Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale - Stevens Point Brewery

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

tap

Pours a clear deep orange amber with an off-white head which dissipates somewhat quickly.

Smells of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, with some brown sugar.

Tastes of brown sugar, cinnamon, caramel, pumpkin, cloves and nutmeg. More spiced than sweet.

Medium body with soft carbonation over the roof of the mouth.

A pretty decent and enjoyable pumpkin ale. Good flavor, would have this again. There are other pumpkin ales that I'd rather have, but not a lot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2012 23:12:38 | More by Cylinsier

Duff27

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Murky dull copper color, short white head. Nice lacing, cap and collar.

Fall potpourri smelling. Sweet aromas.

Real sweet, cinnamon dominates. Hints of vanilla? Leaves the mouth watering. Would guess 7.5%abv.

Medium to medium-thick mouthfeel for the style. Smooth carbonation fits.

Consider me pleasantly surprised with the Stevens Point Whole Hog Pumpkin. Well integrated spices with the base beer, everything fits well. Highly recommended, trust me.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:18:26 | More by Duff27

areich6

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a beautiful amber/dark orange color with a little bit of white head.

S: Extremely powerful hints of cinammon and pumpkin. Fantastic.

T: Strong pumpkin flavor, very good. I wish there was a little more cinammon quality to the taste, but overall very tasty. The 7.5% ABV is barely noticable.

M: A little light, but very creamy, with a very small amount of carbonation. Goes down very smooth.

O: This is a fantastic pumpkin ale, would recommend it to anybody who is looking for a beer that fits the season.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 02:50:51 | More by areich6

TTAmod

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Doesn't look too bad. Hazy dark orange liquid with a one finger white head that fades quickly. Halfway through the drink, there is no head.

S: Smells heavily of pumpkin pie. Sweet malt, pumpkin, and subtle spices.

T: Yum, yum, yum, yum. This has one of the best, most flavorful pumpkin profiles I've ever had. The sweet pumpkin is there, but it's supported by your usual dose of pumpkin spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, etc. However, the spices don't overpower the pumpkin.

M: It's a bit thin and bubbly. It's not too distracting, but it could weaken the flavor. The 7.5% is no where to be seen. Very drinkable.

O: Pumpkin ales are extremely hit or miss. This one is very, very good. Typically, the brewers overload the beer with spices that one would associate with pumpkin pie, but not add real pumpkin (or just add some type of artificial pumpkin flavor.)

With this one, you get a lot of actual pumpkin taste with the spices supporting it instead of overpowering it.

Aside from the appearance and mouthfeel, this is the perfect pumpkin ale, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 03:45:38 | More by TTAmod

pschul4

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a gorgeous deep amber with a nice 1" head that leaves good lacing.

S- Pumpkin pie. Plain and simple. Pie spices and nice meaty pumpkin

T- Little bit of a let down after the smell but still great. Spices along with actual pumpkin come through and some booze.

M- Really smooth with some carbonation on the back end

O- Smells amazing and has a ton of nice flavor but not quite perfect

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 03:30:07 | More by pschul4

RedSpecial1

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a clear amber with orange highlights and a decent amount of white head that disappears quickly.

S: A gourd-like sweetness is the main character, with a hint of pumpkin pie following with an almost burnt sugar character.

T: The flavor is a sweet gourd character up front, followed by the same pumpkin pie spice and burnt sugar character on the finish. Very restrained, and refreshing.

M: Light, with moderate carbonation. The flavors are distinct, but work well together.

O: Overall, an excellent example of a pumpkin ale. You get the feeling that there is actually pumpkin used in this recipe from some of the residual flavors, and the spices aren't ridiculously in your face as they are in so many other examples of the style. Definitely a good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 21:56:39 | More by RedSpecial1

clareo

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 2011 vintage.

A - Pleasant amber with an orange cast. Thin white head.

S - Squashy pumpkin smell dominates with light pumpkin pie spicing. Some malts. Well-balanced spice to pumpkin aroma.

T - Sweet pumpkin pie; this one is very competent - the spice doesn't overwhelm the pumpkin, the pumpkin is distinct enough while avoiding the squashy, gourd-y flavor of some pumpkin ales.

M - A little effervescent on the tongue, mostly smooth and silky, light-medium bodied.

O - An exceptionally well-balanced, refreshing pumpkin ale that avoids tipping the scales too far in any direction. A great find, and one of the better in the style I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 21:56:17 | More by clareo

Schmidts

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours from the bottle deep amber brown with a nice tan head that leaves lots of lace.
Smells of sweet breads and fresh baked Pumpkin Pie, with cinnamon. Now the best part the taste. Liquid Pumpkin Pie with a kick. A nice semi sweet Pumpkin pie taste hits your mouth with a nice hit of Alcohol and spices. Clean semi sweet and filled with real pumpkin flavor this is the best Pumpkin Ale I have ever had. Mouth feel, It is also very creamy in your mouth. It makes your mouth feel totaly refreshed and ready for another one. This is one Pumpkin Ale everyone should try! It is Exceptional in flavor and refreshment and very balanced and at 7.50 ABV very drinkable anyway.
Give this one a try you will thank yourself. Overall I give it a 4.5 A truely Amazing Pumpkin Ale!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 02:23:23 | More by Schmidts

taigor

New York

3.58/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a regular pint glass.

A - Poured clear orange copper color with big head that slowly dissipated leaving significant lacing around the glass.

S - Pumpkin and spices dominate with a little earthiness.

T - Starts off a little malty with very strong flavor of pumpkin and cinnamon. Very intense flavors are followed by nutmeg and a slightly dry bitter finish.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

O - Very good and intense pumpkin ale with ABV well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2011 20:06:00 | More by taigor

MsRif

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Capone's in Norristown, PA. Poured an orangey amber color with some haziness to it. Had an aroma of spices, vanilla, caramel...pumpkin pie-esque. Taste was similar to the aroma but a little bit buttery...tasted pretty much like pumpkin pie. Very, very light hop taste...but still present. Complex and well-balanced!

Light to medium bodied, good carbonation and very drinkable. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2011 18:27:41 | More by MsRif

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Capone's, Norristown, PA

Poured a burnt amber color with a slight chill haze, and a small bubbly cap of whitish head. Nice aroma of pumpkin pie and ginger snaps. The taste was a bit more subtle, but still adequately pronounced: right up front, caramel, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, a touch of cinnamon; entering mid-palate is a bit more bitterness from the pumpkin pulp, and just a tiny hint of leafy hoppiness. Light-medium body, crisp, and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 12:09:17 | More by Rifugium

socon67

New York

3.65/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours orange with a creme colored head. Mild lacing and lsight carboantion noted.

S - Scents of pumpkin spices (nutmeg, connamon, & cloves). Behind that the scent of pumpkin is felt. Subtle and well done.

T - Good balance, flavors are present and consistent. Spices hit the back of the tongue but don't dominate or taste artificial.

M - For a 7.5% this goes extremely easy. Slightly raspy, and feels lighter than it is.

O - Good beer. I'd try this and the other Whole Hog line again. I find their seasonals and limited releases are *much* better than the year round offerings.

Serving type: growler

11-05-2011 19:49:56 | More by socon67

magine

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a nonic.

Pours a clear dark copper amber. Thin fast fading off white head. Some minimal patchy lace. Average looks.

Brew smells of spices; big cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin rind. Nice malty flavors in the nose as well. Good smelling brew.

Brew is a little thin, crisp and carbonated; finishes clean and a little warming from the alcohol. Has a somewhat drying aftertaste. Good spices; cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin. There are some nice caramel malts as well. Some hops in here as well. Not overly sweet, nice flavors. Good, balanced flavors. A little thin, but good stuff.

This is a good all around sessionable pumpkin ale. I enjoy this one and with it being 7.5% abv it goes down way easy. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 01:13:01 | More by magine

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle at my Local D's for around 3 bucks.

A - Pours a nice shade of amber with slight orange hue. Head is a half an inch and surprisingly creamy.

S - First whiff was musty pumpkin and sweet malts. In the glass I can easily pick up other layers of cinnamon, all spice, and solid nutmeg.

T - Far from perfect since as always it could use more spice but it was tasty. First wave was a solid sweet malt base surrounded in earthy pumpkin yet its balanced. Next layer is spice mostly cinnamon and all spice which includes mild nutmeg and it finishes sweet with no hops (since its a mere 10 IBU's)

M - I found this beer between medium and heavy bodied. Very on par for an imperial pumpkin.

Overall I liked it. It was a big surprise to find it and even better to try it. The sweetness wasn't overbearing and the pumpkin/spices were balanced. One of the better pumpkin ales I have tried, I would recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 02:11:06 | More by DrDemento456

9InchNails

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at Andy's Corner Bar in Bogota, New Jersey.

Copper color body, off white head.

Mostly cinnamon and pumpkin with the aroma.

Cinnamon, brown sugar, pumpkin, and even a detection of mint comes through with the taste. Quite tasty.

Light carbonation, very easy to drink but I can see how it can get a little heavy in the tummy after another one.

This is a tasty pumpkin ale; I have had others where it was too unbalanced but this is quite tasty. All the flavors work well together and nothing is too overpowering. Alcohol is hidden well.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 07:35:44 | More by 9InchNails

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Is able to pour a large, creamy head with fine bubbles into a glass. Pale, off-white in color, like a couple of whipped egg whites. Fall to a thin foam on the surface within a few minutes. Beer itself is a strong orange-brown color that is quite transparent. Carbonation is readily visible, fine sheets of small bubbles rising up in aves. Leaves clusters of bubbles as lacing after each sip.

First scent I get is cinnamon and allspice (though they say they brew with nutmeg). Next up is the pumpkin, which becomes more prominent as the beer warms. Malts dance around the pumpkin aspect, though I find them to be somewhat cloudy as to type.

Cinnamon and nutmeg/allspice open up the palate, the malt sugar producing a candy-like flavor. Pumpkin arrives, somewhat lacking in presence. Pumpkin pie spices drown out some possible subtleties, like hops, and become a bit cloying with their dominance. Despite the mention of using roasted malts, I don't pick up much in the way of caramelized sugars. Alcohol is more prominent towards the latter end of tasting, perhaps could be hidden a bit better.

Mouthfeel is quite nice, with a medium-heavy body that suits the moderate carbonation well. Finish is relatively dry, probably via undetected hops and alcohol.

This is generally a quality pumpkin beer, though the alcohol level is perhaps a bit too high and unmasked. Spices are a bit overpronounced. None of these qualities ruin the beer. I would like to see a bit more malt character to smooth things out; perhaps a decrease in alcohol levels would facilitate the same thing.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 04:40:53 | More by falloutsnow

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A tawny brown with a dark copper hue. Reasonalbly clear with quite apparent carbonation. The very light tan head falls pretty quickly and while it does keep a ring doesn't leave much in the way of lacing.

S: Squash right up front and center! Nice. And then spices jump in - mostly cinnamon and nutmeg - not overly strong, but they do smack you around a bit. Also as whiff of alcohol in there. Malts peak through a bit and lean toward dark crystal with distinct toffee notes and some pale chocolate or something else dark and toasty. Then it is back to the vaguely boozy pumpkin pie.

T: Pumpkin pie spices and alcohol are right there and quite strong. Almost too much. Pumpkin itself starts off more muted in the palate than in the nose. Spices are heavy on cinnamon (with a bit of that spicy character of those red hot candies) and nutmeg, but also the impression that others (allspice, touch of ginger) may be present. Spices are moderated by a sugar cookie sweetness that has strong toffee notes and hints of burnt/caramelized sugars. Any hops are probably getting lost in the spices. As the initial spice wallop fades, some malty, toasty grain comes out along with more pumpkin. Good pumpkin flavor - it even seems that it may have been roasted a bit. Rich in a sweet, boozy, spicy way. I would like to see more middle - more malts - to help carry and smooth the rest. The spice load starts to get to me without an adequate base behind it.

M: Just medium body - which is a bit light for the style and abv. CO2 just over medium which is ok, but along with the spices contributes to finish that seems more drying than it really is. Spices get a bit prickly at the very end.

D: With the initial boozy & spicy hit ( and the apparent and relatively high abv) this, for me, is no easy drinker. I really like the well done pumpkin in this one, but would like more malty flavor and body to provide a richer base for the booze and spice, and to round out the beer. The added heft would also contribute to the sipper quality of this fine seasonal. I could actually go for a tad less spice and booze too, and maybe a touch more pronounced on the pumpkin.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 23:32:06 | More by SickGnar

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Quick-lived, medium brown, very bubbly head fading very quickly to nearly nothing. The body is a transparent brown with moderate rising carbonation.

S - Spicy aroma with a hint of fruit.

T - Rather spicy over a base of malt. No hops presence to note considering much of the flavor is made up of the nutmeg.

M - Thick through until the end where it offers a coarseness on the tip of my tongue.

~ This has some interesting character. It offers a spicy change to the lineup of the brewers in Stevens Point.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 02:58:01 | More by cdkrenz

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a flared glass mug.

I'll say it again: I'm getting increasingly proud of my brother's beer selections. This one pours a clear ruby-amber topped by a finger of ecru foam. The nose comprises cinnamon, nutmeg, French vanilla, brown sugar, and graham crackers. The taste runs very similarly, with that pumpkin pie kinda flavor, but the sweetness of it all is dulled slightly by a splash of pumpkin seeds and orange peel. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a smooth feel. Overall, a tasty gem of a pumpkin beer, something you don't find too many of these days.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 01:35:20 | More by TMoney2591

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #33 (Oct 2009):

Deep and inviting brownish amber. Creamy spicy aroma of fall pies, yeah ... it smells like pumpkin pie. Smooth and bity mouthfeel. The body, the maltiness and the spicing are all amazing with this thickness that slowly rolls across the palate and down the throat. Packs a small kick at 7.5-percent ABV, so this would be considered an Imperial Pumpkin. Some esters show off a ripe fruit flavor middle to end. Caramelized sugars from the malt bounce off the pie spice. With 10 IBUs, the hops are pretty much nonexistent, which is fine as it lets the pie spice do all of the work. Spicing is most definitely here, but does not become tiresome. Yes! We can taste a smidgen of pumpkin, which makes all of the difference.

This Imperial Pumpkin Ale has some meat. The complexities make you think about the style all over again, while it begs to be paired with your typical turkey dinner.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 21:53:32 | More by BeerAdvocate

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a beautiful reddish brown with nice clarity. Cream colored head was two fingers following my semi-aggressive pour, but has now settled to a thin layer with decent retention.

The smell is a touch on the mellow side, but the spices are definitely there, and there's nothing offensive about the aroma. A touch of alcohol in the nose as well.

A little bit of hop-bite towards the front, but then it quickly fades allowing for the spices and smooth pumpkin flavor to come through. A little heat from the alcohol, but it doesn't get in the way of the flavor.

Medium body with a good carbonation level.

I could drink a few of these, but that's about it.

Morey's Bottom Line: A pretty good example of the style. Not elite, but solid for sure. Worth a try if you've never had it.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 22:00:34 | More by Morey

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours a mostly clear burnt orange color with about an inch and a half frothy off-white head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flavors in this brew as just like I smell in the aroma, but the taste isn't quite as strong as I thought it would be (but it's still good). Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and has moderate carbonation. Drinkability is good, it's smooth and goes down easy. Not a bad overall pumpkin ale, I'd buy this again in the future. It's definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 22:07:17 | More by bluejacket74

jera1350

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Burnt orange color with a minimal head that leaves a little lacing.

Very fragrant nose of pumpkin and spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are pretty prevalent.

Much like the nose. Picking up the pumpkin for sure. Spices? Oh yeah. Lots of spices, maybe a bit too much. Spicy cinnamon, along with nutmeg and a sweet pie crust presence. The overall flavor is like a heavily spiced pumpkin pie.

About medium bodied. The feel is smooth, maybe even a bit slick.

One or two of these would be the most I would have. If the spices were a bit more subdued, this one would be even more drinkable. For the style, it fits in nicely. If you're a pumpkin pie fan, this one is a must try.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 02:19:23 | More by jera1350

dudemuskie

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed a single 12oz bottle at The Andersons in Toledo.

Appearance- Clear, deep orange with burnt orange highlights. Very nice color. Quickly fading, loose, very light beige head.

Aroma- Bright fresh baked pumpkin/squash-like aroma with an interesting perfume like essence. Subtle nutmeg and cinnamon spice that is supportive, not overwhelming. Undertones of toasty malt and burnt sugar pull everything together nicely. Great aroma!

Flavor- Starts with a moderately sweet maltiness and a nice subtle blend of spices. Fresh pumpkin fills the mouth in the middle to mute the spices bring the flavors together and push into a nicely balanced, softly spiced slice o' pumpkin pie finish. Notes of herbal hop bitterness throughout. Well balanced spice, pumpkin, malt, and hops!

Mouthfeel- Slightly creamy feel that really helps make this quite drinkable. Medium bodied, moderate CO2, low-moderate residual sugars. Nice balance of all flavors. Slight warming sensation but its pretty subtle.

Overall- A new favorite pumpkin ale! Finally, a pumpkin ale that actually tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie without being overly spiced! Excellent work balancing everything out without losing the spice, pumpkin, hop, and malt flavors. Great job on this beer, and a well hidden 7.4% to boot! Wish I would have grabbed a whole 4 pack!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 13:22:57 | More by dudemuskie

EwaldEichstaett

Jordan

3.08/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pretty flavourless overall. Nothing special going on in the appearance, dark ruby brown with no head. Really not much smell at all, a bit of caramel and sweet malts. The taste was equally bland. One could detect a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon in the mix. It was interesting, but much much weaker than I expected.

The only real redeeming quality of this beer was the high ABV was unnoticeable. You could look pretty cool getting wasted of your ass at a frat party. O_o

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 16:16:01 | More by EwaldEichstaett