Great Pumpkin

Great Pumpkin is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale from Elysian Brewing Co., spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove. I am judging this according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 30B – Autumn Seasonal Beer.

A hazy amber-colored beer arrives in front of me, sporting a 1-inch, frothy off-white head that lasts a good while. While admiring the beer, I sneak whiffs of sweet, doughy pie crust and sweet cinnamon. Medium-light vegetal pumpkin flesh pierces through, letting me know that this is a fall seasonal, and that this is a pumpkin ale. Underneath, but not far off, are nutmeg, clove and allspice notes. I take a quaff and am greeted with a flavor that matches the aroma, though with a decidedly dry finish, as any pumpkin pie should have.

Throughout the sample, the ample head remains intact. Subsequent swirls and sniffs repeatedly reinforce my initial observation, though I now notice a light malty sweetness in the nose. Additional quaffs, swirled among my taste buds and falling slowly down my throat lead me to believe that I am drinking a pumpkin pie. I can taste the pumpkin flesh, its accompanying spices, and a warm, slightly sweet and toasted pie crust alongside soft brown sugar. The beer finishes dry despite residual malt sweetness. The body is medium-full and the carbonation medium. There is no astringency, alcohol warmth or creaminess as this beer hides its heft quite well.

This beer is liquid pumpkin pie, so no need to serve it alongside that. If pairing is a must, consider some leftover turkey and dressing paired with this imperial pumpkin ale.