Every fall we see a number of craft pumpkin beers spring up on the market. There are so many to choose from, that it is tough for a novice to decide where to begin. My quest this year was to find the best pumpkin beer to fit my feminine side – meaning sweet, pumpkin-like flavor with less of the heavy beer taste.
I choose eight different beers at random and rated them from least to most favorable. The outcome presented a rather interesting list. I’m definitely not a beer expert, just a beer-loving gal and encourage all of you to taste some of fall’s best brews.
8. Fegley’s Brewworks Devious Imperial Pumpkin – 9% A.B.V.
There’s no pink lace and fluff here; this is a true, powerful man-beer. Brewed with real pumpkin and spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and clove, it was more on the heavy side with the beer taste rather than pumpkin flavor.
7. Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin – 8.5% A.B.V.
A warm, thick beer brewed with real pumpkin and spices, this beer was especially smoky tasting due to the use of roasted malts in the brewing process. Call me a sissy, but a little too intense for my dainty palate.
6. Long Trail Imperial Pumpkin – 8% A.B.V.
A well rounded beer with a slight pumpkin taste, this is a beer that could be your best friend for a chilly autumn night. Extremely drinkable with a touch of spice, but no over-the-top pumpkin flavor.
5. Dogfish Head Punkin Ale – 7% A.B.V.
It almost tastes like there is a little bit of coffee peaking through this spicy, brown sugar infused ale. I could see myself nursing a bottle of this while sitting around a bonfire, all warm and cozy.
4. Southern Tier Imperial Pumking – 8.6% A.B.V.
A sweet, almost dessert-like ale that would be great paired with a savory pumpkin pie. The pumpkin taste in this beer bewitches you into believing the 8.6% A.B.V. is only a myth. If only there were a beer superb enough for every type of dessert…
3. Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin – 9% A.B.V.
A sweet and airy beer that is especially light on the palate. The flowery aroma and honey flavor were very enjoyable and delicate enough to drink alone in abundance.
2. Arcadia Ales Jaw-Jacker – 6% A.B.V.
A cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice infused beer with all the pumpkin taste, but without the actual pumpkin! This has an incredibly smooth autumn flavor and is just waiting for you to pair it with some grub.
1. Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 8% A.B.V.
I found this to be the most balanced and universal in regards tondrinkability. The amount of pumpkin and spice flavor is just enough to enjoy at any time, and would do well with just about any pairing.
By: Jamie Pfrommer
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