The cast of characters:
Shock Top: Pumpkin Wheat
A cloudy ale the color of pressed apple cider. Slightly sweet with the aroma of honey and light cinnamon. Brewed with pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves-I think I taste ginger... This is a wonderful beer that would be great for sipping and perfect with a pork dinner!
Tommyknocker: Small Batch Pumpkin Harvest Ale
A very dark Ale, almost like a stout. They say it's made with pumpkin and a touch of molasses and spice. I can taste/smell the molasses, it almost smells a little smoky too, but I can't pick out any spices. While I don't think it's seasonal, boy this is good! If you like darker, heartier beers this one's fun to try.
Blue Point Brewing Company: Pumpkin Ale
A very pretty orange/amber colored ale. The bottle says it's a malt beverage brewed with pumpkin and spices. This has a very faint scent of fruit and cinnamon and is better at room temp. Not sweet but easy to drink, it also has a light spice aftertaste.
Harpoon Brewery: Pumpkin UFO-Unfiltered Pumpkin Ale
Another pretty orange/amber colored ale. Brewed with pumpkin and spices with spices added. This doesn't have any noticeable seasonal scent/flavor but I will say the word "caramel" did pop to my mind. It's a touch sweeter than the one above and has a slight cinnamon aftertaste. Serve cool not cold.
Smuttynose Brewing Co: Pumpkin Ale
A cloudy, orange ale. They say it's an ale brewed with pumpkin puree and spices. While it has a strong ale flavor, I don't pick up the pumpkin or spices. It's just a touch bitter too, which is funny because the very light honey scent would lead you to believe it would be sweeter. Not a fun beer or one I'd try again.
Six Point Craft Ales: Autumnation
An amber color slightly clearer and lighter than the other ales. My initial thought from both scent and taste is "bitter". They say it's made with ginger, spice, pumpkin and fresh-harvested wet hops. The predominant scent and flavor to me is grapefruit??? I didn't take one sip without making a face, this is not a pleasant beer. Of course that's my opinion, my son was surprised to hear this, he likes it.
So there you have it folks, if I wanted to showcase a pumpkin seasonal beer for a party (of the six shown) I'd pick Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat. It's not only easy to drink and you can taste the spices, but the bottle gives you instructions on how to pour it! Pour all but 1/2" into a glass, give the bottle a swirl and pour in the rest to release the spice aroma. It's just a fun beer!
The Bottle Shop
1837 East Passyunk Ave in South Philly.
If you're in the area, please stop by this female owned start-up business for your own tasting.
Have a happy day!
I'm joining:
Foodie Friday
Thank you for going that extra mile for us here in Blogland! I sure like the Smuttynose label the best!!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Laughed about you going that extra distance for the blog.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like that around here. Either I'm not paying attention (which is likely) or we haven't caught up on the concept of a pumpkin brew.
I owe you big time because you never fail to give me a giggle. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but at this time of year I think it sounds very yummy to serve with (dare I say) pork and acorn or any other squash. I'm going to give that first one a try. Thanks for going the extra mile for us cutie pie!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
Beer with instructions is a welcome advance in beer drinking but not sold on the pumpkin spice etc flavors. So glad you did the tasting for me. I'll return the favor with bourbon some day, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was such a thing as pumpkin beer! You've taught me something new! I'd say I like the looks of the Pumpkin UFO bottle the best..and I wonder if I could find any of these brands around these parts (Central Texas).
ReplyDeleteLynn, thanks for sharing your knowledge of pumpkin beer with us. I'm not a beer drinker but the bottles are pretty.----
ReplyDeleteShannon
I do not like beer but if it is pumpkin flavored I might go there...fun post.
ReplyDeletewow, who knew!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure you took for us! I think pumpkin beer sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a trooper you are to try all these beers for us! The things we do for our blogs... :) Not a fan of pumpkin but do like a good light ale now and then!
ReplyDeletehugs,Linda
I have to admit to not even knowing they made pumpkin beer..lol Obviously I'm not a beer drinker, or perhaps I would have known, but I'd LOVE to give that a try! Sounds amazing. I like the label on the Blue Point bottle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviews, I'll see if I can find some.
Thanks, Lynn, I actually saw a pumpkin ale in Trader Joe's and was wondering about it. I will keep my eyes open for one or two of these. Thanks for taste testing on our behalf. :) xo
ReplyDeleteTough job, but someone has to do it, right? Who knew there were so many "Pumpkin-flavored" beers. I'm not a big beer drinker, but some of those sound really good!
ReplyDelete:) CAS
Wow.....how you feeling now? I can't drink beer. My clothes fall off. It's the weirdest thing.
ReplyDeleteI did not have a clue about pumpkin beer, I bet it is awesome! I'll see if we can find some fun beer soon! I'm still chuckling, thank you for all you do for us, you are the best!
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome what you are willing to do for research, Lynn. I'm not much of a beer drinker but this does sound good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reviews, Lynn! I think this is the first post ever in blogland that might interest my husband!
ReplyDeleteSuddenly I am extremely thirsty!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of pumpkin beer before but have had blueberry beer. I'm not sure how much i'd like the pumpkin but i do like a good pumpkin spice latte :)
ReplyDeleteWell were you able to type after all those belts? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't drink, but I vote for Blue Point from right here on L.I.
Not that you asked us to vote! :)
Which one did Earl like? I think I heard him belch here!
First of all, you opened up a whole new brew to me. I didn't know they came like that. Second, thanks for the ranking...
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Pumpkin beer you say/Never heard off:) Pass us a recipe:))
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Love your blog,JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI am so happy I found this blog. I am totally loving pumpkin beer this fall, so far I've only had the shocktop and Blue moon varieties if you are able to get the Blue Moon, I highly recommend it, very good and easy to drink too.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I are actually planning on doing a Pumpkin Beer taste test next weekend, I hope we are able to find as many different beers. I am planning on blogging about it too.
Hey it's a hard job - but somebody has to do it - right? sandie
ReplyDeleteLove your idea of a pumpkin beer tasting! I just served Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale at my bridge club and it was a big hit with everyone who tried it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYay for seasonal beers! I'm testing a few this weekend..you know..for my friends ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which rock I climbed out of but I've NEVER heard of PUMPKIN BEER. How interesting. I am not a beer drinker...do they make a Pumpkin WINE ??? :))
ReplyDeleteI got very far behind on my visiting...so much going on here at Sweet Nothings...but I am playing catch up today.
I was just looking at the Shock Top at Walmart today. I was going to buy it for the label mostly, since I'm not sure I'm up to a pumpkin flavored beer. Wonder if there a recipes you can make with them?
ReplyDelete