Pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Mike and Jason for bringing. Above average pumkin beer, orange with soapy head, and noteable lacing. Significant carbonation behind nutmeg,allspice,vanilla, maybe some cinammon. Creamy carmel. hops kick in at the end. An aroma experience. 9% not perceived.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2007 04:40:05 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Blazing bonfire orange with candlelit jack-o-lantern edges. The head looks like a large dollop of whipped cream atop the beer, except it isn't that bright white. How about whipped cream to which brown sugar and orange peel have been added? Mmm, sounds good. Looks good too. An acceptable amount of tattered lace helps the cause.

I tend to like the noses on well-brewed pumpkin ales, but this one is simply amazing and might be the best one ever! The usual aromas of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices are present and accounted for. The thing that makes Pumking sing, though, is an eggnog-like vanilla custard creaminess that makes it smell *exactly* like pie slathered in whipped cream. Fantastic.

Although the flavor is a carbon copy of the nose, it doesn't hit me the same way. I'd like to see the vanilla complement the other flavors rather than overwhelm and dominate them. The label doesn't list vanilla as an ingredient, but it has to be in there. What I'm tasting isn't coming from malt, hops, yeast, pumpkin or the traditional spices.

The flavor of the caramel malt is buried pretty deeply beneath layer upon layer of gourd and spice (major nutmeg with a sprinkling of cinnamon). I wouldn't mind so much, except that a bolder maltiness might have rounded things out. Sweetness and hop bitterness are evenly matched. It sounds like I don't like Pumking. That isn't it, it's just that it isn't as jaw-droppingly wonderful as expected. Southern Tier is a great brewery, so the bar is set pretty high.

For such a high-ABV ale, the body/mouthfeel is on the light-medium side. I hate to say it, but it ventures close to thin on the finish. Carbonation this laid back would have worked in a bigger beer. It doesn't work as well here.

Southern Tier Pumking isn't the best Imperial pumpkin ale that I've ever had (Elysian Night Owl), nor is it the best all-around pumpkin ale that I've ever had (Smuttynose). Still, it's a more than worthy seasonal that lovers of the style owe it themselves to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2007 22:35:18 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this one up finally thanks to a very generous BA who sent me down a couple of them. I had been waiting forever to try this one, and missed out on it last year. Served cold, right out of the fridge per instructions. It was served in an oversized wine glass and consumed on 09/22/2008.

The pour was simply stunning. A very rich and very hazy looking orange liquid came gurgling out of the bottle, hitting the glass with decent enough force to throw up a nice two inch layer of off white head. Nice retention kept this one hanging around for a good long while before finally settling down into a thin layer of white across the top that stayed until the very end and left behind a very nice layer of side glass lace.

The aroma was about as rich as you can get. This was the most decadent, dessert like beer that I have ever run across. This smelled more like a pumpkin pie then my grandma's ! Super sweet with lots of gingerbread, and sweet cookie goodness. This was about as good as it gets. Translated over as perfectly as you could have imagined into the flavor. Huge notes of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, gingerbread, everything you could imagine. This was just colossal with no hint at all of any abv. Rich and decadent in the taste and well as the feel,. The only drawback was this was soo rich with sugar it was hard to drink too much of it as it became a little bit tough after a bit. Aside from that this was about as good as it gets.

Overall, wow. I have never tasted anything like this it was just tremendous. This was the most perfect fall dessert I could think of. Rich, sweet, decadent. This was better then I ever imagined it would be. Overall I was floored and would have to recommend this to anyone!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 10:31:53 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to mikesgroove for sending one of these my way.

A: Pumking pours an opaque amber color with plenty of copper and orange highlights. A fluffy white head sits atop the beer.

S: It smells like pumpkin pie in a glass. A great sweetness and all of the usual pumpkin pie spices such as cinnaomon, nutmeg, and all spice. A bit of a graham cracker and marshmallow aroma are present as well.

T: Much like the nose would let on. A soft pumpkin flavor and a lot of the sweet and spicy characteristics of pumpkin pie. The marshmallow that was present in the nose is much more pronounced on the palate. There's a bit of a "pie crust" taste on this too.

M: The carbonation is fairly light and this is to the benefit of the beer, I feel. It is very smooth on the tongue and quite full bodied.

D: A great flavor and aroma, but like actual pumpkin pie, I'm not sure how much of this I could actually drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2009 20:36:30 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a somewhat murky orange-brown with a decent light tan head.

S: definitely a pumpkin beer! Rather than going overboard with spices on top of.a boring base like most "pumpkin" beers out there, this truly smells like a freshly-baked pumpkin pie, weaving together the spices. At the same time, far too much sweetness.

T: liquid pumpkin pie. Very sweet with a familiar pumpkin puree taste alongside the usual spice suspects and a hint of vanilla. Good spice pattern, but the sweetness is over the top and borderline cloying.

M: medium body with a very creamy texture. The sweetness gets to be far too cloying.

D: similar fate as the mouthfeel. For me, just like with actual pumpkin pie, only with an extra pound of sugar mixed in.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 11:11:45 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to mjtiernan for sending me this one!

Pours a clear light copper orange with a 1 inch fizzy orange-white head that fades to an oily film on the top of the beer. No lacing on this one on the drink down. Kind of a disappointing appearance. Smell is very complex with caramel malt, biscuits, actual pumpkin puree, and a wide array of pumpkin pie spices - cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. Taste is of malt/bread/biscuit/crust, unsweetened pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and the aforementioned spices. There is a slight spice bitterness that sticks the the tongue after each sip. This beer has a higher level of carbonation with a crisp and dry finish. Overall, this is a good pumpkin ale that is somewhat different that I was expecting. I was thinking that this could be a creamy, sweet pumpkin milkshake of a beer but I like this one as it is.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 03:15:29 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours an almost clear honey color with a modest, but frothy head that leaves a reasonable splashing of lace

Smell: Pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and sweetened cornbread

Taste: Opens with a rich pumpkin and spice flavor, which becomes increasingly spicey by mid-palate; after the swallow, the cornbread flavor builds, sweet and buttery; the finish has some alcohol on it

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation; some warmth on the swallow

Drinkability: A big, flavorful pumpkin brew; among the best if not the very best

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2007 04:11:57 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.55/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pours out a clearish, deep orange body with a tall-standing, frothy, white head.

Smell: All rights, friends, so, it smells greatly of oven-fresh pumpkin pie. Who's with me? Who the HAPPY HALLOWEEN is with me?

Taste: Sweet caramel malts plunged deep into fresh pumpkin puree and liberally coated in a pumpkin pie spice blend and smoothed over with a touch of vanilla creme. I'm sure it's been said dozens of times over, but it's rather pumpkin pie-like, with the malts even mimicking a flavor of rich, crisp graham cracker crust garnished with candy corn. Subtle hop presence and bitterness. Drying finish with a lingering spiced pumpkin taste and some slight alcohol warmth.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Excellent for a pumpkin ale! Look, whoever is giving you advice like, "don't bother with Pumking" is no friend of yours. Take your vengeful fists and clock that mofo in the mouth and spit on their prone, beaten body, because they aren't helping you at all. Oh, and Happy Halloween!!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2009 04:17:54 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.78/5  rDev -32%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle courtesy of Hogtownharry: Poured a deep clear orangey color ale with a medium size foamy head with OK retention but no lacing. Aroma of cinnamon with loads of pumpkin. Taste is also dominated by loads of pumpkin and some cinnamon and light cloves. Body has a nice creamy texture with some average carbonation. I was really enthralled by this beer; I thought there were too much pumpkin purée and not enough spices. I guess I am more of a spices kind of guy then a pumpkin.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 16:21:53 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

***Guilty pleasures review coming right up***
Admitidly, I generally celebrate beers of experimental quality, but disguard those that seem more of a gimmic than quality. Pumpkin beers usually fall in this catagory for me, but beers like this one are quickly changing my perception of what Pumpkin Ales can be... or already are.

Pumpking is truely amazing with its bright copper (acturally orange) color, brilliant clarity and lively efforvescence. A creamy head carries a dainty structure yet retains with a sheet across the glass. Low on lace, the beer celebrates the oils and starch that encompass pumpkin beers.

From the onset, the beer demonstrates a sturdy backbone of amber (bread crusty) malts and large caramel sweetness. Freshly baked toast, roasted pumpkin, and graham crackers come to mind. A sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, almond, and hazelnut do just enough to emphasize the pumpkin quality in complementary fashion. A buttery praline-like sweetness is just the pillow that the savory crust notes deserve.

The body is firm, rich, and non-waivering. Creamy, bready and with a robust spicy sweetness that I would not have expected from a beer this drinkable. The return of graham cracker dryness and aftertaste is all I need to keep comming back.

This beer is a gem, comming from a guy who has drank a ton of Pumpkin Ales and haven't enjoyed many.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2009 04:33:46 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

9% ABV per label.I like the concept of the Imperial pumpkin ale but in the end it just didnt seem to hit home with me,poured into an impy pint glass a clear deep copper with some dark orange tint a thinner wispy head atop.Full on spice and alcohol in the aroma maybe even a bit much in the spice department,heavy cardamom and clove with a dose of vanilla bourbon it becomes a bit boozy after it warms a little.Spice and booze overpower the palate in my mind very spiced like the nose cardamom and clove with a lingering cinnamon that bourbon vanilla booze hits and hits hard making a bit tough to swallow after awhile for me some dryer toastiness tries to show thru but it faint.I think a little over the top for me I still like the concept but this was just to much for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2007 21:45:01 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What is it about pumpkin pie that we like? Is it the spice? Well yes, undoubtedly, but there's more than that. There's the sweetness. But in addition to the sweetness, there's a thin edge of acidity that we like. It's that edge of burnt sugar, and that blackened edge of crust... it cuts through the sweetness. And guess what? Yeah, you got it, Pumking has it.

It tastes very much like pumpkin pie. Intended or not.

I get mainly all-spice and nutmeg in the nose, but there's some cinnamon too. And if you go beyond that, yes, there's some very nice caramelish malt.

Oh, and it looks good too - hazy-orange amber and all of that. Nice head. OK. It's pumpkin beer, who cares?

The flavor combines the all-spice/nutmeg with the caramelish malt sweetness to give an almost nutty flavor that's OH SO LIKE pumpkin pie! Or is that a bit of butteriness? It reminds me of the crust as well. Thankfully, the cinnamon isn't over-done.

It's mildly bitter, and the spicing helps to balance it. What sweetness there is, is welcome - and it never appears sweet. Nor does it finish overly spicy. There's just enough, and then it all dissipates in the finish.

In conclusion, this is one of the finest - if not the best - pumpkin beer that I've ever had. And I base that on two things: one, it's more than just a spiced beer, it actually tastes like pumpkin, and secondly, it's not overly spiced. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2009 02:59:37 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a mug.

Thanks to VDubb86 for splitting this bottle!

How'd that pumpkin become king? I didn't vote for him... The brew pours a hazy orange amber topped by a finger of white foam. The nose is a panoply of brewing and baking scents: cinnamon, brown sugar, clove, pumpkin pie filling, nutmeg, pumpkin seeds, and Golden Grahams. Damn, this be smellin' good! The taste veers off this course a bit, holding notes of orange peel, brown sugar, pumpkin shell, potato skin, rye bread, and sour cream. It may not conform to the smell's template, but it really ain't too bad, either. The body is a light medium, with a moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, this is a solid punkin brew, one of the better I've yet had.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 01:34:00 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is cloudy amber-orange in color and poured with a finger high white head that quickly settled into a thin layer of bubbles consistently covering the surface. A medium to high amount of carbonation is visible.
S: There are inviting aromas of sweet pumpkin pie in the nose, which almost makes this beer smell like a dessert.
T: While there is some malty sweetness and flavors of pumpkins and spices in the in taste, these are nicely balanced with some hop bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is very easy to drink because the sweet flavors in the taste aren't cloying because of the underlying hops and the alcohol content is very well masked.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 02:03:28 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a chalice, it's poured, lookig a light orange, softly hazed, with brown edges..nice, if slimmed down head.

Aroma starts with cinnamon and nutmeg, not too loud, soft, but spicy, then the meat of the gourd calls out below. Sweet, spicy, and nice.

In the mouth, it's all there. Nothing but pumpkin, not too big and bold, but not skimpy either, and not one of these where only the spices of a pumpkin pie are employed to deliver the desired effect. No, this is with real pumpkin added, and the abv is definitely higher than normal, doesn't show at first, but then we get nice and warm.
Honestly, it really tastes like drinking a slightly diluted pumpkin pie, blended up and kicked up with some booze. Delicious stuff.
Really good.
Might not need the 9% abv, I mean, jeez, does everything have to go so high, these days? I remember when 9% used to mean something...argh, grumble, mumble, you kids get off my lawn!

BUT..damn good beer, highly recommended...drink one and see...

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2008 06:24:25 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours an amber color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has an awesome pumpkin scent that's almost pie-like. This has got to be the best aroma on a pumpkin beer ever. Not only do you smell the pumpkin, but you can smell the spices and the crust. The taste is awesome. This is as close to heaven in a bottle as you can get. This would be great with Thanksgiving dinner. It's liquid dessert. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate/good carbonation. This is a fantastic seasonal; maybe the best fall seasonal ever.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2007 00:46:25 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -21%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I have to preface this with I don't drink Pumpkin beers often, they are my wive's favorite seasonal, so I try them with her. This was an interesting one. First thing, the color, orange. The carbonation are gigantic bubbles and the smell, spice, all spice, nutmeg, something else. I don't detect the alcohol or the hops in the smell at all, even though the bottle claims that the hops are there. they are lost. the flavor of the beer is overwhelmed with spice. I realize that this is the point of these beers. There is an odd aftertaste of nutmeg. I'm pretty sure it was nutmeg. I don't really detect any OBVIOUS pumpkin in the flavor. There is a bright sweetness in the beer that I feel blocks out the pumpkin flavor. If I concentrate I can detect it, but it is not forward. It is hard for me to rate this beer, so I gave it a higher rank that I normally would have. I think it accomplishes what the makers want to accomplish and pumpkin beer fans will probably be relatively pleased with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2009 03:45:38 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Exiled for sharing this bottle.

Pours orange with a small white head. Aroma is strong pumpkin with caramel malt and toasted malt. Very inviting. The flavor is very strong, with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger). The spice gets less apparent as it warms up. The beer is very sweet and has a creamy mouthfeel. Medium mouthfeel and low carbonation. Best pumpkin ale I have ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 21:51:49 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a cloudy, orange amber color with a small, foamy, off-white head. No lace.

S - It smelled of pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, spices. There were also malty hints.

T - It truly tasted like pumpkin pie. Delicious pumpkin flavor with just the right nutmeg and cinnamon kicks.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a really nice tasting pumpkin ale. Absolutely the best one that I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 02:28:21 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this bottle in a deal with Morphoenix - probably should have reviewed this back in October, but here goes. Out of a pint glass...

A - Thin, quick-dissipating white foam that leaves some spotty lacing. Transparent pumpkin color (go figure!) with plenty of visible carbonation.

S - Pumpkin pie, graham cracker, spices (mostly cinnamon & clove), brown sugar and maple syrup. The smell comes alive as the brew warms up.

T - Starts off with sweet malt and maple and all the associated pumpkin pie flavors. The finish is a little bit more beer-like with a tiny touch of hop bitterness. It's not cloyingly sweet like the Creme Brulee - I don't feel like I'm going into diabetic coma from drinking this.

M - A little thin and watery, especially for a 9% brew. Carbonation is reasonable and gives a nice tingle that complements the spicy characteristics of the brew. There's a sticky aftertaste which suits the flavor quite nicely.

D - Very easy to drink this one - my wife and I polished off the bomber quite quickly. No major drawbacks - good carbonation, not overly sweet, can't taste the 9%, etc. and a pleasant enough flavor to make me want more. I'd really like to try this one fresh next October.

Definitely the best of the pumpkin beers I've had (although that's not saying a lot with some of the competitors).

N.B. I find it amusing the Southern Tier notes that this is an "Imperial" Pumpkin Ale - maybe it's time for a new category?

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2009 03:55:27 | More by MasterSki

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.18/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a mug glass.

A: The beer is a bright amber color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is seems a lot like banana bread along with cinnamon, pumpkin, caramelized malts and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is likewise bready with flavors of pumpkin and spices like cinnamon & nutmeg. There's also a strong buttery flavor in it. The malt character is on the thin side for the style and there's a mild hops presence. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, I can where some people might like this beer as it's quite different from other Pumpkin ales, but I just did not like the beer very much.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2009 04:52:39 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first thought about Pumking before even opening the bottle was "That's a Badass looking Label". The evil grin on the Pumpkin's face with the crown just really made me excited to try this brew. Two years ago I had picked up a bottle for a friend and myself to split and we loved it. The following year I bought a case and still have one or two bottles left now.

The beer pours out as a clear copper color. The smell of spice and brown sugar rise from the glass along with some pumpkin and other seasonal spices. The taste of the beer reminded me of a Ginger Snap cookie but in a liquified form. It's spicy and sweet. The mouthfeel could be a little thicker I think but overall it's a really good Pumpkin ale and I enjoy it every time I have it.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 14:48:51 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 2 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this one from SMason, cheers! Let this one warm up for about 20 minute prior to decanting

Pours an effervescent amber/bronze with a finger of khaki colored head. Zero head retention & lacing. Appearance drags down an otherwise fantastic beer

S: Rich pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg & some pumpkin flesh as well, superb nose

T: Follows the nose; nutmeg, all spice & general pumpkin flavor up front, along with some herbal hop bitterness. More of the same as this warms with cinnamon & a touch of booze leading the way flavor-wise, plus a kiss of toffee & a touch of herbal hops. finishes with some herbal hops contrasting pumpkin pie sweetness & spiceyness

MF: Light, especially considering the ABV, slightly prickly carbonation up front, fades after awhile. A bit of stickyness & chewyness comes on as this warms

Drinks pretty darn easy, although I can feel the ABV asserting itself at the end. One of the better Pumpkin beers out there IMO

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2009 03:29:28 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A standard pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces an almost two-finger thick, frothy, light tan colored head. The beer is a light amber / dark copper color that shows a brilliantly clear, bright copper hue when held up to the light. Lots of clean caramelized, sweet malt notes add an almost butterscotch note. This is nicely lacking in the typically lame over-spiced pumpkin-pie spice blend. Aromas similar to vanilla, toasted cotton candy, . The aroma is incredibly distinct and quite sweet I would not have guessed that pumpkin would add these butterscotch / caramelized notes, but they are quite different from anything I have ever gotten from malt. While this does smell fairly sweet there is a significant, equally competing, toasted malt note that adds a ton of biscuit malt character.

Lightly sweet compared to what the aroma might have suggested, though this still ends up being quite sweet and at times a touch cloying. This does have a medium fullness to it that coats the palate a bit after each sip. The finish has a touch of hot alcohol to it as well as a lingering toasted cotton candy like note that gets more like toasted grain as the finish lingers on in the palate. An interesting, sort of fruity, butterscotch-sort-of flavor plays a significant role here and has a soft vanilla like edge to it. As the beer warms, the significant, toasty grain notes starts to take on a nutty flavor.

This is a very interesting take on the style, I really, really like that the spices seem to have been left out of this beer entirely (or at least used differently than typical); the pumpkin character though is quite a bit different than I was expecting and not in a bad way. This definitely comes off as a bit cloying (which is typical of this brewery), though I now expect to get dessert when I crack one of this breweries beer open.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2008 04:47:34 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After trying this twice and sharing both times, this seems like an ideal way to try it. A full bomber may get to be a little much for one person, due to the heavier mouthfeel and spice level.

Pours a cloudy orange, plenty of foam that settles to a skim. Big aroma of pumpkin purée, nutmeg, and clove. Sort of earthy and bready. Not too sweet or spicy in the nose, very inviting.

First sip delivers a big pumpkin wallop with some dry nutmeg/cinnamon in the aftertaste. It has some breadiness, contributing to a fuller mouthfeel. The spices kind of hang around in the back of the throat with a light bitterness. Everything is big and pretty well balanced. Like I mentioned before, this is a good one to share, not exactly a sessioner.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2007 15:05:42 | More by emerge077