Imperial Pumpkin Ale - Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

YardmanFTB

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My personal favorite of all of the pumpkin beers. This one has a great malt base as a baseline to the pumpkin and spices that go into every pumpkin beer. Imperial Pumpkin would seemingly be a great porter or stout if not for the added pumpkin and spice. This beer is what a pumpkin spice ale should be. The spice and pumpkin are just icing on the cake.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 17:27:20 | More by YardmanFTB

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.99/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured this Pumpkin Ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a reddish amber color, produced a thin white head, poor retention and it left little lacing on the glass. The aroma consisted of heavy amounts of pumpkin spice and roasted pumpkin. Medium in body, there was a foundation of caramel malt, roasted pumpkin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and alcohol. Flavorful ale, nicely spiced and well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 17:19:32 | More by GossageBrewery

flagmantho

Washington

3.86/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: medium orange-brown hue with a decently dense haze and a light, lazy effervescence. Head is a finger of creamy ivory foam with decent retention. Indeed, it is very pumpkin-like.

Smell: pumpkin, nutmeg, possibly sinnamon; perhaps a little anise in there or something licorice-smelling. Spicing is halfway between traditional pumpkin pie spice and a home-made root beer. I mostly like it, but it seems a little imbalanced.

Taste: very much like the aroma at first, but quickly the spices mostly disappear and there is a rich malt-and-pumpkin flavor. The alcohol and astringency disappear for the aftertaste, and the end effect is sweet but balanced, with a really good flavor. 3.5 for the beginning and 4.0 for the end.

Mouthfeel: rich and creamy with a big body and plenty of well-integrated carbonation. Smooth and satisfying; I love it!

Overall: this is a pumpkin beer which is growing on me. I feel like the spicing is a little imbalanced and harsh in places, but for the most part this is a smooth and pleasing pumpkin experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 23:27:11 | More by flagmantho

Mertzy81

Maryland

4.61/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Picked up a 4-pack of this that a manager at my local beer stop saved for me since this little puppy was in high demand. I'm very grateful to be able to check this one out. Already pretty stoked.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber, but is considered to be pretty transparent to me. Leaves a nice inch of white head that pretty much sets a very positive tone of Autumn and a welcoming feeling.

Smell: Has a strong presence of pumpkin and the spices that go along with them. Also I sense a hint of vanilla in the aroma. Very appealing to me.

Taste: Upon first sip, I feel the heavy presence of pumpkin and cinnamon. The other sips brings a welcoming palate of nutmeg and more heavy spices that really bring this to become a delicious brew.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall: Very delicious pumpkin style beer. Thoroughly enjoyed this beer and will definitely recommend this beer to a friend and will have again. I really enjoyed the overall presence of the spices and balance of flavors and it also presented a nice mash of pumpkin.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 06:52:04 | More by Mertzy81

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.86/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

355ml bottle. Tumbler glass. Enjoyed on jan´13. Dark amber color headed by close & lasting crown. Aroma profile is great: intense cinnamon, nutmegs, clove, toasted malts & baked fruit. Herb, spiced, tea-like flavors & subtle increasing bitterness. Low to medium body. Soft carbonation. Oily to watery texture. Orange zest in the middle & astringent mouthfeel. Dry bitter finish. Easy drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:33:59 | More by GONZALOYANNA

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.36/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 1.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Deep copper colored. Fizzy, no head.

Spices dominate the aroma. Some vegetal sour/funk. A little sweetness in the background.

A nice blend of spices take front stage in the flavor. Not much else to speak of other than a malty sweet backbone.

Heavy mouthfeel. Adequate carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 13:38:44 | More by UnderPressure

nukem5

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a hazeytea color wth nice big head which disappears rather quickly :-{

S: Aroma is of clove pie spice nutneg cinnamon and all the things we love about pumpkin beer and in great abundance.

T: The taste is just the same, kinda like drinking a pumpkin pie... for me its out of this world def a big favorite around fall thru the holidays and usually have one or two tucked away for a cool night in the summer.

M: Mouthfeel is a medium to full body with very little carbonation nice and rich coating the mouth with all the spices and yummy delishiousness of a great pumpkin beer.

O: Overall a fantastic offering from the Wyerbacher Brewing Co. Thanks and hapy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:43:36 | More by nukem5

homebrew311

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into Half Acre snifter. The appearance is a deep murky amber with a orange hue, somewhat dark for a pumpkin beer, minimal head and no lacing. The nose is full of spices and fleshy pumpkin. The cinnamon and nutmeg are somewhat subdued, but the cardamom is pretty strong and seems slightly out of place for this beer. The taste is somewhat absent of sweetness and is full of spice. Mainly cinnamon and cardamom on the flavor, but it seems to come through more at the end. I am missing any malty backbone to hold up to all of the spices. A slight squashy/fleshy pumpkin character comes through but it doesn't add much character to the brew. Mouthfeel is moderate to heavy with a high level of carbonation. Overall, this is a pretty uninspired pumpkin beer. The ingredients are there, but they don't pop and there seems to be no malt backbone to elevate all of the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 07:24:36 | More by homebrew311

SLeffler27

New York

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A slightly off-white sea foam head builds above a murky copper beer that leaves a film on the oversized wine glass.

The aroma has a floral sweetness with nutmeg, lavender, caramel, and pumpkin meat.

Sweet, yet balanced, with a late, lingering bitterness in the finish.

A medium body with velvety texture, light carbonation and late alcohol. This one is slightly syrupy.

This is a fun autumn beer, not much else to say.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 12:15:58 | More by SLeffler27

LeRose

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I did not think this was a great example of a pumpkin ale. Out of balance on the spices, seemed a bit confusing what it was supposed to be. Did not get any actual pumpkin flavor - more like a half-hearted pumpkin pie skimping on the squash. Thick and sweet, kind of clying on the palate with a long aftertaste. Would not look for again

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 17:51:57 | More by LeRose

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours a slightly hazy copper color with a fizzy white head with decent retention and just a bit of lace.

S- typical pumpkin ale spices but much more pronounced than most that I've had, they almost smell more authentic. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pumpkin purée, basically a slice if pumpkin pie

T- pronounced pumpkin pie spice flavors with cinnamon and nutmeg sticking out the most. Some sweet malt balances the spices out quite well. The finish leaves a strong spiciness of clove and cinnamon, just a bit of hop with just a bit of booze at the end.

M- light-med body with low carbonation, slightly creamy finish and mouthfeel

O- this is what I think pumpkin ales should taste like, it's like comparing dark roast to light roast coffee compared to most other pumpkin ales, the pumpkin spices linger on the palate and are much more pronounced and fresh. One of my favorite pumpkin ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:11:21 | More by Treyliff

davey101

Connecticut

3.15/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottled: 09/06/12, BB: 05/06/13. 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours a hazy dark orange/brown body. One finger of off white foam forms and vanishes leaving nothing behind. No lacing or retention at all.

S - Pie spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It seems to be waaay too heavy on the spice though, so much so that it comes off herbal and savory.

T - Cinnamon and nutmeg lead into a medicinal ginger flavor. Unpleasant for a brief second before the pie spices come back to center stage. No pumpkin or squash present.

M - Well carbonated and medium bodied. The alcohol is somewhat noticeable.

O - Maybe I just dislike cardamon, but this is one wasn't very enjoyable for me. Far from a drain pour, but I won't be buying this next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 03:23:40 | More by davey101

tastymug

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy dark copper with “fizzy” sound like if pouring soda. Head is very brief and minimal.

Smell: Rich and spicy like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Taste: Malty, spicy, and like roasted pumpkin or pumpkin seeds with a some hoppiness and a slightly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body (but lighter than would expect for the ABV, especially compared to

Pumking), smooth, and carbonated.

Overall: One of my top 5 pumpkin ales but it just can’t beat out Southern Tier’s Pumking. It’s still an awesome ale though and good for any fall occasion.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 02:42:20 | More by tastymug

Hopstuff

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer is reaching, but does not disappoint. The pumpkin is held back with that perfect balance of earthy yet wait for it, yep its still a good beer. The color is a deep clear orange with seamless legs. The kind of legs you want to put stockings on and a lamp shade. Maybe introduce a black light bulb for effect and let Weyerbacher do its thang! Year after year I still think these guys have crafted a well rounded, waiting for x-mas with a buzz on, type of beer. I am only hoping Santa can crave his way out of this pumpkin and into that deep freeze with which we survive the lesser daylight. It reminds me of those quick days that burn off the gray faster than Bolt does his shirt.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2012 04:55:24 | More by Hopstuff

colts9016

Idaho

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nod to Donkeyrunner for this bottle, thank you...

Kinda been on a pumpkin kick and now my house has acquired a few of them. Poured into a nonic at 40 degrees.

Appearance: A light tan head that is one finger thick with poor retention. The color of the beer is medium copper color with orange hues. The clarity of the beer is slightly opaque with some cloudiness in the beer. Carbonation dace within the body of the beer.

Nose: A rich pumpkin malt aroma assaults the nose ever so gently. The malt is toasty with caramel, biscuits, and slight toffee. The pumpkin is earthy with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Cannot really distinguish the cardamon in the beer. Other aromas are brown sugar, vanilla, wood, alcohol, and a floral note.

Taste: A really good pumpkin flavor that is earthy and mellow. The malt is caramel, toffee, and biscuit, The spice is cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, still hard to tell the cardamon tough. Other flavors are floral, brown sugar, vanilla, wood, alcohol, and grapefruit note.

Mouth feel of the beer is bitter, astringent, chewy, coating and warm.

Overall: The body of the beer is medium full and the finish is medium. The beer is great, I feel that the nose is so much better than the taste. However, I would have to like to see more of a malt complex in the beer. At times the beer seemed a bit thin but chewy.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 04:47:32 | More by colts9016

McNealc31

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy deep orange. The aroma promises a spicy treat. Definitely brings the spice! Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are the more noticeable. The touch of cardamom is rather interesting. If you try to find some pumpkin flavors, they are there, but the spices dominate. Thankfully, Weyerbacher has done an excellent job of balancing the spices among each other. The caramel malt and pumpkin eventually linger in the finish. The 8% ABV shows itself with a very pleasant warmth.

Big fan. Easily in my 5 best pumpkin beers

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 00:52:58 | More by McNealc31

nimrod979

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2012's very is quite disappointing from the last time I reviewed this. Still spicy but lacking in almost any other quality.

Appearance: Still your typical burnt copper. Smallish off white head. Not much retention. Just a small thin ring around the edges of my glass. No lacing.

Aroma: Cinnamon, clove, and pumpkin. The aroma is still good though not as spectacular as I last reviewed.

Taste: Starts out with a bit of pumpkin meat flavor but gets overtaken with a large imbalance of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Not quite like I remember this one being, it's actually kinda boring and one dimensional, even for a pumpkin.

Mouthfeel. This years version lacks body. Light to medium in feel. Carbonation is average. Finish is clove-like and spicy but dies rather quick.

Bottle. Pours a pretty hazy burnt copper color. Rather small white head though.
Strong pumpkin spice aromas. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. Caramel malts. Smells just like pumpkin pie. Fantastic.
This pumpkin ale does not disappoint. Packs quite a pumpkin-y punch. Great balance of spicy and sweet. You can taste all the different spices. Easy, smooth, Medium to full bodied. Somewhat creamy mouthfeel with soft carbonation. Definitely one of the best pumpkin ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 23:07:45 | More by nimrod979

MichaelPhiladelphiaBeer

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bottle, poured into large wine glass

a - dark amber, yellowish thick nice 1.5 finger head at first. No real lacing but it is pretty while it is there.

s- sweet smell, holiday spices predominantly cinnamon and cloves with a bit of pumpkin. great smell overall.

t - a little bit more of a 'tang' than you would expect but overall balanced. I wouldn't consider the beer bitter by any means, definitely a little bit sweet - but the alcohol content combined with the spices doesn't let the sweetness become too overpowering. The finish is the only place where a little alcohol bitter will sneak up, but it doesn't linger that long and the beginning and middle of the taste is too good to dwell on the bitter. alcohol is otherwise disguised well for an 8% brew.

mf- not velvety, but certainly not over bubbly. I like this mouth feel a lot - its obviously not as good as something off a nitrous tap, but about as good as it gets out of a bottle with balanced lightness and effervescence.

o - a great holiday beer. arguably one of my favorites. Would drink regularly.

Thanks again weyerbacher.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 23:29:57 | More by MichaelPhiladelphiaBeer

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger head that has reduced to a thin layer. It is a hazy amber copper color with slow bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: Bready and caramel malts, cinnamon, brown sugar, all spice, nutmeg, clove, and pumpkin. It has a nice smell to it.

Taste: Same as above. A bit spicier than I would like, bitterness lingers for a bit, and the booze is hidden well too.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium bodied, medium carbonation, spicy, not boozy, and enjoyable on this cold evening.

Overall: A pretty solid pumpkin beer to add to the list. Bitterness is higher than I would like, but still a good pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 08:42:32 | More by Flounder57

chubby2u

New York

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A- Brownish orange color, kinda cloudy. Very little frothy white head when poured which dissapated to nothing very quickly.

S- I first smell some sweet caramel. Then comes through the fruity pumpkin and maybe some very slight notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. Smells more fruity than anything else.

T- This pumpkin ale really opens up with very pleasant flavors as soon as it's in your mouth. Not a strong pumpkin taste but very pronounced and well balanced spices. Great tasting cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and I even taste something a little minty.

F - Very lightly carbonated with very small bubbles. I expected it to leave more of a sugar residue in my mouth based on the smell but i'm left with the slightest taste of alcohol and all of those nice spice flavors.

O- I'd get this Pumpkin ale again. It definitely tastes like Autumn in the North East. I would like it to be a little less flat but not a deal breaker.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:26:57 | More by chubby2u

Bills453

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - poured from a bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Dark orange color. Half finger white head the dissipates quickly to nothing.

Smell - pumpkin pie. Really I love the sweeter pumpkin brews, so this makes me giddy.

Taste - unfortunately the smell is better than the taste. I can taste the pumpkin, but the spices that I smell never really make an appearance...

Mouthfeel - a ok

Overall - ok offering, average pumpkin ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 18:33:06 | More by Bills453

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rusty colored hazy body with a decent head and no lacing.

The aroma is heavily spiced with loads of clove and allspice, with a dash of cinnamon.

There's a good pumpkin flavor to this. It's not a pumpkin pie pumpkin, but real pumpkin. Clove, allspice, and cinnamon are all heavy.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and dry.

I liked this pumpkin ale quite a bit but could see how it could be polarizing. If you don't like spices, you likely won't like this.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 03:22:06 | More by Vonerichs

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a New Belgium snifter. The beer pours out a hazy reddish-brown color with a finger of off-white head. The nose is quite sweet and spicy, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and squashy pumpkin.

The beer has a medium full body with a nice slick, creamy feel. The flavor is not quite as sweet as the nose promises. I get squashy, slightly bitter vegetable flavors and some balancing malty sweetness and spices. Some of these spices linger on the finish, but not for too long.

Overall, a nicely balanced pumpkin beer, especially for those who prefer squashy varieties to sweet. I am of the latter, not the former. I definitely prefer pumpkin beers that bring more sweetness to the table. Still, this was a very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 19:28:42 | More by deadonhisfeet

FosterJM

California

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1587th Review on BA
Bottle to LA Teku
12oz

2012 Bottle
Thanks to TroyG2352 for this one

App- I really liked the look of this one. A deeper color with what I would say is more like a wood stain color. A good highlighted beer in the glass. A little 1 finger off tan head was there and fizzled pretty quickly. A touch of lace and cling was present. A good density in the center of the beer as well. Wasnt a light or fizzy as I was thinking it would be.

Smell- It was a nicely spiced pumpkin beer. Wasnt overly done really but there was just one aroma in there I couldnt place and it kinda threw me. Didnt work with the rest of the aromas and kinda skewed what I was thinking about this. I got some cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and of course pumpkin. Maybe it was yam or some other vegetable.

Taste- Its a nicely spiced pumpkin beer. I will say the style isnt my favorite but this one was pretty good. A good layering of flavors and a good blend in the glass. The pumpkin and spice pair well. That mystery smell is making an appearance on the flavor and its making me annoyed I cant place it. Still a tasty beer.

Mouth- Started out as a bit of a lighter body and then as it warmed became more of a little bit more of a medium body. Has a medium carbonation level and was a little bit sweet and creamy. The residual spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with traces of pumpkin are there.

Drink- I thank Troy for this one. A nice pumpkin beer that I didnt have before. Id probably have this one again. I did have an 11.3% TIPA right before this. Couldve been a bit off my game as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 15:45:05 | More by FosterJM

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got the very last 4pk of this at my local store and didnt want to drink it yet, but all the other beers I have are way too good to drink right now.

A: Beer pours a golden-copper color with an amber tint with a really thin cream colored head. The head does have some big bubbles on top and leaves a little bit of lacing.]

S: First whiff of the smell gives off some clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I do also get some malt aromas.

T: Allspice is in the initial taste, followed by nutmeg, cinnamon and a malt sweetness. Flavors are not overly complex here.

M: Very sweet and spicy flavors that hide the high ABV well. Not a session beer, just a sipper. Lots of carbonation from pour to the settle point and quite drinkable.

O: Not the greatest Weyerbacher Ive had. But I have not had that many since they are so pricey. Regardless, for the season, this is a must try and is among the top harvest beers!

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 03:07:11 | More by SouljaSaia17