Temperatures are dropping. Leaves are changing. Daylight is disappearing. It can only mean one thing: Pumpkin Season is here. For the next month, everything from lattes to beer to ice cream is getting spiced up – pumpkin style. Three years ago some friends and I decided to organize an event to distinguish which of these items are tricks and which are treats. Pumpkinpalooza was born.
This year we decide to put craft pumpkin beers to the test. Nine were chosen from Whole Foods Williamsburg (who also put together the incredible Pumpkin Cake in the center). Three categories emerged: traditional beer, barrel aged beer and cider. Each was rated on pumpkin and spice flavor and given an overall score. Here are the results.
Traditional Beer
Winner: Southern Tier Pumpking Low on spice but heavy on pumpkin flavor this has been a favorite every year at Pumpkinpalooza. The only knock is it’s a little on the sweeter side, so you probably won’t throw back more than a bottle.
Honorable Mention: Brooklyn Brewsmith’s Headless Horseman This year’s host Zak Lehmann brewed his own pumpkin ale for the event and I’m not just saying it was good so he’ll host us again next year. A robust pumpkin flavor with hints of spice turned out better than nearly every larger producer’s attempt to pumpkin-fy their brew. Unfortunately it’s currently only available at his apartment.
Honorable Mention: Rogue Farms Pumpkin Patch Ale Rogue also scored low on the spice, which seems to be what people like in their pumpkin beer. The mouth feel is smooth, but it has a touch more bitterness than I would like.
Skip: Dogfish Head Punpkin Ale & Flying Dog Brewery Gourd Standard Dogfish Head has the most intricate label, but don’t be fooled into thinking that translates into an intricate beer. Gourd is heavier on the spices, which none of us considered to be a positive trait.
Barrel Aged
Winner: Kentucky Ale Pumpkin Barrel Ale The best barrel aged flavor which helps keep the spice notes in check.
Honorable Mention: Anderson Valley Pinchy Jeek Bourbon Barrel Pumpkin Ale This was actually my favorite of the barrel aged with more pumpkin than the Kentucky. A couple haters kept it just below the top spot.
Fail: Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby Rum Barrel Aged Pumpkin Ale Another company that spends more on names and packaging than actually making good beer. The vanilla and rum make it quite sweet but not discernibly pumpkiny.
Cider
Winner: Doc’s Draft Hard Pumpkin Cider The highest score overall went to Doc’s. It’s a crisp dry cider with a subtle pumpkin flavor and little nutmeg.
Skip: Ace Hard Pumpkin Cider If it didn’t have “Pumpkin” on the label, I would have thought it was a regular sweet cider.
Note: Individual beer photos courtesy of respective breweries.
