Shipyard - Pumpkinhead Ale

[Gil Breau]

Went over to Maine to my In-laws camp in Vansboro, and we went across at Calais instead of McAdam. Decided to stop in at the shop n save and grab some beer. Walked out with a "Harvest pack" of Sam Adams (2 ea Ocktoberfest, Pumpkin Ale, Rauchbier, Dark Lager, Boston Lager, and Irish Red), and a 12 of Shipyard Pumpkin Head.

Appearance - Mid golden in color. Appearance really shone through as an orange pumpkin.

Smell - Once I opened the bottle, my nose tried to swear to my brain that it was a pureed pie, and not beer in the bottle. Cinnamon and nutmeg mixed perfectly with the pumpkin, might have been some brown sugar in there as well.

Taste - Lightly bittered, the ale stands on the strength of the additives. The smell was stronger than the taste, but it still had a great pie taste to it. Slight sweetness to it as well, not sure from a lack of hops or added sugar.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, decent carbonation that allowed the flavor to come out.

Overall Impression: The beer was what I expected from a pumpkin ale, but nothing overly special. A good pie flavor that screamed of fall. And it was light enough to drink more than one or two and complain about it being too flavorful.

The one in the Sam Adams case was far, far inferior, just for the record.

Beer advocate was pretty harsh on it however: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/1932

I brought home 5 bottles that were leftover from the weekend as well, plan on bringing up a few to the meeting if anyone wants to try it.

[Richard]

Definitely would like to sample; thanks

[Dean]

I'd like to try it as well, Gil. Nice review BTW

[Richard]

The Fall Ale I just put together was going to be a pumpkin ale, but I forgot to buy pumpkin :-|

[Dean]

I've often read that it's the spices and not the actual pumpkin that makes the flavour and that the pumpkin is only there so the beer can be called "pumpkin" ale

so yours may taste like pie after all