Hipp-O-Lantern - River Horse Brewing Co.

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

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: cloudy rust body, very little head,
no lacing

S: clove, all spice, mild pumpkin

T: all spice, malt, pumpkin, boozy finish

M: med/light body, smooth mouth

O: Love pumpkin beers, not huge fan of this brewery,
but want to support local breweries. Not enough
pumpkin for me and tad too boozy.

SOLID, NOT MUST HAVE!

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 17:45:05 | More by BeerLover99

claspada

New Jersey

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

Pours a slightly light to medium orange with a smallish off white head leaving a bit of lacing as it goes down.

Aromas begin with caramel, brown sugar, hints of cream and plenty of pumpkin spices. Some light grass and bready malt, but quite heavy on the spice/herb notes.

The taste follow the nose but with more traditional, non-spice flavors taking the front seat. Nutmeg and cinnamon come through as this warms along with hints of gingerbread and metallic, biting molasses.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. Finish is a bit creamy, but mainly dry due to the spices and higher ABV booziness.

Overall as someone that has had almost every solid example of a pumpkin ale that's ever been brewed. This one is slightly unbalanced, a bit boozy and forgetable overall. Would have better with less ABV and less spice additions probably.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 17:26:44 | More by claspada

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Amber bodied brew with a thin, foamy, off-white head.

S - A big bouquet of traditional fall spices. Cardamon, nutmeg, allspice and a touch of cinnamon. Some dry grains and a hint of warm alcohol.

T - Tons of traditional pumpkin pie flavors. Sweet nutmeg, allspice and a little cinnamon. Very faint brown sugar sweetness and a malty component balance the spices. Dry, bitter grains and warming alcohol detected at the end. Very well balanced.

M - Medium bodied, pleasant carbonation. Clean and silky with a very well hidden 9.0 ABV. A semi-dry, slightly warming finish.

O - This may be my favorite pumpkin ale. I will soon be traveling to the nearby River Horse Brewery to enjoy this on tap.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:04:16 | More by BeerForMuscle

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

I am running through a backlog of bottles that local trader, tone77, has dropped off for me during the past school year when I just did not have the time to drink all of them.

From the bottle: "Imperial Pumpkin [-] Ale brewed with pumpkin puree and spices"; "We covered our bases on this one - It appeals to fans of Pumpkin Beer and converts those that didn't know they were fans. A bunch of ingredients but none are showboating. After all, nobody likes a show off Enjoy!"

I went with a gentle pour so as not to disturb the lees and as such, I got only wisps for head. Color was an oh-so-slightly hazy orangish-amber. Nose smelled strongly of cloves and cinnamon, even a candy-like sweetness, like taffy. Unusual. Mouthfeel was slightly viscous and the taste was very much like pumpkin pie. Really spicy in terms of the nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves on the tongue, and coupled with the alcohol heat, this was a beer to be reckoned with! Finish allowed the sweetness of the malt and pumpkin puree to make an appearance. Whew! I liked it, but it is a beer to be reckoned with.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 23:30:35 | More by woodychandler

SLeffler27

New York

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

Slightly hazy copper orange with glowing highlights. There is slight lacing after a one-inch, pale orange, rocky head.

This pumpkin ale is quite spicy with a focus on nutmeg and cinnamon.

The pumpkin pie flavors are not overly done. There is no real bitterness, but sweetness is well controlled. There is an odd, lingering metallic aftertaste.

A medium body with smooth texture and modest alcohol. This one is fairly dry with some astringency and light carbonation.

Easily consumed from a Roosterfish pint glass. Being a pumpkin beer, this one could only be considered during the right season. This style is really not my preference, but River Horse seems to have done it well.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 12:16:03 | More by SLeffler27

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

vfgccp

New York

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Opaque cranberry ice tea. Thin white head with ok retention and low lace.

S - Mellow cinnamon and a nice, bready malt.

T - Soft malt with backdrop of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin bread. Light woody hop note through the backend.

M - Smooth, medium body. Ok carbonation.

O - Mellow and drinkable. Nice spice note, but low on pumpkin flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 18:55:00 | More by vfgccp

thagr81us

South Carolina

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

Big thanks goes out to the BA who sent me this one as an extra in a past trade (don't have my spreadsheet at home)! Served from bottle into a Samuel Smith imperial pint. Poured a dark red-orange with a one and a half finger off-white head that subsided to half a finger slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of pumpkin, spices, cinnamon, ginger, alcohol, and subtle nutmeg. The flavor was of sweet malt, subtle alcohol, pumpkin, cinnamon, subtle nutmeg, and spices. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. I have grown to like Pumpkin brews more and more, and this one is a good example of why. The pumpkin definitely dominated the flavor and aroma on this one. While doing so, it brought a nice collection of spices to the game. Very well balanced and tasty. A definite must try for the curious or pumpkin brew fan a-like.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 01:55:48 | More by thagr81us

DCon

Missouri

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

Received a 12 FLUID OUNCE bottle of this in a trade w/ ipaking67. Poured from the light grey & orange labeled bottle w/ "IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ale brewed with Pumpkin Puree and Spices" & a "Pumpkin Horse Head" on the neck of the bottle and cap into my 16oz Dewey's Pizza Pint Glass. Does not have a freshness date the bottle.

Aroma- Has a SUPER strong Pumpkin aroma with tons of sweetness, spice, and ingredient within! Rivals Schlafly's Pumpkin aroma already!

Appearance- Pours a 1.5 finger head that has terrific retention. Has a dark amber/orange body color with no clarity. Leaves thick lacing down the glass.

Flavor- Tons of sweetness, spice, and malt start off the taste. Pumpkin then comes out strongly towards the end and where the bitterness level is medium-high.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Medium-High Carbonation, Smooth, and leaves awesome amount of pumpkin/spice on the palate.

Overall Impression- Now this one breaks into my top 5 list! Maybe I enjoy these high gravity/Imperial Pumpkin Ales MUCH more but how could you blame me? These ones have the punch of pumpkin and spice while the lower ABV Pumpkin Ales only have sweetness and malt that fill out the entire taste/mouthfeel. I would definitely get your hands on this one if you get a chance! Can't even notice it is a 8.1% brew!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 19:44:47 | More by DCon

mcallister

Ohio

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

Deep amber with a tan fizzy head that fades quickly to a foamy topper.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, toffee and hints of caramel and candy corn.

Not a bad pumpkin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice and squash, good malt character nice and bready with toffee and hints of caramel. Moderate carbonation a bit creamy.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 21:06:04 | More by mcallister

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass

Pours an orange amber with a fluffy two finger white cap. Slow fade with some spider web lacing. Clean and bright body, small bubbles.

The nose is of fresh pumpkin, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon with a good dose of alcohol.

The taste follows the nose. Fleshy pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg off the bat. Allspice and ginger with some booze coming out in the finish.

Medium body, smooth with low carbonation. A bit prickly in the finish. Cinnamon and pumpkin linger.

This is a nice pumpkin ale, but it's not setting and records.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 20:59:29 | More by ColForbinBC