Punkin Ale

Pumpkin Beer | Seasonal | United States

By Michael McGuire

Judges Rating: 88
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 38
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 16

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.