pumpkin beer

New Beer Blog Flying Dog The Gourd Standard Pumpkin IPA

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Flying Dog Brewery.  It is their new fall seasonal, which is The Gourd Standard Pumpkin IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Flying Dog Brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin IPA.

It has a amber like color with a white constant head. The smell has a cinnamon to nutmeg notes. The taste has a heavy cinnamon notes without any hop bitterest. The aftertaste has a cinnamon and nutmeg finish. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from their website (www.flyingdogbrewery.com):

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 6.7%
AVAILABILITY: Fall seasonal
HOP BITTERNESS: 60 IBU
SPECIALTY MALTS: Rye, Biscuit, Cara Brown, Oats
HOPS: Hallertau Hersbrucker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogbrewery.com

Twitter:@flyingdog

Closing, I am getting really burn out on pumpkin beers.  It is not as excited as it was before.  I really did not like beer at all and normally I like just about everything that this brewery puts out on the market.  I was very disappointed.  It might have been something that I ate or drink before.  I will not know until next season.  I recommend you to try this beer once.  Please, let me know that you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!   Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Buffalo Bill’s Brewery American’s Original Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into the Oringal Pumpkin Ale from Buffalo Bill’s Brewery.  Buffalo Bill’s is one of the oldest brewpub in the United States.  It opened in 1983.  It was opened right after the laws changed.  Bill Owens, who is the founder and owner, wanted to serve homemade food with some great beers.  In 1994, Bill Owens sold the brewery to Geoff Harries.  Geoff worked with Bill in 1987 as the orinigal brewmaster.  Geoff grew the brewerey into 40 states in the United States.  This is information was pulled from their website (www.buffalobillsbrewery.com).  Let us get into this pumpkin ale.

It has a slightly cloudy amber color with a white head at first.  The smell has a light to slight cinnamon notes.  The taste of this medium body beer has a cinnamon notes with a crisp cinnamon finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.buffalobillsbrewery.com):

Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin pie in a bottle

America’s Original Pumpkin Ale was first brewed in 1985. Made with real pumpkin, it has a golden amber color, and the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie. This brew is perfect for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Ale is available from August – November

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buffalobillsbrewery.com

Twitter:  No Twitter address

In closing, here is the pumpkin beer that started this mass trend right now.  Every fall, we have a flood of Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beers hit the market.  It is alwasy nice to go back and try the beer that started that trend.  I had this about four or five years ago and loved it.  I wanted to retry it.  I still love this beer.  I have to say it is better than most pumpkin ales on the market now.  There are some really bad pumpkin ales on the market.  It is so disappointed us beer drinkers have not send that message that these beers are not good.  I mean we vote with our wallet or money.  It is a nice message not to buy them.  This one is good and you need to try or retry it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Harpoon Brewery UFO Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another Harpoon Brewery beer.  It is their UFO Pumpkin Ale.  If you read my earlier beer bog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin ale.

It has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy cinnamon to nutmeg notes.  The taste has a nice creamy cinnamon to nutmeg notes with a cinnamon banana clove aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.harpoonbrewery.com):

It’s a simple story; we brew this beer because we like pumpkin (pumpkin pie, really) and thought an unfiltered pumpkin ale would be great, especially during the New England fall. Turns out it is.

Description

Imagine a pumpkin vine wound its way in a field of barley, and a brewer harvested it all to make a beer. Add Northwestern hops and a blend of spices, and you’ve got UFO Pumpkin. The malt combination provides a smooth body and slightly sweet flavor, which balances perfectly with the earthy notes derived from the pure pumpkin. And like all of our UFO beers, UFO Pumpkin is UnFiltered.

Tasting Notes

  • Appearance: Amber and orange with a slight haze
  • Aroma: Malty with hints of pumpkin and spice
  • Mouth feel: Slightly sweet and smooth
  • Taste: A solid malt backbone highlighting German Vienna and Munich malts with a nice dose of pumpkin and spice, reminiscent of pumpkin pie
  • Finish: Easy drinking with a lingering pumpkin aftertaste on the back of the tongue

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.harpoonbrewery.com

Twitter:  @harpoon_brewery

In the end, I was looking to try this beer for many seasons when they made it to the Chicago market.  It is average beer.  There is better pumpkin ales on the market.  I will say this beer is so much better than Blue Moon Pumpkin and Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale.  I did enjoy this beer but I just feel it could be a lot better.  I will try it again next season.  I recommend it at least once.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Shipyard Brewing Pumpkinhead Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another pumpkin beer, which is Pumpkinhead Ale, from Shipyard Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this northeast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin beer.

It has a clear golden color with a semi white head on this pumpkin beer.  The smell has a cinnamon to nutmeg notes.  The taste has a heavy cinnamon notes but turns to water notes with a cinnamon to slight pumpkin finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shipyard.com

Twitter:  @shipyardbrewing

Closing, I loved their Smashed Pumpkin Ale.  I wanted to try the normal seasonal in their everyday six pack line of the fall from this brewery.  I have been pretty curious on this craft brewery.  I do not know this brewery because most of their packaging does not help sell their beers.  It is pretty boring but most cases that means the beer is really good.  I have to say in this case with this Pumpkinhead Ale it is pretty average.  I was pretty disappointed and I have to say this is the weakest fall and pumpkin beer this season.  I will be searching out for their other beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Shipyard Brewing Smashed Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Smashed Pumpkin Ale from Shipyard Brewing.  Shipyard Brewing started out as Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub at Kennebunk, Maine in 1992.  The brewery kept on growing and open a brewery called Shipyard Brewing at Portland, Maine.  They partner with Sea Dog Brewing Company and Casco Bay Brewing Company and they became the fourth largest brewery in New England.  They are fourteenth largest brewery in the United States.  They opened a brewery in Winter Park, Florida.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a white constant head.  The aroma has pumpkin to slight cinnamon to nutmeg notes.  The taste has a sweet cinnamon to nutmeg with a nice creamy caramel notes.  The aftertaste has dry cinnamon aftertaste.  It is not drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Smashed Pumpkin is a big-bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg.  The OG and final Alc./Vol. provide the structure and body.  Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich Malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit.  To fully enjoy all the flavors, this ale is best drunk at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  Smashed Pumpkin pairs well with sharp cheese, nuts, lamb, hearty stews and desserts like flan or pumpkin pie.  Chefs find this an excellent beer to cook with in dishes such as braised short ribs.  Try adding a little Shipyard Blue Fin Stout to Smashed Pumpkin for a fall warmer.

Here is a description from their website (www.shipyard.com):

A big bodied beer with a light coppery orange color and pleasing aroma of pumpkin and nutmeg. Pale Ale, Wheat and Light Munich malts combine with the natural tannin in pumpkin and the delicate spiciness of Willamette and Hallertau Hops to balance the sweetness of the fruit. To fully experience all the flavors, this beer is best enjoyed at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shipyard.com

Twitter:   @shipyardbrewing

Closing, I have been eyeing this beer for the last few fall seasons.  I just finally picked up a bottle.  I figure that I will make it my third pumpkin beer of the season.  It has a nice color and aroma.  I love the taste and the aroma notes.  It has a nice bite for being a big fall seasonal but nice and kind of drinkable beer.  There is a nice balance from the cinnamon and nutmeg notes but I love the nice creamy caramel notes from the malt.  I will be picking up a few more of these beers with some Well’s Banana Bread beer.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink i!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog O’Fallen Pumpkin Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first brew from O’Fallen Brewery from Missouri.  It is their Fall Seasonal, which is Pumpkin Beer.  O’Fallen Brewery was founded in 2000 by Fran and Tony Caradonna.  The brewery was sold to Jim Gorczyca in 2011.  Fran Caradonna is still part of the company to this day.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a heavy cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin to this fall seasonal. The taste of this light to medium beer is heavy pumpkin with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.ofallonbrewery.com):

Like pumpkin pie in a bottle…we add 136 pounds of real pumpkin to the three-barley mash and then season the finished beer with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Available September 1.

Style: Herb and Spice Beer Alcohol: 5.6% ABV Bitterness: 11 IBUs Color: 8.7 SRM Grain: Pale, White Wheat, Caramel 90L Hops: Cluster

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ofallonbrewery.com

Twitter:  @OFallonBrewery

In closing, I have had a few of their beer over the years.  I have to say they are average to slightly above average.  I love my fall beers but over the years I have been disappointed.  This Pumpkin Beer I have been wanting to try it.  I had a chance this season to get a bottle from my local liquor store.  It is a really good brew and I believe they did a great job brewing it.  The problem like many beers coming out-of-state I believe it is overpriced.  I am not saying it is bad because it is overpriced.  I just would pick up one six-pack in the season but that is a maybe it.  There is so many newer seasonals and breweries hitting the market everyday.  It makes it harder and harder for the breweries that have been in the market for years to have their brews sell well. I recommend you trying this beer and try rest of their brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Belgium Pumpkick Fall Seasonal

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Fall Seasonal from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Pumpkick Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Imperial IPA, you will know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light copper color with a constant white head on this fall seasonal beer.  The smell is heavy pumpkin with slight cranberry notes.  The taste of this light to medium body is a cranberry and pumpkin notes with a pumpkin aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. Pumpkick is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

Here is a description from their website (www.newbelgium.com):

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

Birthdate: July, 2013

ABV: 6.0%
Hops: Target
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Fruits/Spice: Pumpkin juice, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cranberries, Lemongrass

Here is a video on their website (www.newbelgium.com) about food pairing:

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I am not a really huge fan of this brewery, however, the last few new brews that they have release.  They are winning me over pretty quick.  I love their Rampant Imperial IPA and Shift Pale Lager.  This beer that is being feature is really good gives me hope more for this brewery and all fall seasonals.  This pumpkin beer is pretty well balance with the complex favors in it.  There is a ton going on in this brew.  It is not over the top from the pumpkin and cranberry.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser