Pumpkin Ale - Long Trail Brewing Co.

tigg924

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: 1/4 inch head, orange-brown in color, clear, medium-high carbonation

Smell: pumpkin spice, sugar, and bread

Taste: earth, pale malt, and pumpkin spice

Mouthfeel: sweet with a underlying dry bitterness, medium-high carbonation, light bodied

Overall: Of all the pumpkin beers I have had this fall, this one is one of the more disappointing ones. If you like your pumpkin spice more subtle and the beer a bit more on the pale side, this one is probably for you. Long Trail has a different take on the style, I just wish the pumpkin spice or breadiness would have popped some more.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 16:40:59 | More by tigg924

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

2.9/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a bright, vibrant, copper-brown coloring with no head. Aromas of roasted pumpkin, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. Smells very smooth and rich. Flavors are sharply roasted, with a rough backbone. The pumpkin flavors are overshadowed by the roasting and increased carbonation, giving the beer a very sharp feeling in mouth. Roasty, pumpkin sweet aftertaste with extremely mild spicing. A light, crisp, quick finish. I was intrigued by the smell, but it left a bit to be desired past that point.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 01:15:14 | More by GarthDanielson

JustinAniello

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours orange-brown with a two and a half finger head. Dissipates to a nice cap and sticky lacing.

S - Sweet pumpkin, dark toffee, and some light spices.

T - Sweet pumpkin at first, just barely sour. The darker toffee/coffee shows through on the swallow with a bit of the spice, mostly cinnamon and a little nutmeg. A burnt flavor in the aftertaste that throws it off.

M - Medium body and carbonation.

O - Not a bad pumpkin ale, but nothing extraordinary. The burnt flavor in the aftertaste really brings the experience down, and the aroma is mild on spices. Worth trying if you are looking for a darker tasting pumpkin beer, but there are better options in general.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 01:55:45 | More by JustinAniello

BrewingViking

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

S - ginger, spice, and slight pumpkin
A - crystal clear copper
F - light typical pumpkin spiciness with a hint more ginger. finishes with a nice light sweetness
M - light body
O - an average pumpkin beer. nothing over the top or exciting. easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 03:57:43 | More by BrewingViking

Redemption10

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I was a bit disappointed in this offering. I know it is not an "Imperial" pumpkin but it really lacks character. Golden orange hue with about 1 finger of head on it. Smells spicy and sweet, maybe too sweet on the nose for my liking. Taste matches the nose for the most part. Malty and a lot of all spice and clove-medium mouthfeel. Just ok-not terrible or anything like that. Good for someone that drink average ales and wants to try a pumpkin beer. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 22:54:03 | More by Redemption10

Gmann

New York

3.15/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden copper color with a very short soapy head. Typical amber ale appearance.

The aroma is of a light bready malt with some caramel notes. Some lemon scents as well. The pumpkin spices are subtle but noticable. Ginger, nutmeg, and allspice come through. Aroma seems to lean more on the amber ale side.

Steely caramel amber malt base provides some bready flavors as well as lemony tea. The pumpkin spices are quite light, not really standing out. The actual pumpkin provides a slight veggie flavor. Noticable hop bitterness.

The feel is light to moderate with fizzy carbonation. Lightly sweet on the palate with an earthy hop bitterness in the end.

More of an amber/marzen type of ale. The pumpkin spice is too light. I do like the bear carting the pumpkins on the label for what its worth.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 18:44:02 | More by Gmann

Brad007

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

And the glut of seasonal beers arrives early...in August. Still, this is a curious addition.

Pours a orange-ish amber color with a two-finger head in my glass. Lots of lacing. Very active carbonation.

A hint of pumpkin spices greet the nose followed by a standard template of sweet malt that's barely hopped.

Ditto on taste. Pumpkin is visible but doesn't seem to work well enough as it's overpowered by the malt and hops. Then again, these ales have always been about the spices and a weak base malt.

Lingering pumpkin spice and malt make up the mouthfeel. It's spartan at best.

Meh. I'm not sure what they're aiming for here but it's not anything that I want to drink often. Reminds me too much of a marzen.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 03:21:36 | More by Brad007

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.33/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle stamped 073512. Sampled on September 27, 2012.

It pours orange-copper with a short-lived fizzy white head that dissolves and leaves lacing.

The bouquet is rather played down with mild pumpkin spices and a kind of sandy, bready character.

The body is one of its better attributes with a medium and smooth texture.

The taste is slightly sweet at the start but then explosively bitter at the end. But it is not what I would call a hop bitterness. It was more like a lingering potato thing. Sadly the usually reliable Long Trail slips up a bit on this one but it is still reasonably drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 23:50:03 | More by puboflyons

57md

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light copper with a finger of head that dissipated rather quickly, but left a touch of lace behind. The nose is definitely pumpkin-like. Not much of a pumpkin taste to this offering. The finish is pleasantly dry. Not bad, but not terribly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 02:48:41 | More by 57md

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

bottled 08/17/12, from what i can make out. poured into saint arnold pint glass.

A: very clear, very bright amber/copper hue. head retention isnt great. nor the lacing.

S: smells like fall. very heavy cinnamon aroma. apple crisps. all-spice.

T: similar to the nose, the cinnamon lingers long after on the palate. some malt in the finish as well. cinnamon starts things off. maybe some all-spice too.

M: moderate amount of carbonation on a medium body.

D: good pumpkin beer, but not great. pumpkin spice flavor, not much else going on. pass for me going forward.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 02:02:06 | More by Jimmys

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Vivid and deep Orange hue with a sticky white head. Smells of lightly toasted grain and pumpkin spices. Soft vanilla and cinnamon with hints of nutmeg.

Thin brisk body yet feels kind of full in the mouth. Light toasted malt sweetness followed by pumpkin flavor and its accompanying spices. Finishes with spicy with a linger well done pie crust taste in the mouth. Subtle yet complex with waves of flavor and great drinkability. Not an in your face pumpkin but definitely nice for some fall daytime drinking. A nice fall session choice.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 03:33:45 | More by jtierney89

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was poured into a pint glass, it has a nice murkey brown colored body with a small white head that layed down to a nice lace. The smell has a aroma of spices with a little hint of pumpkin to it. The taste is spices up front followed by a little pumpkin flavor and some malt on the back of the tonuge. The mouth feel is nice, easy drinker and overall a good pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 05:30:07 | More by chefhatt

Tundruth

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours out clear, and slightly orange in color. Smells of spiced pumpkin, and a little bit like a pumpkin pie. The taste is less pumpkiny than the nose, but the body and taste are still quite good. Overall a pretty decent Fall seasonal, worth at least giving a shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 22:02:30 | More by Tundruth

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12-ounce bottle into a Long Trail tumbler pint glass.

A: Bright, pale, clean and clear copper color with an orange tint beneath a two-finger head of ivory lacing that dissipates quickly and leaves a slight, edgy lacing of creamy foam.

S: Very nice, spicy and slightly sweet, inviting aroma to this beer. The ginger and clove zing across the nose, leading me to believe it may be more spicy tasting than anything else.

T: Assumptions were pretty spot on here. The initial malt sweetness is weak, with hints of roasted pumpkin and sweet caramel flavors. An array of spices follows suit, lending cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg to the palate. There's a mildly acidic and fruity pumpkin flavor that ushers in a slightly brisk and assertive, dry, bittersweet hop finish. The spicy sweetness lingers on a bit with some musty pumpkin bitterness.

M: Thin, light and slightly tart on the palate, I was hoping for more of a full-bodied, creamy pumpkin ale. The spices and seemingly higher pH levels here throw some acrid sensations across the palate. Fairly clean and crisp, but not really what I was expecting.

O: A pretty mediocre, middle-of-the-road pumpkin ale to further flood the market with. The 5.5% ABV and clean, crisp nature of the beer make it an easy choice as far as session pumpkin ales go. However, it's a bit too sharp, bland and hoppy to be a truly enjoyable, rich fall brew. I'd be unlikely to turn it down, but I probably wouldn't buy it outside of the variety pack if it were available.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 01:48:45 | More by Gambrinus1184

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Two fingers worth of fluffy cloud like light brown colored head... Modest retention gives way to a full creamy lacing... Loaded with swirling rapid paced carbonation... The color is a deep vibrant amber... A bit of lacing clings to the glass...

S - Fresh pumpkin guts... A bit of nutmeg... Toasted malts... Perhaps a touch of brown sugar as well...

T - Pumpkin and toasted malts battle for top billing... There is a slight hop presence and a bit of a metallic tinge as well...

M - Medium bodied... Clean... Crisp... The carbonation was much more subdued than the appearance alluded to... Goes down smooth sip after sip...

D - Not too shabby... A solid slightly above average pumpkin ale... Very quaffable... Outstanding appearance and slightly above average in all other facets... I would never turn one down, but this won't be one of my go to pumpkin ales either...

Serving type: growler

11-17-2012 01:48:15 | More by philbe311

metter98

New York

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear amber orange in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high beige head that died down, leaving lacing on the surface and a thick ring of large bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of pumpkin in the nose along with some subtle hints of spices.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has light flavors of pumpkins. No sweetness or bitterness is detectable. As the beer warms up, the pumpkin flavors become stronger.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a nice pumpkin ale because it isn't overly sweet or packed with too many spices.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 03:41:17 | More by metter98

jslice99

New York

3.63/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- Pours an orange-copper color with about a 1/4 inch white head that sticks around for a while. It also leaves some good lacing on the glass.

Smell- Has a sweet pumpkin smell up front similar to a pumpkin pie. Very pleasent.

Taste- Almost the same as the smell. Has a great sweet pumpkin taste up front and than it is followed by cinnamon and maybe some allspice.

Mouthfeel-Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall- This is a very drinkable pumpkin ale. Quite sessionable. I wouldn't turn it down but i dont think i would ever buy a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 04:41:01 | More by jslice99

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a crystal clear deep amber in color with some orange highlights and light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a quarter finger tall sudsy light beige head that reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of pumpkin with little of the expected sweetness and very light hints of pumpkin pie spices - mostly just cinnamon.

T: Light flavors of malts with just a hint of caramel malt sweetness, followed by moderate flavors of pumpkin. Light hints of pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon) in the finish. Light amounts of bitterness that fade quickly.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Enjoyable and it is a pleasant change for the style that the beer is not really too sweet. Enjoyable but not sure that I want to have more than one of these at a session.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 20:18:22 | More by dbrauneis

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a light brown/orangeish color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is strong of pumpkin and spices. Taste is mellow compared to the smell, pumpkin, a touch of spice, kind of mild. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 20:50:34 | More by tone77

siege06nd

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this after Buckeye Pumpkin Dead, so the bar is as low as it is ever going to be...

A. Pleasing. Very clear copper color with a finger and a half of cream head that lingers. Lacing is perfect and adorns my glass with aplomb.

S. Subtle hints of cinnamon, clove, allspice. Prety good burnt brown sugar notes as well.

T. Graham cracker, allspice, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg. Pretty much a spice bomb with a little bit of burn on the tip of the tongue. Subtle biscuit malt presence. Pretty good, but lacks some depth and becomes one note with spice.

M. Lacka heft and comes off watery. Well carbed but finish is abbreviated and light. Not bad, not great.

O. A good pumpkin that gets a little spice heavy. That said, flavors are well balanced and tend towards a malty bitterness, which makes a good pumpkin ale. I am not blown away, but I am certainly impressed.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 01:26:30 | More by siege06nd

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear copper, with a couple fingers of foamy and slightly off-white colored head. This maintains a smooth and creamy ½ finger that skims the surface, leaving back a sudsy cascade of lacing which quickly drips down the sides of the glass. The aroma is a nice even blend of pumpkin, light sweetness and festive spices. Those spices kind of hang on the edges of the nose and mingle in with a gentle green floral feel.

The taste is fresh, fleshy pumpkin, a neutral kind of sticky sweetness and just the right amount of pumpkin spices. Hops have a bit of rawness to them that leave this dry and bitter on the finish. The flavors achieve a nice evenness as this warms. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a firm feel down the center of the tongue and then more smooth and creamy on the edges. This has a nice drinkable feel to it.

It’s good to see Long Trail finally putting a Pumpkin Ale out, as it’s a seasonal style that would seem to be right in their wheel house. And this was a nice example of the style too, with an easy feel, balanced flavors and a fresh pumpkin character that carried this well. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out again for this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 17:08:24 | More by Kegatron

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a single of this brew at my local stop. Hope this goes well!

Appearance: Pours a light copper, orange with a bit of foam. Has a clear view through. Reminds you of a cool, autumn night.

Smell: Mild aronma of pumpkin with a hint of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Reminds me a bit of a pumpkin pie mixed with a gingerbread cookie.

Taste: Has that nice pumpkin sweetness that is balanced with cinnamon and has a somewhat lemony taste. Noticeable hops bitterness brings this beer all together.

Mouthfeel: Very medium bodied and medium carbonation. The pumpkin spice is nice and not overwhelming here.

Overall: Nice beer with a very nice pumpkin flavor and isn't overly sweet, and has a nice bitterness to bring it all together. Goes down smooth, doesn't offend the palate and could be enjoyed in multiples. May drink again, but I recommend it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 02:10:09 | More by DMXLOX22

Ommy

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pumpkin Ale pours a great orange-copper color. The head is a bit frothy and sticks around for a little while.

On the nose I get a well toasted malt smell, along with very nice pumpkin spices.

The taste is about the same as the smell. I get toasted malts with a background of pumpkin spices. This is definitely an interesting direction with pumpkin beers since most try to go for more sweetness, and this beer is playing more towards the darker flavors.

Overall I think this beer is a great beer to try, it's not your typical pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 22:49:37 | More by Ommy

strengthdoc

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased a six pack at the brewery the day it was released on August 1st.  Copper in color with visible carbonation.  Light head and lacing.  The aroma is of ginger and nutmeg followed by pumpkin.  Thin and fairly carbonated mouthfeel.  The first taste is of ginger as it hits the tongue.  The finish is mild pumpkin with a touch of cinnamon.   This is a good pumpkin ale, not overpowering and not too sweet.  Easy drinking for  the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 20:26:35 | More by strengthdoc

socon67

New York

3.95/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Orange pour with a high white foam. Rings of lacing ont he glass.

S - Nice scent of pumpkin with the traditional spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. Very pleasant and not overdone.

T - Good flavor of fresh pumpkin and spices. Less spicy than many, and flavoring is consistent. Tends to mellow as it warms.

M - Not as sessionable as I'd like, but feels light and with minimal carbonation.

O - Actually one of the better pumpkin beers out there. Seems like it is new to the fall packs. I'd get this again. And at the price of a 12 pack it is a nice deal.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 22:41:08 | More by socon67