L. Rauch Hubbard - Elysian Brewing Company

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap during the 2012 Great Pumpkin Festival held at the Cambridge Brewing Company on 10/27/12. Served in a pint glass. This is Rauchbier with smoked Hubbard squash.

Pours a clear copper in the glass, with a ½ finger of slightly off-white head. This retains richly, leaving back a good bit of spotty lace down the sides. The aroma has a lot of smoked meat character going on with it, undercut by just a light bit of that green smelling squash character. Spice and stickiness are present but seem crammed along the back, especially compared to the smokiness of this.

The taste is much more focused on that fresh green squash character and sweetness up front, with note of spice and fruit working themselves in as well. Smoke is strong however across the back of the profile, with this ending dry and burnt on the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a firm carbonation that expands out in the mouth, staying lively but also smooth as well.

This was pretty decent. It definitely had a nice smoky Rauchbier quality to it that was strong in the nose but then a bit more subdued in the taste but the squash addition added a fresh level of complexity to this that was welcome as well. Interesting beer for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 16:38:59 | More by Kegatron

oline73

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at Max's during Baltimore beer week. Served in a 4oz tasting glass.

Appearance: The beer pours a clear dark amber color with just a small layer of off white head around the pour.

Smell: I'm getting tons of smoke right off the bat here. I'm getting some dark fruit along with a hint of malt sweetness.

Taste: Very smokey right away, but that fades rather quickly. The smoke drowns out the acorn squash flavor in my opinion. There is a mild malt sweetness in the background. The finish is a bit watery.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with smooth carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I thought the idea of a smoked squash beer was interesting, but I don't think this one had enough balance.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2012 22:53:14 | More by oline73