beer demands a little higher pumpkin to bring on the refreshing richness that I think makes pumpkin brews so nice.

This is a nice pumpkin beer. I recommend it with a little hesitation. I hope you like it. I don't think it will shock you, but you may have have a pleasant time drinking this beer. This beer is really meant to drank to some mellow rock from the 70s. You know Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, or "Hello It's Me" by Todd Rundgren.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 07:19:02 | More by frankiepop

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 5.20 %

LOOK: Pours a pale orange/gold color.

SMELL: Aroma of spices and wheat. Cinnamon, nutmeg and clove come to mind.

TASTE: In the flavor, more spice, with wheat and a note of pumpkin. Malt sweetness is there to provide just enough body to carry the pumpkin spice. A hint of bread, raw wheat and lemon peel round out the flavor profile. Body is light bodied, decently carbonated, but alittle watery.

Overall, this is an OK to below average pumpkin ale, but from anheuser-busch, surprisingly decent.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 19:01:22 | More by Stinkypuss

Dave128

Kentucky

3.48/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a duvel tulip.

A - A pretty rigorous pour yields almost no head. The color is cloudy orange. Lacing is minimal. There appears to be "floaties" which i would assume are somethng to do with the pumpkin flavor

S - Smells wheaty and only slightly spicy

T - Much better than the average shock top. Very biscuity up front with only a mild pumpkin spice on the finish.

M - Decently carbonated but a little too light bodied.

O - I wouldn't recommend it as a pumpkin ale, but its definitely a nice fall brew

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 00:02:12 | More by Dave128

jwc215

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours hazed orange-ish amber with a thick, creamy off-white head that soon descends to a lasting thin cover. Some trailing lace sticks.

The smell is of mild pumpkin spicing with a slight banana/clove and a hint of wheat tang. Very mild.

The taste is also mild, wet bread, water, mild pumpkin spicing, more water and a hint of vanishing sweetness (maybe some banana?)

The feel is on the weak side, but has a certain smoothness to it and doesn't completely fall apart.

A mediocre brew here. Some wheat character, some pumpkin character and mainly washed out after the finish. Personally, I don't care much for overdone spicing, but everything about this is rather weak. Not "offensive", just weak.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 21:49:21 | More by jwc215

jbierling

Michigan

4/5  rDev +28.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I sampled this beer along with two other similar choices (Sierra Nevada Tumbler and Dundee Oktoberfest) and I was pleasantly surprised. It was pumpkin in color and and hit a slight sweetness to it. It beat my average expectations. I didn't expect much and I got more.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 16:03:11 | More by jbierling

circus_cat

Virginia

2.68/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I hate drinking macrobrews almost as much as I hate reviewing them...especially the macrobrews that pretend to be craft beers...but someone left this gem in my fridge after a little get-together last weekend. So here goes.

A: I wish BA would put appearance on a lower scale or something. I have to give this a decent score on appearance which will inflate it beyond what it should be, final score-wise. Oh well. It's a decent looking pumpkin beer. Deep amber with small, soapy head, leaving no lacing.

S: Hmm. Strange. I get banana up front (maybe because it's a wheat..maybe). I also get fake pumpkin flavoring, cloves, and other Thanksgiving spices.

T: You get the fake pumpkin and spices again on the front end, but after that it's pretty much that taste you get after playing drinking games with Natural [insert ice, light, etc] in college.

M: A little too carbonated and light bodied.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 17:02:30 | More by circus_cat

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada imperial pint.
5.23% ABV, 12 181 on neck label.

A - In classic wheat style, this pours relatively hazy, clouding the deep amber-orange beer which is topped by a moderately maintained off-white foam. A thin skim of bubbles remains below some patchy lacing.

S - Pumpkin puree rests gently behind the plethora of spice throughout the aroma. All the usual suspects are here; clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice; any resemblance to the original Shock Top has been avoided - this smells like pure pumpkin ale here. There are no trace notes of Belgian influence with minimal wheat, leaving a grainy pale malt base.

T - Soft wheat is barely noticeable around the rough edges of grainy pale malt. Abounding spice is prevalent through the duration of this seasonal while pumpkin is a bit more low-key. Some mildly sweet caramel malt accents add a nice touch of authenticity in the end, keeping it from an adjunct-like brew.

M - Light-bodied, there's just enough malt in here to support the spice and pumpkin profile which works well with the higher carbonation Shock Top drinkers are used to. Wheat in the brew aids in making the feel smoother but, Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat thins out on the finish leaving little spice or anything to remember it by other than a touch of dryness.

O - This pumpkin is surprisingly better than anticipated, especially with the underwhelming track record of Shock Top seasonals, but this pumpkin wheat is moderately flavorful, balanced, and drinkable; everything one might expect while maintaining a profile that wont offend their customer base. A good training wheel pumpkin for example; however, it certainly won't satisfy the desires of anyone really craving a rich pumpkin brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 22:46:54 | More by BeerFMAndy

ralph426

Pennsylvania

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

A growler from The House Of 1000 Beers. I wanted a pumpkin and I was too cheap to go for the good stuff.

Appearance is fine, a decent 1/4 inch head followed by moderate lacing.

Smell is promising, but weak. I don't notice as much spice as I expect.

Taste is a little weak. There 's just enough pumpkin ale type flavor to assure me that I'm not drinking a Budweiser.

All in all, I could probably drink quite a few of these in a session.

Serving type: growler

09-15-2012 20:37:03 | More by ralph426

roryw

Kentucky

3.13/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a decent pumpkin beer, although I've yet to have an awful pumpkin beer in the last few years so maybe my bearings aren't right. It's cheap at my local Kroger so I thought it was worth trying and I'm glad I did.

A - 4.5 - Really impressed with the appearance. Nice creamy looking head, lingers for a bit. Nice orange hue which is what I would expect from this. Slight lacing on the glass.

S - 2.5 - Nothing to write home about here. Smells like an average shock top (go figure). No pumpkin or spices in the smell for me at all...

T - 3.0 - Not a whole lot of spice or pumpkin. I'm having to really focus on what I'm drinking to get either of those flavors to come through. It's more of an afterthought here which is weird. It tastes like a decently sweet wheat beer, with pumpkin spice hints in the background. Not really what I was wanting. I was hoping it would be similar to Jack's Pumpkin Spice, which I really enjoyed. I still like this beer though, much more than the similarly priced blue moon pumpkin ale which is also easy to find.

M - Average, light mouthfeel.

O - It's very drinkable, but not a beer I would seek out when wanting a really enjoyable pumpkin beer. For me this is a run of the mill wheat beer with slight pumpkin hints. I really wanted the pumpkin and especially the spice to hit my mouth a lot harder. I'll most likely buy it again though because it's cheap, easy to find and a pretty easy drink to enjoy with some friends or with a meal. There are much beer pumpkin beers out there, but this isn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 05:39:33 | More by roryw

BOSMECH

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A It looks very good when poured 1 to 2 inch head and a copper pumpkin color.

S It has no pumpkin smell to it at all just a light ale smell.

T It taste just like a light ale with no spice or pumpkin taste.

M just average mouthful flaver ale goes down smooth though.

O I would by Shipyard pumpkin ale for the seasonal pumpkins it is much better.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 15:50:53 | More by BOSMECH

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: 1 inch head, orange-brown in color, cloudy, medium carbonation

Smell: pumpkin spice

Taste: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, caramel, a touch of wheat or grain, and pumpkin spice

Mouthfeel: sweet, high carbonation, light bodied

Overall: Better than I expected. A sessionable, wheaty, and solid pumpkin beer. I could have a six on a fall day. Nothing outstanding, and there are better pumpkin beers out there, but nothing to pass up either.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 13:10:50 | More by tigg924

ShiftBeer

2.58/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Why do people buy this crap?

The nose ain't bad. Some genuine pumpkin scents.

The palate is all wrong though. Light, grainy and sort of crisp but in an awkward way. Some spices, not a ton.

The finish is the worst part. It is long, but the taste is bad, so ya just sit there wishing the flavor would go away. It has a very bad light beer aftertaste. Boo.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 07:59:49 | More by ShiftBeer

iBeer16

New York

2.43/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A-pours a clearly over carbonated orangey haze with a thin 1 finger translucent head, that leaves quickly and leaves little to no lace
S- very weak nose, slight slight pumpkin and all spice but you have to look for it.
T- carbonation, tand, slight pumpkin flavor, but again has to be found
M- way too carbonated, tingly, tangy
O-....

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 21:38:01 | More by iBeer16

MWAllred

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +40.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love wheat beer, all kinds of it but this pumpkin spice is a very good product. Although Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale was better this has not been a complete disappointment. I have tried several pumpkin beers & ales & there are some very good ones out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 13:36:44 | More by MWAllred

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.85/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a vary hazy orange color amber color with a big billowy orange tinted head. The head fades pretty fast to leave a light foam and a very light level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is heavy of wheat with nice notes of pumpkin and some orange citrus. These are mixed with a cinnamon and nutmeg aroma that give it overall a very pleasant aroma.

Taste – The taste begins of wheat and pumpkin with some lighter sweetness. Soon spice flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg come into the taste. These meld well with the pumpkin flavors well and with an increase in a brown sugar taste make it more pumpkin pie like. This sweeter flavor persists to the end where a citrus flavor mixes with the others to leave a pleasing taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer average with a medium level of carbonation, giving the beer good drinkability.

Overall – A tasty pumpkin beer with a easy drinking sweetness and spiced pumpkin flavor. While not the top pumpkin brew out there it is one of the best for its price and one to go to on occasion.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 01:11:42 | More by Darkmagus82

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours from a 12oz glass into a pint glass a very clear, for a wheat beer, amber with deep hues of orange and cinnamon. Topped with a substantial white head that is quite frothy and rocky and dense. Looks nice. Head is about two fingers thick.

Aroma is wheaty. Wheat malt with what seems like some corriander. Pumpkin aromas are somewhat subdued but there is definitely some clove and allspice aromas. Smells like a pumpkin wheat should smell like. Not really pumpkin pie but a nice mix of wheat and pumpkin.

Very nice flavor also. Perhaps a little thin on the body, but wheat beers can run the gamete when we Are discussing mouthfeel characteristics. Pumpkin flavors are certainly noticeable and are actually working well with the style of beer. Clove and cinnamon are the main contributing factors in the taste. 

Solid beer overall. I am not sure there can be better balance of pumpkin and wheat in a beer. Easy drinker. This will be a nice beer for those hot autumn afternoons here in Florida.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 20:28:37 | More by SaCkErZ9

yorlummass

4.35/5  rDev +39.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the more enjoyable pumpkin beers I have had the chance to try. It does not immediately overwhelm the senses with the powerful aroma or taste of what it is going for, yet still retains the feeling as if October is getting closer with every sip.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 10:29:53 | More by yorlummass