If you haven’t seen them yet, check out my first, second, third, and fourth pumpkin beer reviews. Through all of these, I have accumulated enough experience with pumpkin beers to be able to really talk about the style holistically. There may be a handful of additional pumpkin beer reviews after this one, but sooner or later I will have a pumpkin beer retrospective where I talk about the aesthetics of the style in greater depth and present a comprehensive list of the best (and the worst) ones I have tried. For now, here are a few more I have under my belt, metaphorically and literally.

– – –

‘OAK JACKED IMPERIAL PUMPKIN’ – UINTA – Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 10.31% ABV (Eye Choir’s Choice)

Appearance: Poured a clear, deep amber-red with a two-finger, creamy orange beige head. There is a small amount of carbonation visible. 4/5

Smell: Strong oak wood with brown sugar and caramel malts which combine to create a sort of boozy, rummy aroma. This is backed up by a moderately strong roasted pumpkin aroma alongside some moderate spices including vanilla, nutmeg and clove. Smells quintessentially autumnal. 5/5

Taste: Starts with a strong tart character which accentuates the gourd flavor. The spices gradually fade into a moderately sweet, malt and oak-dominated finish. Moderate to strong bitterness climbs in strength gradually with help from a fairly strong alcoholic taste. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy body, but balanced by generous carbonation. Mouthfeel is quite hot, but not sharp. Crisp with a little residual stickiness from the surprisingly potent sweetness. 4.5/5

Overall: Very oak forward, but this plays well with a balanced, gourd-like pumpkin to create a uniquely tasty (and especially strong) imperial pumpkin ale. Definitely a slow drink, one to savor. 4.5/5

– – –

PUMPKIN ALE – BUFFALO BILL’S – Pumpkin Ale – 5.20% ABV

Appearance: Poured a moderate, transparent orange with a one finger, off-white head. There is a fair amount of particulate matter suspended in the beer as well as mild carbonation. 2.5/5

Smell: A fair amount of spice, namely clove and a little bit of nutmeg and cinnamon, as well as a strange, slightly fruity yeast, and faint aromas of pumpkin and grainy malt. A little too much spice in the balance. 3/5

Taste: Spice is stronger than in the aroma, with virtually no taste of pumpkin, or malt. Not at all sweet, but rather immediately tart, and moderately to lightly bitter. Flavors and aromas do not mesh at all. 1.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, with a watery mouthfeel which goes along with the relative lack of flavor. Some carbonation increases the already strong acidity. 2/5

Overall: Not much to say; poor balance of flavors, with an uninspired palate. Not even worth trying once. 2/5

– – –

PUMPKIN ALE – BLUE POINT – Pumpkin Ale – 6.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a very clear, light orange with a two finger, off-white head. Very faint carbonation is visible. 3.5/5

Smell: Primarily vegetable notes of pumpkin, squash, and earthy, wood-like hops alongside some toffee-like toasted malt as well as some nutmeg and cinnamon. Well balanced, not afraid to show the pumpkin. 4/5

Taste: Starts moderately tart well-balanced with malty sweetness, which brings out the spice and malt. The finish is an earthy, moderate bitterness with some lingering sweetness. Good flavor profile but maybe a tad too sweet. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, perhaps a bit too much so, though the carbonation enhances certain flavors quite well. Very mild alcoholic heat, though this would be better in a heavier beer. 3/5

Overall: Interesting and balanced aromas, but overall too light and sweet for what the hop and pumpkin scents hint at. 3.5/5

– – –

‘THE GREAT PUMPKIN’ – ELYSIAN – Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 8.10% ABV

Appearance: Poured a faintly hazy or opaque light gold-orange with a one finger, off-white head. No carbonation can be seen. 4.5/5

Smell: Up front a strong pumpkin which has a very squash/vegetal flavor alongside caramel malts. Pumpkin spices are moderately strong as well, with an array of nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. There is a unique licorice note which may be from the otherwise mild earthy hops. 4.5/5

Taste: Moderate tartness and sweetness, which has a distinct, almost candy-like flavor, as well as a mild to moderate bitterness in the finish. The tartness really highlights the pumpkin, but is still grounded by the malt and contrasted with the sweet spices. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a very full, smooth mouthfeel. There is only a little carbonation but a moderate amount of alcohol heat, though this is an odd fit for the comparatively light body. 4/5

Overall: Somewhat similar to Elysian’s Night Owl, but stronger tasting, though this arguably skews the balance. Great, intricate pumpkin aromas, but a little imbalanced with the body and flavor. 4/5