Night Owl Pumpkin Ale - Elysian Brewing Company

TheBungyo

Washington

4.8/5  rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I was surprised to come across this so early. Surprised and very happy. Body is gorgeous orange and head is thick and creamy. Nose is awash in cinnamon, nutmeg and oh yes, lots of pumpkin. Taste is more of the same with additions of buttery notes, and vanilla. Man, this is THE beer when it comes to pumpkin ales ... I've never had one that did it better. I need to buy lots of this!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2006 01:37:07 | More by TheBungyo

oberon

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Mike aka "garagekegger" for sharing his bomber tonight,very nice pumpkin colored deep somewhat hazy pour with a fluffy white head that left a nice sheet of lace behind as it settled.Very spicey aromas cinnamon and clove really stick out in the aromas more in the lines of apple pie but still appetizing.Seemed a bit thin in the mouthfeel department and a little fizzy but the flavors were nice not overly sweet the cinnamon and clove are there there is a decent pumpkin bite in there but the spice outweighs it.Not a bad pumpkin beer to be had flavorful if not a bit thin.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2005 03:31:36 | More by oberon

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.47/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Warmly glowing rustic orange-bronze with edges of ripe pumpkin. Night Owl is richer and classier looking than the usual garish, bright orange. The head looks good as well, with its contrasting shade of pastel orange and its firm refusal to deflate. The edges of the cap are beginning to resemble a pie crust with what looks like a series of thumb depressions around the entire circumference of the glass. Minimal lace is the only negative.

I was immediately impressed with the nose as soon as beer splashed into glass. That was nothing compared to my first, concentrated, up close and personal sniff. Without question, this ale has the most perfect freshly baked pumpkin pie-like aroma ever. It simply isn't possible for beer to smell more like the classic dessert than this one does. Actually, it's probably more brown sugary than pumpkin pie, but that only makes me love it all the more. Outstanding!

If only the flavor and the mouthfeel could have matched the one-of-a-kind nose, Night Owl would have been something truly special. That isn't to say, however, that it isn't one of the best pumpkin ales that I've ever had. Not surprisingly, it tastes like pumpkin pie, albeit one drizzled with caramel and brown sugar syrup. It's sweeter than most, but that's more than fine with me.

Spices take a back seat to actual pumpkin flavor. Most brewers try to get by with dumping a truckload of spices into the kettle to cover whatever flavor faults might be present. If done right (as this one is), keeping the cinnamon, nutmeg, et al in the background is the way to go. For the record, all of the usual suspects are present... the two mentioned above, as well as allspice, clove and ginger. It's hard to know what was gained by adding green and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Hop flavor is entirely absent, although the Horizon hops provide enough bitterness to keep the sweetness from becoming too candy-like and cloying. The biggest disappointment for me is the mouthfeel. It's far from light, but a more full, chewy mouthfeel would have put this beer into orbit and may have allowed it to be recognized as The King Of All Pumpkin Ales. The flavor demands, and deserves, more.

Even though the aroma is beyond amazing, I still have to give the slight nod to Smuttynose's version as the absolute best. I'm amazed at the quality of this beer and I'm becoming more so with every mouthful. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised since I love Elysian's IPA and ESB. If you like pumpkin ales and you have the chance to obtain Night Owl, you won't be sorry. Trust me.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2005 23:00:10 | More by BuckeyeNation

troutmask96

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

My first foray into the fractured margin of the world of pumpkin ales, and I'm just a bit disappointed. Elysian's Night Owl pours a dark, deep orange getting you in the mood for big pumpkin taste. When I take a deep whiff of this brew, it reminds me of the smell of a kitchen when a pumpkin pie is in the oven. The taste doesn't really overwhelm me, though. I was expecting a richer, butterier concoction, but this tastes like a pale ale with pumpkin spices added...

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2005 18:27:11 | More by troutmask96

czechsaaz

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very malty aroma. Some brown sugar and slight hint of pumpkin.

Brown colored, clear, think head with lots of persistant lace on the side of the glass.

Really nice pumpkin flavor and spicy. I get cinnamon and I think nutmeg. Nice malty backbone. Hops take a back seat to the spice and pumpkin.

Full bodied, but remarkably refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2005 02:16:40 | More by czechsaaz

RoyalT

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – The deep, orangish-brown color of this liquid promises a malty brew. The head was white and moderate but very creamy.

Smell – The malts were thick and heavy here and mixed with some light citrus hops. It all come together nicely to form a classic, pumpkin nose.

Taste – The pumpkin flavor was solid here with a nice spicy hop compliment.

Mouthfeel – This medium-bodied Pumpkin Ale has some light tingly carbonation to the mouthfeel.

Drinkability – This is a good, solid, very malty ale with a bit of PacNW leafy bitterness to boot.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2004 02:27:17 | More by RoyalT

mudhoney

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This wonderful autumn ale has all the spices of a harvest ale, and the homebaked flavor of pumpkin pie that add character to a serious fall treat.
This is definitely a beer worth waiting for.
I love autumn, and looking forward to winter beers, but in the early fall to late November my best recommendation will almost always be my favorite pumpkin ales.
The spirit of the season is captured in this beer right up to the hops and flavor constant in the Elysian brews.
Deep copper in color, and laced with a thick white foam, this beer is intimidating.
Hints of nutmeg and pumpkin and it laces the glass.
A beautiful finish as the beer warms.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2004 03:24:06 | More by mudhoney

Montag

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice dark amber color. Medium light-colored head. Delicate lacing on the glass. Very strong caramel and pumpkin smell. Overall, the presentation is great. However, the taste falls somewhat short. It was very sweet. It almost tasted like a pumpkin cider rather than a beer. If you want a nice beer for dessert, this could be good, but otherwise I'd recommend getting something else.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2003 08:22:08 | More by Montag