Most pumpkin beers use the amber ale or brown ale as their base style, as they have a malt character which closely mimics the bread or cake-like quality of a pumpkin pie. However, in my first pumpkin beer review this season, my favorite was in fact a pumpkin porter, where additionally notes of nuts and more heavily roasted malt. It is certainly harder to incorporate the pumpkin flavor into less common base beer styles, but it provides a chance to be unique and find interesting flavor synergies. This time around, we see it done successfully with a pumpkin dunkelweizen.

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‘PUNKEL DUNKEL’ – NESHAMINY CREEK – Pumpkin Dunkelweizen – 8.80% ABV (Eye Choir’s Top Choice)

Appearance: Poured a dark and largely opaque muddy brown with vermillion orange highlights and a one-finger, tan head. The beer is so hazy that no carbonation can be seen whatsoever. 4.5/5

Smell: Yeast aromas expected from a dunkelweizen are prominent, including a rich cherry and banana which make an unexpectedly fantastic pair with a moderate vegetal pumpkin note. A big hit of a boozy, medicinal phenols also appears, which blends in with the added spices, including cinnamon and nutmeg. Dark wheat malt aromas come out too, with notes of pumpernickel bread and even a touch of cocoa. Very complex and highly unconventional. 4.5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate sweetness arrives first, which accentuates the cakey malt quality and integrates seamlessly with the baked pumpkin flavors. The yeast notes attenuate slightly, though a flash of mild to moderate tartness brings forward strains of bubblegum and banana bread to meet the earthy cinnamon flavor. A mild bitterness in the finish accompanies the spices with a booziness that brings out their warmer qualities, as well as some slight yeast earthiness. Balance hits its stride here, with an excellent synergy between the pumpkin profile and the weizen character. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Moderate to heavy body, with a strong creaminess that goes well with the cake-like flavors. It is balanced by a slight carbonic bite as well as the beer’s penetrating yet smooth alcoholic warmth and hot cinnamon aftertaste. Akin to a warm pumpkin pie in a bottle. 5/5

Overall: An excellent merger of the pumpkin paradigm and the dunkelweizen style, with a good balance between pumpkin, spice, and other unique flavors. I don’t hesitate to call it a true pumpkin beer, yet it is well beyond the standards of one. 5/5

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PUMPKIN ALE – CAPTAIN LAWRENCE – Pumpkin Ale – 5.50% ABV

Appearance: Poured a somewhat dark reddish orange-brown with a one finger, light beige head. Only a small amount of carbonation can be seen, as there is a slight haze in addition to the dark color. 3.5/5

Smell: Begins with a leafy pumpkin aroma and a fresh, earthy, almost vegetal hop presence as well that is fairly unique. Strains of nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon filter through as well, which add somewhat the dark, austere seeming rendition of the pumpkin flavor. A mild caramel malt comes up in the background. A little unusual but surprisingly balanced and quite unique indeed. 3.5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate tartness kicks in first, and though it doesn’t overstate the light, fermented pumpkin flavor, it brings out a mild apple fruitiness. Sweetness is very mild, and unfortunately doesn’t highlight the malt character quite enough, though the spices are also fairly restrained, being mostly a faint overtone of nutmeg. In the finish, a hop character that features slight resinous and earthy qualities appears with a mild bitterness. Very mild overall, and though it has some interesting qualities, is a bit scattered in their presentation. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, though the mild to moderate carbonation helps add a bit of expressiveness that makes the beer seem a little fuller and juicier. Virtually no alcoholic heat, though the finish is surprisingly long. 3.5/5

Overall: Singular among pumpkin beers in its choice of hops and general aesthetic, but a little bit too unfocused and generally mild to make a strong impression. 3.5/5

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‘IMPERIAL PUMPKIN SPRUCE STOUT’ – ROCK ART – Pumpkin Stout – 8.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a deep, dark red-amber with a one finger, beige head. There is a moderate to light amount of carbonation, though this is slightly obscured by a faint haziness. 3.5/5

Smell: Pungent aromas of woody, minty pine needles and herbal tobacco are at the forefront, comprising the role of hops in this beer. The malt character consists of an undercurrent of cocoa and roasted coffee, where a mild pumpkin note mingles as well. Impressive and interesting, though almost overwhelming in its intensity. 4/5

Taste: Moderate to strong bitterness hits hard initially bringing out some extremely dark chocolate flavors while pushing back the spruce notes. However, a very mild sweetness and almost complete lack of tartness fail to highlight many other flavors, including the pumpkin. A bit too strong, and one-note, disappointing. 2.5/5

Mouthfeel: Moderate to heavy body that features a slightly syrupy oiliness that pairs with the pine flavors. This heaviness is balanced by medium carbonation, though, which provides a burst of freshness. Alcohol heat is present but not too strong. Well-crafted and manages to improve the flavor slightly. 4/5

Overall: Fascinating ideas here, but unfortunately this doesn’t fully translate in the execution. A bit harsh and lacking in diversity in the flavor department, but still not too bad. 3.5/5

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‘FAT JACK’ – SAM ADAMS – Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 8.50% ABV

Appearance: Poured a dark amber brown with a one finger, light tawny beige head. Even though the body is too dark to see any sediment, a fair amount of carbonation can slightly be seen. 4/5

Smell: Nice bready roasted malt that has notes of nuts and a slight smokiness which bring an interesting perspective to the moderate pumpkin flavor. Fair quantity of spices as well, though they are mostly the traditional allspice and cinnamon. Hop aroma is a slight herbal/earthy tone under the smoke. Not in your face, but very solid, clean, and inviting. 4/5

Taste: Very smooth initial sweetness that grows to a moderate intensity, bringing out the richness of the malt that intertwines with the roasted pumpkin flesh. Some slight raisin-like notes appear as well, along with a mild to moderate tartness and a splash of heady pumpkin spice. Mild bitterness comes in the finish, though the leafy hop tones are given extra weight by a lick of alcohol flavor. Very rich, fairly complex, and dessert-like, never drying out completely in the finish. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body, perhaps even heavier, as the moderate alcoholic heat and thick, slightly syrupy mouthfeel help accentuate the weight of the malt. Carbonation helps accentuate some of the tartness, though it is still quite smooth. Seems slightly unrefined, though it’s a good fit for the flavors. 4/5

Overall: A good, thick pumpkin ale that doesn’t overdo any of the flavors and has some interesting dynamics over the course of the drink. Ample sweetness helps accentuate the pumpkin and bready malt backbone out of the complexity of flavors. 4/5