I think I may have found my favorite pumpkin beer (to date) to fall on the porter-stout style spectrum. As a collaboration between Elysian Brewing Company and 21st Amendment Brewery, it seems like it is destined to be a one-off release. That’s a damn shame, because it does a great job of balancing the bold malt with the sometimes-shy pumpkin flavors, a task I’ve seen quite a few competent breweries struggle with. Let’s hope it sees a re-release, or at least another collaboration next season.

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‘HE SAID’ – 21ST AMENDMENT (feat. ELYSIAN) – Baltic Pumpkin Porter – 8.20% ABV (Eye Choir’s Choice)

Appearance: Poured a very dark brown to black with ruby highlights and a one finger, creamy reddish-tan head. The body is far too dark to see any other features. 4.5/5

Smell: A firm roasted malt base aroma encompasses notes from toasted bread to treacle and dark chocolate, and serves to complement a milder but distinct roasted pumpkin note. Spice aromas feature touches of earthy cinnamon and anise that heighten the texture of the other ingredients. A touch of sticky prunes comes out in the background. Quite complex and has a lot of subtlety without breaking the baltic porter mold. 4.5/5

Taste: Mild sweetness really amplifies the plummy notes which, in turn, synergize well with the molasses quality of the malt and the caraway spice notes. A mild to moderate tartness takes the rich roasted flavor and incorporates a woody, almost herbaceous pumpkin that is hearty enough to stand out from the other dark notes. This flavor lasts well into the mild to moderately bitter finish, where dry herbal and spicy hop notes coalesce with touches of cinnamon and mace. This beer has so many interesting flavors, but it is superbly balanced, never even coming across as overtly unusual. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy body, with a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel that in part compensates for the lack of sweetness in its ability to highlight the malt. Carbonation adds slightly to the tartness, but is fairly brief and smooth. Alcoholic heat is a mild to moderate, yet unobtrusive warmth in the throat. 4.5/5

Overall: Isn’t necessarily striking at first glance, but between a strong sense of balance and lots of fascinating subtleties, this beer is wonderfully solid with surprisingly delicate sensibilities. 4.5/5

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‘GRUNTLED PUMPKIN’ – R.J. ROCKER’S – Pumpkin Ale – 7.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a light rusty orange with a two-finger, light beige head. Ample carbonation is readily visible in the nearly totally transparent body. 3/5

Smell: Predominant aroma is of a lightly toasted whole wheat bread malt, with some earthy pumpkin notes in the background that along with some mild yeast notes form a distinctly chalky aroma. This goes along with a spice profile that features mostly nutmeg. Needs better balance, and a lack of complexity makes the combination of aromas a little monotonous. 2.5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate sweetness that reaffirms the wheat flavors of the malt, though the yeast flavors add a musty sourdough that becomes a little cloying. A mild to moderate tartness has similar effect, also bringing out notes of peach and citrus. In the finish, a mild bitterness allows the pumpkin to show its face with some flowery ginger and nutmeg. A few interesting flavors, but unfortunately still fairly unbalanced 3/5

Mouthfeel: Moderate to light body, with a strong hit of carbonation that makes the tart flavors feel a bit overdone. However, the mouthfeel is surprisingly creamy, allowing there to be some semblance of balance and brings the spices out in the finish with a slight alcoholic heat. 3.5/5

Overall: Somewhat unbalanced, with unnecessary yeast flavors that don’t go well with the malt and bury the subtle pumpkin and spice. Could be a unique take on the pumpkin beer style if these issues were fixed though. 3/5

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‘JACQUES AU LANTERN’ – EVOLUTION – Pumpkin Ale – 6.30% ABV

Appearance: Poured a slightly reddish moderate orange-brown with a one-finger, off-white head. The body is slightly hazy, with a bit of particulate sediment but no carbonation visible. 3.5/5

Smell: Distinct Belgian yeast character heads up the aroma, with notes of banana, pear, and a slight earthy funk that incorporates elements of a starchy roasted pumpkin. Spices are on the subtle side, with notes of allspice coming out from under the fruit. Slightly chalky whole wheat bread aroma serves as a backbone. Different, with some decent balance, though surprisingly not particularly complex. 4/5

Taste: Mild to moderate sweetness helps blend the bready, slightly honeyed malt character with the lightly roasted squash flavors, though a mild to moderate tartness also emphasizes some of the more leafy, vegetal aspects here. The sour flavors also magnify the fermented fruit notes, though the coriander-infused yeast spiciness makes it hard to pick out any autumn spices. Mild bitterness leads to a vaguely earthy finish, with some pumpkin still present. Not especially deep or well-layered, but gets some tasty flavors out of the Belgian yeast nonetheless. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body, with a surprisingly crisp, biting carbonation that really pushes the funky tartness to the surface, though the mouthfeel is still relatively smooth. A touch of alcoholic heat in the finish brings back the light-natured but solid malt. 3.5/5

Overall: Belgian flavors reminiscent of a tripel take the spotlight here, though balance is reasonably well-rounded. No obvious downsides, but a little on the plain side, despite the unique style. 3.5/5

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PUMPKIN ALE – OLD FORGE – Pumpkin Ale – 4.60% ABV

Appearance: Poured a fairly light golden orange with peach highlights and a two-finger, eggshell head. The body is quite transparent, showing moderate carbonation. 4/5

Smell: Pleasant mild, earthy baked pumpkin aroma that blends in with a lightly toasted malt with touches of roasted peanuts and brown sugar. Spices are also somewhat mild, with primarily vanilla and clove noticeable. Light without seeming insubstantial or boring, though it is very traditional. 3.5/5

Taste: Immediate mild moderate tartness really highlights the slightly raw pumpkin puree blended with vanilla and cinnamon. However, a mild to moderate sweetness brings out a notable graham cracker with a touch of whipped cream flavor from the malt, though it has a very mellow character. The finish has a mild, clean bitterness with an off-dry character that highlights the vegetal aspect of the pumpkin along with a trace of grassy hops. Light but well-defined and balanced. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, with a distinctly smooth and slightly creamy mouthfeel that is propped up by a mild kick of carbonation. Not at all watery, though the flavor intensity is just mild enough to be incredibly drinkable. 4/5

Overall: Manages to include some thought-provoking flavors into a beer which is decidedly light but well-balanced and not empty feeling. Lack of intensity keeps this from being super impressive but given that attribute, quite good. 4/5