Today is October 1st, which means pumpkin beer season has officially started. To be fair, it seems like this year pumpkin beer season unofficially started over a month ago; I’ve been seeing pumpkin beers in my local liquor stores as far back as the summer. I’d say that’s a good problem to have. It’s allowed me to get a jump start on tasting them, so I plan on having as much of a variety as I can.

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‘FERMENTATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION’ – EPIC (feat. DC BRAU) – Pumpkin Porter – 8.00% ABV (Eye Choir’s Choice)

Appearance: Poured a nearly black, not-quite-opaque brown red with a one finger, dark-beige head. No carbonation or sediment is visible through the dark body. 4.5/5

Smell: Notes of gourd and spices, mainly allspice with notes of clove and cinnamon, come up in front. These are supported by a malt background which features coffee and roasted peanut aromas, as well a fresh herbal, even minty hops. Fairly unconventional, but surprisingly there are some interesting synergies between these components. 4.5/5

Taste: Begins with a moderate tartness which brings out an initial burst of pumpkin squash, with a touch of sweetness that helps balance it with the light roasted malt flavors. Dry finish features a mild to moderate bitterness which combines with the slightly earthy, herbal hops to form a fresh aftertaste. Spice flavors are subdued, with a little vanilla coming out with the malt, but this prevents the odd flavor lineup from being too complicated. Very unique, nice balance. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a mild but noticeable carbonation that has a good tactile fullness that goes along with an overall smooth, even slightly slick mouthfeel. No real alcohol heat is detectable, despite the high alcohol content. Well-matched with the inventive flavors in this beer. 4/5

Overall: Surprisingly, I haven’t seen a lot of pumpkin beers that successfully incorporate the porter or stout styles, but this beer’s unconventional treatment manages to be well-balanced and quite successful. 4.5/5

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‘PUNK’N’ – UINTA – Pumpkin Ale – 4.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a translucent but dark orange-brown with a one finger, beige head. Some carbonation is visible though no sediment can be seen. 3.5/5

Smell: Raw pumpkin meat that is touched by a firm but not overdone spice palate which includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe coriander notes. Malt character is a toffee and caramel, though it adds a grainy touch in tandem with the pumpkin flavor. Hop aroma is light, with perhaps a touch of earth. Fairly straightforward but balanced and pleasant. 4/5

Taste: Very mild flavors overall with a mild sweetness that enriches pumpkin and malt, though it is dry enough that a slightly spicier, almost woody flavor readily evolves in the finish. Bitterness is very mild, with even less tartness, with not much hop flavor being apparent. A little too weak-tasting, though the flavors that are there aren’t bad at all. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Light body, with a watery, thin mouthfeel, though this is still fairly smooth. A touch of alcoholic heat peaks through in combination with a moderate amount of carbonation which shows some contrast. 3/5

Overall: While there is a good balance which doesn’t overshadow the pumpkin with excessive spice, the flavors are unfortunately too mild and the body is too light, though this does add quaffability. 3.5/5

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‘FISHERMAN’S PUMPKIN STOUT’ – CAPE ANN – Pumpkin Stout – 7.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a completely opaque black with a one-finger mahogany head. No carbonation nor sediment is visible due to the impenetrably dark body. 3.5/5

Smell: Prominent roasted malt aroma that is akin to coffee and dark chocolate. A vaguely fruity, mild fermented pumpkin flavor comes out beneath this, with a little cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg that creeps up as well. On the mild side, but pumpkin aroma is fairly sophisticated despite the strength of the malt. 4/5

Taste: Begins with slight sweetness which goes along with the malt flavors, but is overall on the dry side. A punch of initial tartness increases the coffee flavors and lends depth to the pumpkin, though the spices are much less apparent here. The finish is mildly bitter, and though it is well balanced it doesn’t seem to go along with any flavor particularly. Not unpleasant but perhaps a little one-note. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with medium carbonation which adds some dynamics and cuts through the admittedly restrained creaminess of the mouthfeel. Smooth, with no alcoholic heat being palpable, though it seems like the body is a little light for the flavors that are present. 3.5/5

Overall: Good pumpkin and malt flavors that have a reasonable balance, but the spice flavors and mouthfeel are too understated to be highly successful, especially regarding the spice profile. Still reasonably drinkable though. 3.5/5

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‘HANSEL AND GRETEL’ – ELYSIAN – Pumpkin Lager – 4.70% ABV

Appearance: Poured a mild, light orange-gold that has a one finger, off-white head, as well as a small amount of carbonation. No sediment can be seen, even though the beer is quite transparent. 3.5/5

Smell: Intense spice aroma that consists entirely candied ginger, though a floral, earthy Saaz hop aroma integrates itself in that part of the nose. These go alongside an austere cracker malt and a vegetal pumpkin that goes quite well with the spice and hops. Very pungent, almost perfume-like in its use of the spice, and even though it comes across as slightly strange, the aroma is quite pleasant. 4/5

Taste: Malt is very well attenuated, with only a touch of sweetness that really goes more towards the pumpkin. These flavors eventually head towards a fairly dry finish that features an impressive minty, earthy hop profile. Ginger remains present, and grows intense especially in the aftertaste, perhaps being a little too dominant in some parts of the beer. Nevertheless, complex and entertaining. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and incredibly smooth, with a full (but not thick or heavy) bubbly mouthfeel. The effervescence heightens the dry finish quite well and adds good context for the ginger and hops. 4.5/5

Overall: Interesting palette organization, but overall perhaps a little too heavy in spice or hops though the pumpkin is far from hidden. Very drinkable and fairly intricate, if a bit unusual. 4/5