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Michael McGuire's picture

Punkin Ale

November, 2015
Judges Rating: 
88
Aroma: 
20 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
38 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
8 / 10
Overall Impression: 
16 / 20

This Pumpkin Ale looks right-on for the style – clear, amber and with a thick, sustained, white head. The nose combines pumpkin, without the vegetal off-aromas, with a nuanced blend of pumpkin pie spices, especially the darker and earthier clove and allspice. The flavor profile is also a balanced mix of pumpkin and supporting, not overpowering, spices (yet lacking the softer/sweeter contributions of cinnamon, brown sugar, and possibly ginger) with an underlying hop bitterness to balance the profile through to a finish that remains consistent to its early promise of a pumpkin ale combining all of its composite elements without allowing any to overstep its contribution to the overall effect. As such, it stands out as a very drinkable version of this oft-misbalanced autumn seasonal style.