Hipp-O-Lantern - River Horse Brewing Co.

TheBrewo

Michigan

2.68/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer was served from the cask at the Blind Tiger in New York, NY. It arrived in a standard mug. The coloring was darkish, muddy brown, with tawny streaks when given light. There was zero head, despite the room, and no lacing was observed throughout. There was a thick hazy and spotty sediment, while carbonation remained low. The aroma was of funk, must, moss, and butter. The pumpkin, however, came across more as synthetic orange, with a nectary and floral backdrop. With further warmth the pumpkin became more genuine, but it was still sour and a bit vinegary. There was some sweetness of confectioner sugar, with some wood and vanilla frosting to round things out. The taste began with obvious pumpkin meat and seed, with salty malts, a hint of spice, and some apple sweetness. The middle offered cinnamon cider, lighter malts, more milder pumpkin, and light citrus. We finished with more cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. The apple was there, and the beer tasted cidery, but there were actually some hops here at the very end. The aftertaste was more souring and lactic, with cream, barnyard grass, and light booze. The body was medium, and the carbonation was virtually nonexistent. Even with a swirl bubbles could not be produced. There was faint drying of wood, with what is ultimately a light coat. The abv was standard and the drinkability is okay.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the nectary and floral aromas, which helped keep things light. The cidery qualities were nice as well, but the souring was uncalled for. They should have either gone for it completely with the bitters and sours, or not at all. It left a bizarre muddled feel to the flavor. Additionally, the beer was horribly flat, making the mouthfeel none too exciting.

Serving type: cask

01-27-2012 23:21:07 | More by TheBrewo

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Restoring from lost review...

Pours a amber tinted orange, fluffy and soapy white head. Light scent, moderately spicy with some underlying sweetness, not much pumpkin. Taste begins with spice and bitterness, some pumpkin comes through and a mesh of vanilla and sugar hinted at on the back end. Medium bodied. Falls in the category of pumpkin ales that are more about the spice than the pumpkin or pie.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 13:59:11 | More by rfgetz

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Appearance: 1 inch head, orange-brown in color, hazy, high carbonation

Smell: rich pumpkin pie spices, cinnamon, nutmeg

Taste: rich pumpkin pie spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, dry toasted malt, and a bit of sugary cream at the end

Mouthfeel: sweet with slight bitterness in the background, high carbonation, medium bodied, dry--especially for the style

Overall: An above average to average pumpkin beer and certainly slightly below other imperial pumpkin ales. A good deal of dry malt and cinnamon here. Not bad, but I will look for other pumpkin ales first.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 01:08:58 | More by tigg924

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It pours a murkey brown color body with a thin tannish head that hangs around for a little bit, then fades to a thin lace. The smell is of pumpkin flesh and cinnamon. The taste is very nice of pumpkin and cinnamon and other spices. The spices are not over powering, just balanced really well. The mouth feel is nice, leaves a nice after taste of spices on the back of the tongue. Overall this is a really good pumpkin beers, one of the better ones i have had this year.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 21:01:13 | More by chefhatt

Chas58

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Firestone Walker Nonic Pint Glass from a Growler

A. Golden Burnt Amber with a haziness, small head and limited lacing.

S. A very rich pumpkin aroma with a hint of spices, clearly cloves, nutmeg and some cinnamon.  Not pumpkin pie but clearly pumpkin based and very rich. The spices dominate the nose in a very pleasant way. 

T. The first taste is really nice, spicy with a deep rich pumpkin taste. Medium in carbonation and very complex. Very little alcohol comes through, which can be an issue as this is very drinkable but with and significant ABV. 

M. The first taste leaves a slight yeasty film although it may be from the cloves, with a pleasant aftertaste reminiscent of the spices. 

O. This is one of the nicer pumpkins this season. The overall flavor is pleasing and the rich complexity makes it very enjoyable, sip after sip. river Horse has recently been very consistent with the quality and complexity of their beers. Worth a sip. 

Serving type: growler

11-28-2012 02:50:25 | More by Chas58

beerthulhu

New Jersey

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

A: Dense caramel-ice tea coloring has a solid 1 finger goldish-tan head that showed some resilence.

S: Spicing is evident upon opening and the pour, strong aroma of cinnamon, sweet cola, honey-caramel sweetness with a soft touch of nutmeg. Pumpkin puree is also prominent.

T: Flavor was strongly spiced, cinnamon, honey-caramel with a alcohol warmth. Pumpkin puree was meaty, but the alcohol seemed a bit much and distracted from the pumpkin aspect of the beer. Toasted grahm with a ginger snap and sweet caramelized brown sugar moment.

M: Snappy carbonation, creamy light to medium substance wise, creamy pumpkin and spicy alcohol warmth.

O: Overall i think the alcohol seems to interfere to much with the pumpkin aspect of the drink. A pumpkin beer should be fun, spicy, enjoyable to drink, while most of that is distracted by the heat of going big. Im all for big alcohol beers, i just dont think a pumpkin beer is a good option where the sweet and spicy nature is muted. Not ideal for multiples, i rather a pumpkin beer i can casually enjoy around a campfire out in the woods, where the campfire will keep me warm not so much alcohol and where the flavor a bit more enjoyable and defined.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 01:11:34 | More by beerthulhu

Lordquackingstic

Italy

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter on a rainy fall October day bro.

A: Dark muddy brown with a generous white head and significant lacing.

S: Faint pumpkin pie spices, little bit of malt, sort of weak, especially for an imperial.

T: Normal pumpkin pie spices but with a kick of something I can only describe as milk duds.

M: Surprisingly light for being an imperial with no alcohol heat, even though it's 8.1%. Not too sweet.

O: Not really impressed, but it's definitely decent. Very drinkable for the style. Four of these would definitely fuck you up. Worth it if you can find it in singles, though.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 01:25:36 | More by Lordquackingstic

Roose13

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass

A: The look of this beer is awesome. A cloudy brown, pretty hazy. Very thin head.

S: Brown sugar, pumpkin, malty

T: Taste is average. Kinda disappointed in this, expecting good things seeing as RH makes a lot of great beer. Spiced, kinda hoppy.

M: Medium. Lightly carbonated.

Overall: Decent beer overall. Have had plenty of other better pumpkin ales than this. Still pretty solid and I'd definitely drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 03:02:43 | More by Roose13

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

deep amber with 2 fingers of head. SUBTLE hint of pumpkin spices, molasses, nuts. less on the pumpkin flavor and more leaning towards a malty amber ale with a hint of pumpkin. loving this one.
medium body, moderate carbonation, creamy on the lips with a chalky finish.
a nice change for a pumpkin beer. still has spices, but drinks more like a beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 00:16:55 | More by facundoCNB

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Yet another pumpkin beer I never had. Whoot!

A - Pours a dirty brown that is very hazy, Head is a 1/4 inch that fades to a mild lace ring. Mild sticky lacing,

S - Brown sugar and toasted pumpkin flesh are the first things I smell. Mild toasted malts, sweet allspice and hops are secondary smells.

T - Not bad the taste is mostly spiced but not to the point of cloying, hops and brown sugars are great, and it finishes with a mild hop/vegital bite which I assume is pumpkin. All clash very well to make a tasty brew.

M - Have to give credit on this it has a high octane ABV but drinks with a medium chewy body.

Overall one of the best River horse beers I ever drank and even one of the better pumpkin ales I drank this season. Worth seeking out if a fan of the style!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 05:02:01 | More by DrDemento456

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Beer Authority in New York, NY

A: Pours a slightly hazy medium brown in color with orange highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall light beige head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of pumpkin with moderate aromas of brown sugar, molasses, and pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice).

T: The beer starts out with quite a bit of caramel malt sweetness in addition to the brown sugar and molasses from the smell. There are also light pumpkin flavors and stronger pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon and nutmeg). The beers flavors intensify as it warms and the complexity increases.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Light hints of alcohol heat in the finish.

O: This beer has very good flavors and hides the fairly high ABV well. Easy to drink and enjoyable, definitely one to pick up again next fall.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 21:04:09 | More by dbrauneis

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a single of this beer at my local spot, Civera's. Was highly recommended by the guy who works there. Let's see how this one goes.

Appearance: Pours nicely into the glass. Has a great presence of dark orange haze, some copper brown included. Leaves behind a nice foamy head about an inch thick that lasted about 30 seconds before settling. Impressed I must truly say.

Smell: Gives off a nice aroma of spices, for example cinnamon, nutmeg and possibly ginger. I can definitely smell the pumpkin puree as the bottle indicated. Also a hint of possibly brown sugar. Totally worth just savoring and enjoying.

Taste: At first sip, I notice the boozy taste that I wasn't surprised in the least.. Theres an interesting mix of pumpkin and squash that comes through. Actually pretty well-balanced. The cinnamon and nutmeg are totally enjoyable. There's also a slight hint of creaminess. Pretty much reminds me of a liquid gingerbread cookie at this point, with an addition of pumpkin.

Mouthfeel: Low to medium carbonation. Finishes pretty dry, but thats on the account of the spices and ABV.

Overall: Actually a very enjoyable beer. When this came highly recommended, I was sure it wouldn't be a letdown. This was a beer that can be thoroughly enjoyed slowly, by a nice bonfire. I would be careful after consuming one haha. Well I will have this again during a long session (football game or BS'n with the guys) and I would totally recommend this beer to anyone who would ask.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 01:37:26 | More by DMXLOX22

PatrickDaniele

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed on 10/10/12

A: Hazy light brown, orange, ambery color.

S: Not to strong of a smell for a pumpkin style beer. You pick up hints of the pumpkin but not a full on smell.

T: The taste is good, despite the small hint of the alcohol. It is an overall strong beer (8.1%) but the pumpkin does not fully take over the taste.

M: Thin feel, not watery, but not as full as some other pumpkin beers ive had. Good carbonation.

Overall i feel its an enjoyable beer. Something to sit on, and if you put down a few youll be feeling good.

***Side note: Taste and Mouthfeel so much better from tap.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 04:03:52 | More by PatrickDaniele

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber to copper color body with a two inch tan head that slowly dissipates to leav a consistent lacing behind.

Appealing aromas of pumpkin, nutmeg, allspice, and toasted malts float from the glass.

The flavor is packed with chewy pumpkin, nutmeg, and fall spice as well as sweet breads and toasted malt.

Medium in both body and carbonation with a bit of a chewy, pumpkin finish.

This is one of the best pumkins I've had after the big two. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:50:45 | More by CHADMC3

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle into tulip. no bottled on date.

A: one of the darkest pumpkin beers i have ever seen. i would say this is more of a medium hazed brown than an orange. head is white and frothy. retention is thick and stays. darker, but still a good looking brew.

S: mostly cinnamon. all-spice and ginger too. the aroma definitely lures the ones that are prone to a spicy seasonal drink. reminds me a little of mulled cider.

T: spicy body throughout with a reasonable malt backbone. finish has a linger of allspice but that is about it. not finding much else on the body, which is a bit disappointing.

M: average carbonation on a medium body.

D: definitely doesnt drink like an imperial pumpkin, even if the abv says different. the spice is overwhelmed while the pumpkin flavor doesnt really show its head. ummmm, i say pass.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 04:26:21 | More by Jimmys

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: A real hazy amber that has an off-white head that is about 1/3".

Smell: Probably the most potent smelling pumpkin beer, as I was pouring it the aroma was seeping into my nostrils. Strong nutmeg and fresh pumpkin scent.

Taste: Smells great but the taste is off but not by much. Little sweet and surprisingly little bitter than most.

Mouth: Little light, still good though. sharp texture but feels like a woody after taste that shouldn't be part of a punkin ale.

Overall: You are drinking a good beer and might just sneak into my top five pumpkins that I have had this season. Right after a cheesecake even better. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 05:15:35 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Kooz

New York

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Slightly opaque nut brown with an orange tinge and a tan head that sticks around to the end but doesn't leave any lacing. It's a good looking beer and makes me thirsty.

Spices and pumpkin in the nose. I can smell nutmeg, which also comes through in the taste right from the get go. There's a bit of alcohol in the smell as well, which costs it a bit.

Tastes a touch spicier than I'd prefer, but its good. There's some nice pumpkin flavor and the spices are good, just a little unbalanced.

A slightly acrid taste and less body than I anticipated makes it clear to me that the weakest part of this beer is the mouthfeel. That said, the mouthfeel isn't terrible. It's just no better than average.

Overall, this is a good beer, and you can do much worse, but there are some better options out there so choose carefully.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:22:52 | More by Kooz

MattyK

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- dark rusty copper color. Decent dark vanilla head as well as solid lacing.

S- limited spice & vanalla scent

T- nice thick spice and sweetness (Carmel, clove, vanilla) not overwhelming on any single flavor. Well balanced.

M- mild spice followed by the Carmel sweetness. Moderately carbonated for an imperial makes it drinkable also releases thoose spice flavors well after swallowed.

O- overall I really like this imperial. You don't find one flavor prodomanitly taking over another like in other pumking ales. The flavors are definitely present but in no way dominate which make this imperial very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 02:21:49 | More by MattyK

alexgash

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle.

Cloudy, copper-amber body. Half inch of sturdy, dense, light khaki head. Nice lacing. Lots of pumpkin pie spices on the nose. Clove, vanilla, nutmeg, and allspice. Toasted graham cracker crust malt and bubblegum also in there.

Herbal, spicy (hop?) flavors up front. Spices make their presence known and stay for a bit. Cookie and graham cracker malt sweetness fills up the palate. Clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon feature prominently in the finish. Slight spicy bitterness lingers, along with a hearty dose of pulpy, pie-y malt. Medium-full body, with a creamy feel. Not bad, but there are better imperial pumpkin ales.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:59:25 | More by alexgash

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

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

A-dark amber color with an off-white head and some lacing

S-nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin, bread

T-malt, pumpkin, spices, brown sugar

F-medium body with moderate carbonation

O-a decent and drinkable pumpkin ale, but not as well-balanced as some others

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 21:50:15 | More by MDDMD

beercat11

New York

4.6/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have tried many pumkin beers, for the price and quality of this offering, I think it's a winner. The pumkin and spices are mellow and subdued enough to know you are drinking a decent ale. You can almost imagine the taste if it wasn't a pumkin beer. I'm a big fan of Weyerbacher Imperial pumkin, but for almost $4 less for the hippo it's a be no brainer because they are very similar in character. I think this beer is top notch for the style. If you can find it this year and like pumkin beer, I promise you that you won't be disappointed. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 02:58:37 | More by beercat11

Ffrenchie181

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I love this beer. It doesn't have n overwhelming pumpkin pie taste to it at all, like most tendto have. I got a case of short fills, brought them home, encouraged my parents to drink them sooner rather to later. Took 2 four packs out of the case for a party. Left the state for 5 days and came home to only 2 bottles left. It's just that good!

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 02:05:20 | More by Ffrenchie181

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle from Trader’s Joe. Pours hazy brown with a short lived off-white head and lively carbonation. Nose reminds me of Belgian sour red, also some spices, caramel malt, hints of cacao. Body is full and tangy. Taste is some pumpkin, spices, herbal hops, brown sugar, and caramel. Finish is long and very spicy. Nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 18:50:09 | More by mikeg67

brystmar

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Wy!

Pumpkin, chocolate, caramel, honey, minimal spices in the aroma. Taste follows suit, bringing everything above together harmoniously. Opened over a dozen pumpkin beers tonight and this was towards the top.

Have yet to be disappointed with a River Horse beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:21:13 | More by brystmar

Proteus93

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a four-pack of this while visiting LBI this year. The owner of the shop spoke very well of it, which was promising.

A: I found this to pour particularly dark, though I suppose there is no real 'colour rule' that a pumpkin ale needs to follow. Some will be light, some will be darker. It's a little murky, and topped with an off-white head that picks up towards the end of the pour to stick around a little while.

S + T: There's a nice 'bakery scent' from this one... a little on the 'pumpkin pie spices' side of the spectrum, but rather well balanced and quite smooth on the palate. It doesn't have the dusty, overdone ginger or allspice flavours that many can have.

M + D: It's among the first page of heavy hitters as far as alcohol goes (at time of review). The alcohol sits fairly well behind a pretty solid flavour profile, and drinks remarkably smooth. A well-done beer, and one that will certainly have me more interested in trying out other River Horse offerings in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 00:06:15 | More by Proteus93