New Holland Ichabod Ale - New Holland Brewing Company

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.36/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

"Real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg enrich this amber brew. Pairings: roasted pultry, root vegetables, peanut sauce and caraway." Fall seasonal brewed in the style of a Pumpkin ale.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pint glass. Served north of 56º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a thick copper-white tone head of a frothy foam consistency. Light specked lacing. Body color is a very hazy copper orange with bits of fine sediment. Head retention is slightly above average. A pretty good appearance for the style. 3.75

(Smell) Aroma contains notes of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and raw pumpkin, just barely ripe. I don't commonly pick up on clove in pumpkin beers often so it is a pleasant additive in this beer and most easy to discern. Despite some mild malty sweetness, the raw pumpkin notes plus the spices make for a more bitter spiced and dry aroma overall. Potency is high. The aroma could use a bit more malty presence for balance in the aroma while maintaining the spice and pumpkin presence. 3.5

(Taste) The flavor is less substantial than the aroma predicted, with less malt and pumpkin sweetness and even more raw, dry character. Very light profile for a pumpkin ale. Raw pumpkin rinds followed through with a cinnamon, clove and mild brown sugar residual sweetness on the finish, but not enough to overcome the spice profile. Flavor profile is quite thin and lacking in both malt body and robust pumpkin meat as well. Naturally the cinnamon spices are well preserved and amongst the thin body seem the biggest players in the beer's flavor. A decent, dry finish is preserved from the spice profile and not overdone. This beer doesn't go overboard with spice and flavor, but also doesn't really meet standards with malt flavor either. What it lacks is unfortunately the most glaring aspect of the taste. 3

(Mouthfeel) Carbonation profile is mild with a slight creaminess, noteworthily pleasant for the style, as the spices aren't perceived as doubly intense. Semi-dry finish from a notable cinnamon stick note. Body is light/medium for the style, just below medium overall. Alcohol presence is low. Enjoyable mouthfeel, good to see it's not painfully spritely. 4.25

(Overall) This beer takes it easy, which is important for the easily overdone style. Unfortunately, the pumpkin character is either out of season or poorly integrated into this beer. A touch more sweetness would have also done a better job at balancing out the malt character of this beer and bringing up the body. It's not the most substantial pumpkin beer that I have had but on a good deal, it's worth trying with its high drinkability in mind. 3.5

New Holland Brewing Company's
New Holland Ichabod Ale
3.36/5.00

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 02:02:20 | More by Jadjunk

TheMatthi

3.8/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I am a fan of seasonal ales (specifically pumpkin's) and this definitely rates as one on my favorites. It has a very assertive yet balanced taste.

Poured a nice amber color; great pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon aromas; the taste was smooth, balanced and had a clean if slightly biting finish; overall a very nice seasonal beer - great for fall/winter.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 00:26:10 | More by TheMatthi

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.65/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a slightly hazy orangish-brown with a long lasting frothy white head and some good lacing down the side

S- cinnamon and nutmeg, pumpkin pie, floral, earthy, and minty

T-raw pumpkin with some nutty yeast, grainy malt, and a bit if cinnamon. A bit muted for my preference.

M- medium body with low carbonation, creamy and velvety mouthfeel and finish. Probably the creamiest pumpkin ale that I've had. I like it.

O- the look and mouthfeel of this one were great, I just wish the flavors would have been a little more pronounced.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:23:33 | More by Treyliff

kylehay2004

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: thin head on a cloudy copper body with nice lacing.

S: toasted malts, pumpkin, hint of caramel with brown sugar and nutmeg.

T: nice pumpkin, spices, yam and brown sugar flavors. typical pumpkin beer but better transition between flavors. not liking the aftertaste though.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation. the aftertaste is fairly oily and a little dry.

Overall: More well rounded and complex than others even for the style which is usually straight up pumpkin which comes across as too sour.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 03:49:37 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

3.88/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured with a small head of off white foam on top of a lightly hazy, copper colore body. The foam settles quickly and leaves decent lace on the glass.

S - A distinct, vegetal pumpkin note with all the standard spices and some caramel malt character in the background.

T - Allspice and clove up front with some nutty malt in the middle. Finishes with cinnamon, nutmeg, and toffee as well as a touch of hop character for balance.

M - Medium thick body, moderate carbonation, and a balanced finish.

D - Well done overall with a good balanced of spices and malt and a finish that is both dry enough to avoid becming cloying, but also malty enough to keep the spices from seeming harsh. This also has the odd distinction of being perhaps the only pumpkin beer that have had that smelled like raw pumpkin, which isn't as unpleasant as it sounds.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 03:49:18 | More by nickfl

nukem5

Pennsylvania

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

A: Pours a reddish color with a nice lacy cap of tan resting on top.

S: Aroma is of spice, mostly cinnamon, some ginger,Allspice in general...some malts with non-existent hop aroma.

T: Taste is of pumpkin pie like spices with a nice malty backbone and some lightly biting hops at the end.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good carbonation level. slight metallic taste at the back end.

O: Overall an excellent brew. love the brewers at NH They do awesome with ease.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 06:58:46 | More by nukem5

ummswimmin

New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured the beer into a snifter. I got a ton of foam from the initial pour. That died down with time.

Off the top I get a ton of pumpkin. I also get a decent dose of nutmeg. The smell is good, but there is a little bit of balance issues in the nose.

I don't understand the taste. The pumpkin is way off. I get a ton of spice and tobacco in my mouth. This flavor is confusing and pretty wrong. I don't get how this could be so far from the smell.

Overall this is disappointing. I usually like New Holland, but this one was not for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 02:10:43 | More by ummswimmin

BuxMontBeerLover

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle was purchased at The Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, VA during a recent beer haul.

Poured and sampled from a DFH Signature Glass

A - Beer pours a cloudy, hazy, semi-translucent golden orange color. A one finger head quickly fades to a skim. A small amount of lacing left after drinking.

S - A faint aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon.

T - A beer that has all the flavors of a standard pumpkin ale but just not enough of them. It has a a rather sour taste initially that is mixed with pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon but in my opinion it just falls flat compared to other pumpkin ales. It does go down easy and the ABV is not noticeable.

M - Thinnish consistency. Light carbonation.

O - I've had a lot of pumpkin ales and I guess I'm spoiled by that intense "pumpkin pie" flavor that I really enjoy. The aroma and taste pales in comparison to DFH Punkin Ale, Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin or BrewWorks Devious. This beer is just a middle of the road pumpkin ale, in my opinion. I'll look elsewhere for my pumpkin fix.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 02:32:47 | More by BuxMontBeerLover

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, bottled 7/26/2012. Pours very hazy orange copper color with a 1 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of pumpkin, bread, cinnamon, clove, caramel, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and herbal hops. Pretty nice aromas with good strength and decent balance. Taste of biscuit, caramel, toast, cinnamon, pumpkin, clove, ginger, nuttiness, and herbal hops. Lingering notes of caramel, toast, biscuit, nuttiness, spices, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Good balance of flavors with a good malt/spice balance; zero cloying flavors on the finish. Not too much pumpkin in the taste but it is noticeable; a slight vegetative note but it isn’t detrimental. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and slick mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a nice Pumpkin ale. Good balance of malt and spices; very smooth to drink. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 04:57:04 | More by superspak

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a Libby globe porter glass. Date stamp on bottom of bottle: 2229 71B06

Appearance: Translucent/hazy copper-amber. Definitely a bit of a pumpkin color. Thin white head died to nothing shortly after pouring but some persistent lacing noted after the foam died away. I would rate it higher if the foam had stuck around.

Smell: Strong nutmeg and cinnamon, reminds me a bit of Great Lakes Christmas Ale at first smell. Not detecting much else besides the spices though.

Taste: Heavy on the spices, but there is some pumpkin underneath it all. Malt is barely detectable. Strikes me more like a winter warmer than a pumpkin ale. Finish is hard to figure out. It's not quite bitter, it's not hoppy....I'm not sure what it is, but it isn't any of the spices or pumpkin. Although as it warms up I think it's a bit earthy and maybe...just maybe, cayenne pepper.

Mouthfeel: Spicy, but I think that's from the heavy dosing of cinnamon rather than fizzy carbonation, although there is plenty of carbonation here. Hard to tell what's underneath the spiciness.

Overall / Drinkability: On some levels this beer works well and on others it does not. Too much in the way of spicing. Yes, the Pumpkin comes out a bit, but the spices are so strong it comes out being more of a winter warmer in the end. Tasty, but not terribly "beery". Great color, nice aroma though. One seems to be enough though.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 22:27:53 | More by damndirtyape

chanokokoro

Illinois

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

12 oz. bottle poured into a Southern Tier Pumking goblet.

Pours clear amber topped with a cream-colored fluffy white head. Significant splotchy lacing along the sides of the glass. Very pleasant aroma of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, accents of caramel and of course, pumpkin. Opens with the aforementioned spice and pumpkin accents, slightly bready with toasted grain. Malty with light toffee midpalate, finishes lightly spicy, sweet but semi-dry. One of the better pumpkin ales available in the Midwest and very much a beer. Not overly spiced and sweet and there is enough here to please both those who usually are fans of pumpkin ales and those who are not.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:13:47 | More by chanokokoro

merc7186

New York

3.25/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass (does it matter which pint glass it is....really?)

A: Amber/Orangish Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head, Decent Lacing

S: Yams, Mild Cinnamon

T: Mild Yams, Mild Cinnamon

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Spicy, Semi Watery

Overall, too bad the taste didnt live up to the nose because that was drinkable...the taste wasnt.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 01:47:57 | More by merc7186

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear to just a touch hazy amber in color with some orange highlights and moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall off-white head that slowly reduces to a very thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon dominates but there are hints of nutmeg and allspice).

T: Strong flavors of cinnamon with moderate notes of pumpkin and light notes of nutmeg. Light notes of malt sweetness upfront and very light bitterness near the finish (which does not linger).

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: This beer is OK but unfortunately the pumpkin pie spices are a little out of balance - way too much cinnamon for the amounts of nutmeg and allspice.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 00:44:26 | More by dbrauneis

Infamous7100

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a rich amber to orange hue. A tad hazy with a finger width white head. No lacing to speak of.
S: semi muted, but the aroma does creep out a bit more as it warms and when agitated. Notes of cinnamon dominate the aroma, but naturally some pumpkin sneaks though as well. Spicy.
T: cinnamon and other pumpkin spices dominate the flavor from front to back. Starts with a huge amount of spice and some sweet malts. As the brew moves across the palette the pumpkin notes start to present themselves. Not a huge fan of the mix of flavors, seems a little out of balance.
M: light in body and medium in carbonation. Seems a bit too thin and a tad watery.
O: this is a decent pumpkin beer. I have had better, certainly, but worse as well. I just wish the flavors were balanced a bit better and a little more pronounced.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 20:03:11 | More by Infamous7100

metter98

New York

3.43/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: The beer is slightly hazy yellowish orange in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head that left a thin layer of bubbles completely covering the surface and the sides of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of pumpkin and pumpkin spices in the nose
T: The taste has flavors of cinnamon along with notes of pumpkin and nutmeg. The cinnamon really stands out in particular and lingers through the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Like some IPAs can be considered as a hop bomb, this beer seems like it's a cinnamon bomb and could use a better balance between the flavors of pumpkins and spices.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 01:30:12 | More by metter98

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

No freshness dating

A= Pours a dark amber color with a thin bubbly head that rises to a skin and falls somewhat slowly to a ring around the glass Solid lacing despite the lack of a head.

S= A little light but I get a nice pumpkin aroma with the right amount of spice in it. Cinnamon and nutmeg come through nicely.

T= The taste is very nice. A good mix of beer and spicey pumpkin flavor. Lots of good spice comes up front before being swallowed by a rich malty sweetness and a strong pumpkin finish. There is a bit of a hop profile that briefly makes an appearance as well.

M= A little too high on the carbonation.

O= This is a solid pumpkin beer. It deserves way better than it's rating that's for sure. A good drinkability as well as a nice flavor profile. Most pumpkin beers are either too light on flavor or too large in alcohol. This baby is just right.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 04:01:22 | More by jjanega08

MaximalC

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky caramel color with a minimal off-white head that soon disappears. It's nice to see a pumpkin ale that actually looks like pumpkin. Aroma is a pleasant blend of citric hops, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with none in excess. Crisp and invigorating, I might be perfectly content just smelling this beer instead of drinking it.

The flavor profile has a lot going on, but it's really well balanced, so much so that the flavor is more of a cohesive whole than the disparate collection of elements that one finds all too often. There is some of the citric hop flavor that was present in the nose, along with a decent dose of pumpkin and just enough of the pumpkin spices to lend some zip to the mouthfeel. The carbonation feels spot-on for the style as well. There isn't much progression in the taste, as all elements are present from start to finish, though the hops may linger just a shade longer than the rest. I typically am not a hop man myself, but it seems that in the midst of the pumpkin spices, a decent dose of hops is exactly what is called for to balance things out. If I had to identify a negative, there may be a slight metallic taste in the finish, but that really is nitpicking.

Overall, this a very well balanced and aromatic brew that embodies the season and is easy to drink. I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin ales, but this is surely one I would enjoy having again.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 01:22:18 | More by MaximalC

raznug

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber color and is topped with a ½” of off white colored head.
Smell: Pumpkin spice dominates the aroma of this beer there is a little malt aroma but most of it is masked by the spice notes.
Taste: The spice flavor doesn’t dominate the flavor but it blends well with the malt and makes for a very pumpkin beer.
Mouthfeel: This is a bit thin bodied but easy drinking and well blended beer which really makes me like it for a pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 18:20:04 | More by raznug

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a New Holland imperial pint.
5.32% ABV, 12.5°P, no date.

A - Spice particles float in suspension, hazing the rich golden amber beer. Ichabod's well-formed but flimsy head collapses rather quickly, leaving gnarled branches of lace eerily stuck to the glass.

S - A pleasant fresh spice and pumpkin aroma comes from this beer with assertion but without being overpowering; cinnamon is there but nutmeg is the bigger player. Amber maltiness follows through with a nice base of toast and sweetness for a balancing effect.

T - Ichabod's flavor mirrors the aroma as the spiciness is much more potent than the pumpkin but doesn't translate quite like the nose does. The toasted malt backing present with some Munich-like sweetness but on the thin side, letting the spices run wild over the pumpkin flavor. The pumpkin is there but seems like an afterthought in comparison to the heavy spices. A touch of earthy hops aids in the dry, crisp finish.

M - Ichabod is certainly a lighter bodied pumpkin ale lending itself towards early fall drinking rather than the later, cooler weeks when something with a little more heft is necessary. The upfront spiciness almost transports you to a Sleepy Hollow envrionment though. In fact, I might just have to sit down with the movie and a 6-pack... Ichabod finishes spicy and dry with mild bitterness and a mild crisp bite.

O - New Holland's Ichabod pumpkin ale does a great job of whisking the drinker away to a mental fall fantasy world similar to the likes of Sleepy Hollow but, here in the real world, the beer's malt backbone falls just slightly short of real involvement and balance. The spiciness throughout is great, but it's in need of a little more balance and body for the cool fall days. In the end, it's one of my favorite fall seasonals I wish I could just slightly tweak.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 22:49:22 | More by BeerFMAndy

JCB14

2.9/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Great head and even better head retention. The aroma was about average for this style, perhaps below average. For this style the hop bitterness was stronger than average, really a little too strong.

Overall it was about average to a little better than average for a pumpkin ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 15:28:43 | More by JCB14

Alextricity

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

It's hard for me to rate this one. Difficult for me to give it an accurate review for whatever reason... I can easily understand the 78/90 discrepancy on this site between us and the "Bros".

Appearance: Really looks nice. A mildly hazy orange color. The head's creamy, but doesn't last long. Regardless, the lacing is fantastic on this beer.

Smell: Just what you'd expect from a quality pumpkin ale. The pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Some malts as well, but the pumpkin pie aroma is most dominant.

Taste/feel: This is where it gets difficult to me. It's not exploding with flavor, but it's extremely drinkable in every way. There's essentially no bitterness. The pumpkin and spice is there, but not overwhelmingly. The feel puts all of this together. Velvety smooth with a pretty low carbonation. It's as if I want more flavor, but at the same time, I don't. Tough call.

A fantastic pumpkin ale right here. Ichabod gets it right. If you want a sessionable pumpkin beer, you've got it.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 01:25:46 | More by Alextricity

palma

New York

4.25/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Aroma: cinnamon, big nutmeg.

Taste. Raw pumkin. Sweet upfront. A little soapy bitterness. A good soapyness though. I dont know but i like it. Piney hop oil. Finishes very good. Lingering malt, oily. Lingering light pepper notes. Very complex for a pumkin ale. I love the finish of this beer. Dispite the complexity and sweetness, it still says BEER at the end.

Thick chewy mouthfeel. Slick. Good feel.

This is a great pumkin ale. Of of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 17:22:36 | More by palma

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a stiff thick single finger head with a nice orange coloring. This ale had almost no scent and even asked others to help me but no one could. The taste is rather interesting as you can detect the nutmeg and spice but it had a real earthy taste, almost gourdish. This makes sense as it is supposed to be brewed with actual pumpkin. I enjoyed this rather unique take on a pumpkin ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 02:25:40 | More by KYGunner

oldirtycaffrey

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another October rolls around, and another opportunity to try out a new pumpkin ale. First time trying New Holland Ichabod Ale and was impressed. Pours a dark orange with a foamy, inch, off-white head that is pretty much gone after a few minutes. The smell of this beer is really something -- pumpkin spice, sweet cinnamon, nutmeg all contained wrapped around a subtle smokiness. Considering the strength of the smell, the taste is very balanced. Very easy to drink. Cinnamon and pumpkin spice are probably the most notable features, but there's also a subtle mint taste towards the end. A complex brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 19:40:10 | More by oldirtycaffrey

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a coppery amber with a single finger of cream colored head that lasts for about a minute, fairly decent lacing left behind on the glass. Medium-light carbonation levels and body.

Smells of fresh pumpkin puree with a side of cinnamon/nutmeg/mint spicing and a touch of butternut squash aroma. Very savory nose, there is hardly any sweet malt aroma at all! Flavor starts out as a dusty cinnamon spice that transforms into a good solid toasted bread malt and savory pumpkin flesh combo that works well without overpowering my palate on spicing like many pumpkin ales tend to do. This one is worth trying out for a "drier approach" to the pumpkin ale concept.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:46:11 | More by WastingFreetime