Black O’ Lantern Pumpkin Stout

The aroma greets the drinker with moderate pumpkin pie spices of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg that dominate. The stout characteristics take a backseat to the spices with a suggestion of coffee, chocolate and very light bready base malt. The spice character increases in intensity in the flavor and leans toward the nutmeg. A hint of chocolate lingers through to a pleasurable residual sweetness and medium hop bitterness and a medium-dry finish. A light creaminess on the palate creates a very pleasant mouthfeel. The roasted malt character needs to be a bit more in the forefront to allow the stout characteristics to shine through, but overall, this is a very enjoyable winter ale.