Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout - Cape Ann Brewing Company

JizackFH

New York

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - This beer pours dark brown in color. There is a nice 2-figner light tan head resting on top. The head has pretty good retention, and it leaves some scattered lace behind on the glass.

S - The smell is roasty, and there is quite a bit of pumpkin. There are some spice notes, mostly nutmeg and cinnamon. Also, there is some lactose sweetness.

T - The taste starts off with some dark roasted malt and a nice mild pumpkin flavor and sweetness. There are some light spices flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. The lactose sweetness is present as well. Also, there are some flavors of chocolate, toffee, and a mild hop presence as well. The finish leaves some lingering roasted malt flavor and a touch of sweetness on the palate.

M - This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a smooth velvety feel to it. There is some roasted bitterness, as well as some tingly spice notes. Also there is some light pumpkin sweetness.

O - This has good drinkability. It goes down really easy, and I could easily knock a few of these back. This has a really nice flavor, and i really enjoyed it. I don't know why more breweries aren't making pumpkin stouts. I think the combination works really well, at least in this beer it does. Overall, I thought this was a good interesting beer. It is easy to drink and goes down smooth. I recommend checking it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 17:34:35 | More by JizackFH

Ungertaker

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a New Belgium globe.

A- Pours the darkest brown with a two-finger, khaki head and very little light penetration.

S- Some chocolate, hints of spices and pumpkin, a little bit of espresso.

T- The pumpkin was there, but difficult to pick up. A fair amount of coffee, chocolate, toffee and roasted malts.

M- Medium-bodied with a balanced carbonation level.

O- This was the first pumpkin stout I have ever had. It was good, for a stout, but the pumpkin was too difficult to pick up. I served it at cellar temp (which I do with most stouts); I am wondering if I should have served it a little cooler. Could the stout characteristics have taken over because of the temp? Either way, the beer was good and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 03:29:06 | More by Ungertaker

Florida9

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Appears black in the glass, but shows to be dark brown around the edges. Forms a large fizzy mocha colored head that quickly reduces to a thin surface coating and eventually, nothing. No lacing.

S: Lightly sweet with notes of brown sugar, molasses, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla, and a little cinnamon.

T: Rather thin flavors all around. Cola and pumpkin pie spice. Some light molasses. If there is actual pumpkin in this beer, I'm not getting it.

M: Medium bodied, but thin for the style. Even a little watery. Appropriate carbonation.

O: Thin in both mouthfeel and flavor resulting in a decent, drinkable, but rather unimpressive beer. The double version was much more impressive.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:53:19 | More by Florida9

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Nose: Pumpkin spices quickly make space to share for the robust stout aromas we're all used to. Not powerful or present.

Taste and feel: Drier in the middle than I would have thought, and not as full bodied as I expected -a tad watery, for a stout, or an ale. After a bit it doesn't taste like anything. Carbonation is quite present. Neat mouthfeel, but I have no flavors to speak of . . . it should taste like something, right? Not drain pouring, but I wouldn't buy it again. I have had friends say the opposite of what I'm writing, so, maybe it's just a bad bottle?

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 00:24:19 | More by CheezyBlaster

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown, almost black hue with a light brown head. Good retention and lacing. The aroma is nice and complex with nutmeg, clove, pumpkin, toast, and mocha. Nice mix of pumpkin and stout in the flavor profile. Spicy. Could be a bit more full bodied however, and there is some sort of oxidized taste in the finish that puts me off a bit.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 00:53:33 | More by Neorebel

danmcg62

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Poured into a pint glass. Pours a deep, black color with a decent looking mocha colored head. Love the look of this brew. This is how a stout should look.

S-At first whiff you get a mix of pumpkin spice and roasted coffee. Also a mix of spice and cocoa. I like this very much.

T-Major pumpkin flavor with a chocolate mix. A little malty, mild spice. Decent mix of flavors.

M-Thick feel in the mouth. Spicy and smooth.

O-Overall this is a solid offering from Cape Ann. I like the combination of flavors and I like that the pumpkin beer is a stout. I like that they are trying to mix it up, trying something different. Cape Ann is slowly becoming one of my favorite breweries.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 00:28:10 | More by danmcg62

Phelps

Arizona

3.3/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle sent by augustiner719, poured into a tulip.

Inky black, not syrupy but completely opaque. Half a finger of fizzy tan head pops away rather quickly, leaving just a thin ring and no lace.

Burnt biscuits and roasted pumpkin seeds provide the backbone, while sweet roasted pumpkin, vanilla and clove make up the body. A hint of chocolate and allspice complete the experience.

Subtlety is the name of the game with this pumpkin stout. There’s not much initial flavor aside from some tangy chocolate and a bit of pumpkin pie spice. Toast and roast pumpkin emerge after the swallow, but both are pretty light. Dry finish with lingering notes of pie crust.

Medium-light body displays moderate carbonation and silky fizziness. It starts watery, but expands a bit as it warms. Alcohol is negligible, and the finish is dry and crisp.

I’m a man who likes his pumpkin beers packed with pumpkin, and Fisherman’s Pumpkin Stout doesn’t really deliver there. The gourd here seems to be more of an afterthought, and even the stout flavor is too light.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 06:37:00 | More by Phelps

OutFox

New York

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A Fisherman's Rep dropped off a mixed six at the beer shop I work at and this is the first one Im getting around to trying.

A - Poured into a wine glass. Dark Dark brown with a tan head, looks like a stout! Not that it wouldnt. Decent retention and ok lacing. Porter like on the edges when light hits it.

S - Woah smells like a mild spiced pumpkin pie with a little coffee undertones. Smells really nice, all the pumpkin spices that are normally now found in pumpkin beers but with a different sort of backbone to it.

T - Same as the nose. Which is a good thing. Really like this flavor combo.

M - A little watery for a stout with a much lighter body than I would have expected.

O - Good beer. Really like the balance of the flavors. Needed a little more body in my opinion but thats the only problem I had with it.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 23:50:19 | More by OutFox

angelogarcia3

New York

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice beer served in a pint glass with a large tan head, black color, and notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, and chocolate. The first sip is very thick and almost syrupy in the mouth. Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout on a nitro-tap actually has more flavors than in the bottle. Our first sip had flavors of nutmeg, chocolate, with hints of cinnamon, cardamom, and a slight maple & vanilla flavors. Had it at the Good Life in Massapequa, NY.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-20-2011 21:54:18 | More by angelogarcia3

phichifiji00

California

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours black with one finger of tan head that quickly fades. Minimal lacing.

Smell: Roasted malt and pumpkin dominate, subtle pumpkin pie spices.

Taste: Nutmeg, cinnamon, roasted malt, caramel, chocolate, and hints of coffee.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Smooth.

Overall: A good beer, but lacking on the pumpkin/spice elements. The roasted malt dominates.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 16:30:41 | More by phichifiji00

vfgccp

New York

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

Sep 2010 bottle, reviewed in Sep 2011

A – Dark cola body. Bone white head leaves no lace, sitting low with poor retention.

S – Nutmeg, cinnamon, light pumpkin pie, and a multigrain-like breadiness.

T – Caramel, nutmeg, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Soft hop backdrop. Semi-dry. Soft and fairly restrained; I’d like a bit more of the chocolate malt to come through.

M – Touch low on the carbonation, even for the style. Medium/light body. Nice drinkability though.

O – Not bad. A nice brew to mix up the selection at a party in the fall.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 01:21:55 | More by vfgccp

airforbes1

New York

3.8/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first pumpkin stout, so I don't know what to expect. The head is copious and frothy at first (in a way that reminds me of Sierra Nevada's stout) before it becomes a thin layer at the top. The nose is mild, smelling more like a pumpkin ale than a stout; I smell some nutmeg and cinnamon, but it's nothing powerful.

I taste bitter chocolate, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is creamy, but I wouldn't describe it as a thick beer. Little pumpkin taste to speak of. My initial reaction is to describe this beer as a stout with autumn spices.

My initial opinion holds up: This doesn't work as a pumpkin beer, but it does work as a bitter-chocolate-with-spices beer. Tasty, but not a highly drinkable stout because of the spices. Still, the beer does a good job of masking 7% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 00:29:52 | More by airforbes1

CaptJackHarkness

New York

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The brew pours a deep brown color with virtualy no head, no lacing of the glass. Aroma is of pumpkin pie and chocolate mousse. Taste is pleasing and sweet, pumpkin spices and milk, no bitters!I am only half finished while I write this and I already want another!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 23:47:35 | More by CaptJackHarkness

albertjr21

New York

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass this yields a very dark brown, black really, with not much of a head. Aroma is a moderate one with a malty blend of sweet cocoa and caramel. Overall, this has quite an enjoyable milk stout taste and smooth drinkability...Crisp and refreshing milk sweet cocoa really quenches the palate and though I can't admit that I'd be able to pinpoint pumpkin in a blind tasting, I can definitely detect an earthy herbal hint of Fall in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 01:49:39 | More by albertjr21

jman892

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Nice looking beer, black with dark ruby highlights on the edges, a foamy 1 finger tan head.

S - Smells strongly of pumpkin even as I am pouring it. Not a whole lot else that I am picking up in the aroma

T - Spices are the strongest taste here, with some malts in the background. There is a slightly medicinal quality to this, and really the pumpkin is nowhere to be found.

M - Low carbonation leads to a moderatley creamy mouthfeel

O - The thought of a pumpkin stout sounds great, but this was a bit of a let down. I have a 5 left and may revisit this review if the experience differs

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 17:26:55 | More by jman892

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A pumpkin seasonal that is a stout? Very interesting. Tried this at as a gift from my father. Pours a darkish brown color, not much head to it. Taste is a bit watered down, higher ABV is well hidden. Pumpkin shines through a bit, but for the most part is subdued, tastes more like a generic above average stout to me. While I commend the brewery for trying something different with a pumpkin beer, I felt the pumpkin taste isn't as prevalent as it should be, pretty good beer overall though.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 21:35:21 | More by marlinsfan4

beergod1

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally got this in a trade from NYC. Pours dark brown with a thin tan head that slowly dissipates to a thin off-white ring. Aroma of chocolate and Hops, nutmeg, a hint of allspice and vanilla. Taste is medium bodied, with more distinct chocolate and pumpkin flavors with some biting hops and Oak. Finish is semi-sweet a light smoked background with mild pumpkin aftertaste. Very interesting, More Hops than I would expect, And not as much "Pumpkin" spice as I would have liked. But a very good Brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 00:28:41 | More by beergod1

9InchNails

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark cranberry-like color with a brown head that vanished quickly to a ring around the glass.

Pumpkin and cinnamon aromas escape right away from when the bottle is cracked open but smells more weak in the glass.

Pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar right away with some hints of caramel, chocolate and faint coffee.

Smooth as it hits the lips but the carbonation is quite high for a stout and bites the tongue hard. It leaves the mouth feeling moist.

Overall, this is a above average tasting stout and my first pumpkin flavored stout. I've always wanted to try one since I have tried many pumpkin ales. I had higher expectations but it was still tasty enough to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 08:48:37 | More by 9InchNails

atr2605

New York

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-pours black with a tan head fades rather quickly
S-much more subtle than I anticipated. roasted malt, chocolate, and hint of pumpkin
T-More roasted/toasted malt, dark chocolate, pumpkin, a little bit of the spices in the finish and a slight hop bitterness
M-medium bodied, feels a bit watery, and much lighter than I would have liked to see a stout
O-not a bad beer but I thought it was a little understated in all aspects. If all of the characteristics were emphasized a bit more I think it would have been a nice style addition to all the pumpkin ales that are out there. It just fell a bit short.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 02:10:32 | More by atr2605

tzieser

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

a: black in color with a fluffy thin head that settles into an even thinner lacing. meh.

s: roasted malt aroma with a pleasant subtle pumpkin pie spiciness. you can even smell some fresh pumpkin very faintly. interesting.

t: as i expected. nice roasted malt character with a somewhat dry finish. pumpkin pie spice isn't too strong but it's there if you are looking for it. well balanced and easy to drink.

m: average mouthfeel.

a solid fall seasonal beer that i'll definitely be revisiting later in the season. recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 00:16:24 | More by tzieser

washburnkid

New York

3.45/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Small cap of beige head. Pretty pitch black except at the very edges. Aromas are sweet, mostly reminiscent of pumpkin spice and vanilla. Flavors are subtle ... roasty, pumpkin, and tad bit of herbal bitterness at the back. Not overwhelming by any means, but balanced nicely. A little too carbonated and thin for my stout tastes, but nothing to really complain about. A smattering of head, not much lacing.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 23:57:55 | More by washburnkid

capeannbass36

Massachusetts

2.28/5  rDev -39.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- Pours a dark, dark brown black. No light getting through this. Topped with a 1/2 finger tan head that dissapated very quickly. Next to no lacing.

S- Nothing really. Veggies, perhaps?

T- Tasteless other than a slight hint of veggies and cheap beer.

M- No way this qualifies as a stout. Way too thin. Certainly not oily or slick.

O- Total disappointment from a local brewery.
May give it a shot on tap. But...certainly in no rush to do so.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 21:31:43 | More by capeannbass36

uustal

Rhode Island

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a mahogany black with a thin light brown head that quickly dissipates and does not lace. Aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of roasted coffee. Flavor begins with classic pumpkin spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg lead the way. The roasted malts are up next. Tastes a bit like burnt gingerbread... Strong black coffee as well and just hints of mashed pumpkin sweetness as the beer warms.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 02:41:03 | More by uustal

GregSVT

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a dark brown with a nice tan head that fades to a ring and leaves some lacing on the glass.

S: The nose starts with a good amount of smoke followed by some pumpkin and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The roasty/smokey notes almost overpower the pumpkin/pie aromas.

T: The flavor is roasted malt, pumpkin, and a hint of spices and chocolate. Not as big as I thought it would be but what's there is very well integrated. Everything blends together in a nice balance of chocolatey stout and pumpkin pie.

M: The feel is creamy and medium bodied.

O: Tasty pumpkin stout although I'd like to see a bit more spice notes to really bring out the pumpkin flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 06:44:58 | More by GregSVT

jondeelee

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -24%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pumpkin Stout begins well, the nose smelling simultaneously of a rich, decadent pumpkin pie heavily spiced with nutmeg, allspice, and clove, and a thick, bourbon-aroma-laced stout that reminds me of bourbon-infused whipped cream. The spices are just slightly too heavy on the nose, the cloves being especially pungent, but the aromas are still welcoming and reminiscent of autumn.

On the tongue, the beer begins with a heavy shot of spice--again, heavy on the clove, though allspice and nutmeg aren't far behind in strength, joined here by shades of fresh ginger--which overshadows the pumpkin flavors and leaves much of the rest of the beer struggling to make itself noticed. Hints of a good pumpkin pie crust linger in the background, thanks to the stout malts. But even the stout flavors, which have to be fairly large to even make themselves heard against the spice roar, don't quite pull themselves up the hill. The immediate effect is of a pumpkin pie that has been double, or perhaps even triple spiced and laced with bourbon, unfortunately spoiling much of the effect. And at least for me, late in the mouthful the overabundance of spices takes on a distinctly unpleasant overtone, reminding me strongly of the aromas of bicycle tire inner tubes. The aftertaste is spice and some pumpkin, as well as bike tube, and lingers for a while. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, while I thought this beer showed promise on the nose, the overly-heavy spices and bike tube overtones revealed in the mouth spoil the brew. I actually put off reviewing this beer for quite a while, hoping that the first few bottles out of the six-pack were bad, or that I was just having a bad beer-tasting day. I suppose it's possible that I've had a bad batch, but I'm not sure that I care to purchase another six-pack to see.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 23:57:50 | More by jondeelee