Pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Company

malty

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber that's been hiding in the back of my garage beer fridge since last November. Since it's snowing/raining/blowing outside, and I've got a fire roaring in the fireplace, seems like a great time to enjoy this.

Poured into my Duvel glass a beautiful full orange color with the slightest chill haze. The white, full, fluffy head settles to 3/4" with lots of craggy ringed remnants 2" above it. Sparse, slow rising fine carbonation lets me know this is a heavier, meatier ale.

The smell on this gem is heavenly. I swear this smells EXACTLY like my mother-in-law's homemade pumpkin pie. FRESH, FRESH , FRESH notes of everything that makes pumpkin pie wonderful. All the way down to the masterful nuances of nutmeg and the actual scratch-made buttered, flakey crust. Allspice, cinnamon and roasted pumpkin scents are very organic, balanced and perfectly showcased in the nose. Honestly, I cannot ever remember smelling a better pumpkin beer. Ever.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This luscious bombshell really bangs it home. There is a surprisingly dry/spicy attack at the onset of the flavor. It's got an almost gingery taste, put it's got to be a healthy hop bill. Nonetheless, the ginger element fits in nicely with all the aforemention scents that translate perfectly into their actual 'flavors'. This is one beautifully balanced, yet burly, boisterous and superbly accurate tasting pumpkin ales I've had the pleasure of tasting.

Mouthfeel is a bit syrupy, but that's to expected being 9% ABV. The carbonation is very fine and perfectly placed; not too much, but enough to keep the flavors bouncing and dancing. The finish is full flavored and a bit spicy/dry.

Overall an absolutely stunning rendition of a fall favorite. While a lot of examples of this style come off contrived/fake tasting, this one rings true and as natural as can be. You can actually taste a heavy whipped cream dollop on the top and the flakey buttery crust too. Just perfect!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 20:35:59 | More by malty

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