Pumpkin Ale - O'Fallon Brewery

Lemke10

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours a clear, light copper color with only a slight head. There is a scent of pumpkin and spice but it is rather mild. The taste is rather simple as far as pumpkin beers go. There is a raw pumpkin flavor with a few pie and clove spices. This brew drinks fairly light and smooth. The after taste is a little metallic. There could be some improvement in the pumpkin and spice flavors though. Fairly average.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 04:49:30 | More by Lemke10

rosen551

Minnesota

2.93/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I actually found this decent, but I'm not really a big fan of pumpkin beers so I appreciated it being more mellow.

I served from a bottle into a regular pint glass. Appearance was coppery, maybe a little hazy. Light scent of pumpkin - taste is not overwhelmingly pumpkin, which I appreciated. This beer is definitely not as spicy as other pumpkin beers on the market.
Not too much carbonation - overall a decent choice if you're looking for a fall inspired drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 00:37:09 | More by rosen551

cdrogers

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from standard 12oz bottle. Was medium to medium dark copper in color with a slightly off-white head, but was a very small head. Seemed quite carbonated. Had a slight pumpkin smell but not much at all. The pumpkin didn't really come through in the taste. It was way too subtle and seemed watered down. Just an average or slightly below average pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:37:43 | More by cdrogers

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.98/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass.

The beer is a very murky, hazy dull orange. A creamy off-white head recedes to a breath of bubbles on top with thick creamy lacing that slowly fades away.

The beer smells really spicy with cinnamon and brown sugar coming to mind. Underneath the spices there's a good hearty aroma of pumpkin pie.

The beer tastes spicy and bright, almost tangy at first. Like the aroma, I get a lot of brown sugar and cinnamon that lingers on the palate. Nutmeg and clove are also in here.

A nice creamy mouthfeel with a bright carbonated finish.

Overall, about what I'd expect for a pumpkin beer. The aroma is really good, probably one of the best traits of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 14:24:17 | More by JuicesFlowing

superspak

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled 6/10/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, brown sugar, bread, and herbal. Damn nice aromas with good strength and balance; very authentic. Taste of pumpkin, biscuit, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, brown sugar, caramel, and herbal. Lingering notes of caramel, biscuit, spices, and brown sugar on the finish for a bit. Good robustness of flavor with decent balance; spices are not overdone at all. Minimal cloying sweet flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy and slick mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with almost zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a really good pumpkin ale. Taste did not live up to the aromas; but it was well balanced and very drinkable. Definitely enjoyed this, and it is a nice example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 03:49:20 | More by superspak

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

My first O'fallon beer thanks to Lukahn (Reddit).

Ug, screw the screw cap. Pours a light fizzy head that disappears almost instantly, hazy murky darker amber reddish orange color.

Nose some fermented gourd like, pumpkin, lots of cinnamon and sugar like it's already on the rim, candied pumpkin, hint of other pumpkin pie spices, hint caramel malt.

Taste similar, some pumpkin, candied pumpkin, again lots of cinnamon and sugar like it's rimmed on the glass, light brown sugar and caramel, hint of light malt, touch of a light hop with light bitterness. Finish is dry, a light pumpkin with cinnamon and sugar lingering, light pie spices.

Mouth is med bodied, lighter carb than it should.

Overall not bad, I didn't expect much, a bit flat and doesn't do a whole lot, too much cinnamon and sugar that overpowers almost everything else.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 21:30:10 | More by jlindros

AmitC

Indiana

2.4/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Hazy light brown color. Pumpkin flavor abound.

Least spicy of all the pumpkin ales i have had so far. Which makes it bland and to me tasteless.

I should not be slamming a beer. But this one is not something i would recommend to people with my kind of taste buds.

A few of the other folks though liked it may be because they found the beers with spices too strong for them.

More like a blunt lager with a bit of pumpkin. I don't know whether that is good or bad.

Very less carbonation. Easy to drink.

Note - Pumpkin Ales are not for me. And definitely not those that lack spices. So it is a bit negatively biased review.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:53:37 | More by AmitC

rfbenavi80

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle kept in fridge. Poured into a tulip.

A- Pours a nice and clear deep orange almost copper color with 2 fingers of white head that didn't linger ver long and does not leave much of any lacing on the glass.

S- Pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice etc. Some earthy/ herbal hops are in the mix, but as it warms the pumpkin and spices really come out.

T- Follows nose well. Nice mix of pumpkin and spices that reminds you of the holidays. The herbal, grassy flavors are on the finish, but the pumpkin spice flavors are the ones that linger. Could have more pumpkin flavor, but not bad.

M- Medium bodied. Medium amount of carbonation. Would like this one to feel more creamy.

O- Not too bad. This one is on the lighter side as far as Pumpkin Ales go, but it's still worth trying. Got to support Missouri Brewers!

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 03:46:37 | More by rfbenavi80

The_1084

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: deep orange/copper hues; 2 finger head with aggressive pour, but dissipates quickly; lots of visible activity

S: pleasant aroma of pumpkin spice and cloves that becomes more apparent as the beer warms

T: taste of pumpkin spice and cinnamon becomes very noticeable as the beer warms; like pumpkin pie in a glass

M: full-bodies, thick texture; moderate carbonation; dry, sticky finish

O: overall a great pumpkin ale; one of the best tasting I have had thus far

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 04:25:25 | More by The_1084

Megahertz

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle, 2012 vintage, into a Hoffman House chalice. Bottle dated August 24.

A - Medium orange red, slightly hazy. Initial large white head falls into a mere trace of foam. Carbonation appears brisk.

S - Very mild pumpkin spice aroma. Not as aggressive as many examples.

T - Mild caramel sweetness with a very light pumkin spice note. Finish is mildly sweet.

M - Medium to light body with medium to high carbonation.

O - On the lighter side of the style, but without major flaws. An easy drinking fall spice beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 18:18:00 | More by Megahertz

scarfield

Nebraska

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into tasting glass.

App- Pours a coppery gold color (perhaps a pumpkin color...) with minimal head. The head goes away quickly and there is no lacing. The beer is quite fizzy.

Smell- I get the sweet smell of pumpkin pie as well as a bit of an alcohol smell. Pie spices are there as well, particularly nutmeg.

Taste- The flavor profile mimics that of the smell. A strong pumpkin taste is accompanied by holiday spices. There is a lack of bitterness, but there is some tang on the end of the taste coming perhaps from the spices, or some acidity.

Mouthfeel- very light in the mouth, the beer seems to move over the tongue with ease, the bubbles cause it to feel lighter than it is

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 03:43:13 | More by scarfield

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange/gold with barely any head or lacing.

Actually smells like pumpkin! So rare for a pumpkin beer. A little bit of allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg as well.

Taste follows the nose. Just a subtle amount of spices with some good pumpkin flavor and a slight acidity.

Mouthfeel is fairly light with medium carbonation levels.

Nothing special about this, but very pleasant. I hate when a pumpkin beer is overspiced and this one is definitely subtle which I appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 01:19:29 | More by jmarsh123

AleWatcher

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Hmmmm. This is a bit of an odd one. I LIKE it, but it is weird...

Looks slightly hazy orangey gold color. Shiny soapy white head strews as three fingers and settled quickly to a shimmering film. Some small spots cling as lace, but nothing really noteworthy.

Smells like pumpkin. Some spices make their way in as well-- cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe some allspice. The flavor adds a really strange tartness that I really like, yet find to be almost like an unintentional flaw... Really dry, just the lightest malt base here, and it works perfectly...

The body is medium-light with a slick oily feel.

Overall-- this is the best tasting pumpkin beer I have had... The other ratable aspects need a little help, but this is certainly worth getting if you like pumpkin beers!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 20:27:23 | More by AleWatcher

antlerwrestler19

Nebraska

3.35/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The relatively vigorous pours yields a surprisingly clear darker golden color with a decent bubbly head that fades to a slim froth before disappearing into a ring around the top - not really what I expect a pumpkin beer to look like. The smell is pretty darn good - smells like pumpkins that have been caramelizing in the oven for an hour or so, not a huge spice to it but I get some clove and ginger. The taste is quite different, not really getting a ton of pumpkin but more like an applesauce flavor with cinnamon sugar on top (candy apple almost) - it's good but not what I look for in a pumpkin ale. The mouthfeel is light with a faint prickly carbonation. This was given to me as an extra, which I am always thankful for. The only complaint I have is that it doesn't really fit the pumpkin ale style for me as I'm not getting enough pumpkin in the flavor, still a tasty beer nonetheless.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 02:27:57 | More by antlerwrestler19

Mississipping

Mississippi

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly hazy orange/amber color with a small fizzy head that rises and falls very quickly to leave behind a fizzy island and a thin ring.  No lacing left behind on the edges of the glass.  

S: This smells great ... roasted pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, and some nutmeg.  Unlike some other pumpkin beers I've had this year, the aroma of this one is complex, yet balanced, with just the right amount of fall spices.

T: Starts out kind of bland with some fresh pumpkin and a slight earthiness.  The middle ground intensifies a little with some nutmeg and a but of fresh apples.  The finish come alive even more with cinnamon, nutmeg, and some clove.  The finish is really nice.  Again, not overly spicy, with a great pumpkin flavor (more fresh pumpkin than roasted).

M: I knew from the appearance that this had a ton of bubbles.  Highly carbonated that I thought would work at first, but really takes away from the beer.  This beer tries to be creamy on the front end, but it becomes prickly on the tongue due to the overwhelming carbonation.  Slightly drying at the finish as well. 

D: This is a great pumpkin beer.  I love a pumpkin beer that can balance the pumpkin and the spices, and this one balanced the two better than any other I've had this year.  If the mouthfeel was better (carbonation lower), this would be really drinkable.  Unfortunately, not the case.  That's ok, though, because this is the best one I've had this year to date.  Trying a good bit tomorrow though, so we'll see how it holds up.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 01:38:01 | More by Mississipping

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip pint: Cloudy, lightly burnt orange under a half-finger of head that drops to a collar & thin wisp. Decent color, but fairly generic-looking.

First whiff brings some vaguely potpourri-ish orange - eh. Then the spices start to gain some strength, bringing some nice cinnamon & a little vanilla - not bad. Then, all of a sudden, a full-on pumpkin pie smell emerges, with the spices, flesh, & crust - sweet! I like the slow reveal, & it ended up smelling pretty great, actually.

The pie character carries through into the taste, but without the crust & not as strong. Interestingly, there's a little sour cherry in the finish, which gives it a cool twist.

Mouthfeel's actually a little more active than I'd expect, with a spritzy carbonation & a little sharp tartness in the finish again.

Good stuff! I wasn't expecting a lot from this beer, but it delivered the goods. And while this is not a *rich* beer, I don't think I've found another one that so accurately captures the profile of actual pumpkin pie. And it's not over-saturating - I think I could put away a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 00:28:44 | More by OneDropSoup

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle purchased from Hyvee in Council Bluffs, IA.
Poured into a standard US pint glass.

Pours a 1.5cm, off-white head of medium-sized bubbles. This fades very quickly, leaving no residue or lacing. Body is a hazy orange color with burnt yellow highlights; active carbonation. Looks fairly average.

Aroma largely of a mulled cider with dominant spice of cinnamon. Not really any detectable malt or hop presence in the nose, fairly one-dimensional.

Taste is excessively sweet, very little balance. The reviewer that suggested a "pumpkin roll," with all that fake, sugary frosting/cheese nailed the taste of this one. Think highly sweetened pumpkin bread, with nods towards spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

Body is medium to medium-light with a carbonation level low enough to suit this. Finish semi-dry.

A fairly light, sweet pumpkin ale. I don't really appreciate this version of the style: there's not enough malt backbone and it's sweetness hits overkill.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 23:47:35 | More by falloutsnow

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

App- Lots of CO2 that builds to almost two fingers of a white, stable cap. The body is a dark marigold with straw highlights. Not really any thick lace.

Smell- The nose is kind of soft. There are some herbal scents on the spicy end of the spectrum. A little cinnamon and some sweet biscuit malt, maybe a little nutmeg.

Taste- The biscuit malt sweetness is dominant throughout the drink. The herbal spiciness is in the middle of the drink and hangs a little on the finish. Cinnamon and pumpkin are there. It is a better drink than what is in the smell.

Mouth feel- Medium bodied and only slightly fizzy. It gets much creamier when warming.

Overall- Obvious changes need to be made, like making the nose a better representation of the taste profiles.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 22:19:35 | More by Pintofbrown

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

No dating on the bottle. Pored into tapered DuPont glass...

A- Pours a slightly hazed orange color. Beautiful creamy, two finger head. Clings to the glass and slowly sinks down over a long period of time.

S- Sweet pumpkin heavy on the clove and allspice. Almost like a pumpkin roll (you know with cream cheese in the middle) more than a pumpkin pie. Awesome and enticing because it is a different take.

T/M- Again, this is more like a pumpkin bread than a pie. Spices are full flavor but not in your face or overpowering or too strong. Has almost a multi grain taste in the malt that really rounds it out. Finishes with a tiny bit of citrus fruit esters. Very very impressed with this. Body is light, refreshing, crisp, carbonated. Great feel to accommodate the taste profile.

O- This is a sleeper pumpkin beer, IMO. I love this style and have tracked down quite a few this season and this beer blew away my expectations the most this far because I want expecting much. Would come back to this again... Actually, I will pick up a 6pk my next drive through KY!

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 02:15:24 | More by TheGordianKnot

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear amber with a creamy white mousse that dies away within seconds. In the glass it looks like a pretty average ale.

S: Caramel, cream, and pumpkin scents are easily detected on the nose. As the beer warms and settles, gentle aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices become noticeable. You can tell from the scent that this was brewed with real pumpkin. I like it.

T: Opens sweet and malty with caramel, heavy cream, pumpkin, mineral, cinnamon, and nutmeg notes. There really isn't any hoppiness of which to speak. The finish is smooth and creamy with a pleasant interplay of caramel and pumpkin pie notes. Taste wise, I can see this ale appealing to fans of sweet, malty beers.

M: Medium-to-full bodied, firm, and dry. This is one of those beers that feels thicker and heavier than it is. Not the most drinkable ale on the face of the planet, but I feel that can be said of just about any pumpkin ale.

O: Not bad at all. Pumpkin ales tend to be an acquired taste, and in terms of quality, they are often hit or miss. This is one of the better and more readily available pumpkin ales on the market. I can't see myself drinking more than one at a time, but I definitely wouldn't turn it down, especially on a cool autumn day.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 18:05:37 | More by mrfrancis

mdvatab

Indiana

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 12oz bottle into imperial pint.

Aroma: Tart cinnamon, ginger, spiced cider, and cinnamon apple sauce. A very light, spicy profile. Minimal malt in the nose.

Appearance: Slightly-hazy, golden-orange. One finger off-white head disappears almost immediately. Leaves minimal lacing.

Flavor: Again, light, clean, and refreshing. The best way I can label this flavor is "Budweiser meets Pumpkin Ale". Core BMC drinkers might find this one to be just right. I find the flavor a bit toO faint. I was able to pick out the following: sweet, spiced apple cider, cinnamon, and a touch of amaretto.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation and a light body. Finish is very clean, with minimal flavors remaining.

Overall: Not a bad beer in and of itself, but also not what I'm looking for in a pumpkin ale. Too light in body (not enough malt), and not enough robust spiciness. This one would be interesting to trying side-by-side with Schlafly Pumpkin Ale. Probably quite a contrast.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 03:02:20 | More by mdvatab

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with no freshness date, but hey....it's October, I'm sure it's fresh. This years bottle sports a jack-o-lantern on the label.

This beer poured a hazy orange color with about a fingers worth of cream colored head. Head settled really quick to almost nothing at all. Not much lacing to speak of either.

Pretty mild aroma, but there's certainly nothing off-putting about it. Reminds me a bit of apple cider with a hint of pumpkin and spices.

Nice combination of malts and pumpkin up front. Just a touch of carbonation (probably could use a bit more) in the middle. Spices are mild but show themselves a bit in the finish. Smooth with just a touch of lingering flavor.

Thin to medium bodied with a low carbonation level.

A good and easy drinking Pumpkin Ale overall.

Morey's Bottom Line: This isn't a "must have" for me, but it's certainly drinkable and pretty enjoyable too. I would recommend this as an introduction into the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 18:57:21 | More by Morey

jmvecchio1

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

O'Fallon Pumpkin pours out a hazy bronze color with a head of fine bubbles which gives way quickly into fine carbonation bubbles around the edges of the glass. True to O'Fallon's design, this beer smells of rich pumpkin pie with very light hints of nutmeg and clove in the background. The beer's taste changes throughout the drink. As soon as the beer hits your tongue, you'll be greeted by sweet pumpkin and malt tastes. In the middle of that drink you'll feel a pop of the pumpkin spices, most notably the cinnamon. Then on the very end of the swallow, the beer rounds off nicely again with sweet malts and pumpkin. With only 11 IBUs of hop bitterness, don't expect this beer to be anything less than a malt and pumpkin show-piece. What's more, With a mouthfeel that is relatively light and an approachable 5.6% ABV, this is a great 'sessionable' pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 02:59:52 | More by jmvecchio1

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy orangish amber color with a one finger head which recedes to nothing with very little lace. The aroma is of pumpkins and nutmeg with a hint of cinnomon. The taste comes out with a nice pumpkin flavor with a hint of nutmeg and cinnomon. Not as complex as some of the others and not a big a flavor as others, but enjoyable. The mouthfeel was moderately carbonated but missing something. Overall the beer was solid, it wasn't best in class but a good pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 14:53:18 | More by goblue3509

climax

Missouri

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had to really force the head out of this beer, even then it didn't last too long. That aside, it pours a rightfully burnt orange pumpkiny color, quite cloudy.

The expected nutmeg, cinnamon, and pumpkin flavors were evenly matched by seemingly witbier notes of coriander, clove, and even ripe banana. It begins to take on that thanksgiving pie goodness as it sits and warms, the cinnamon starts to scream a little more.

The flavor has a definite sour character. It is certainly more green apple and sour mash than sweet malt and pumpkin. The auxiliary flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon are quite subdued.

The mouthfeel is borderline disappointing, it doesn't have the full creaminess of a nice mealy pumpkin pie. Maybe I should just get off my ass and make a pumpkin pie then. That being said, this is an ok pumpkin brew. It scratches my jack-o-lantern soup itch, but doesn't dig in and scrape it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 21:52:42 | More by climax