Since my first pumpkin beer review, I’ve learned a few things about what makes a good pumpkin beer. Firstly, it’s important that the vegetal, gourd flavor of the pumpkin itself have a prominent role. Some beers try to get away with simply using pumpkin spices, like nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, but these beers end up lacking as a result. Secondly, a pumpkin beer should ideally only use the pumpkin and spice flavors to elevate the base style of the beer (typically an amber ale, brown ale, or lager). Finally, fruit esters, complex malt flavors, and hop oils all have a role in making not just good beers but good pumpkin beers as well. Going beyond simple pale malts and bittering hops can greatly enhance the character of a pumpkin beer, even if it’s not an explicit part of the pumpkin beer format.

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HIPP-O-LANTERN – RIVER HORSE – Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 8.10% ABV (Eye Choir’s Top Choice)

Appearance: Poured a slightly translucent orange brown with gold highlights and a one finger, tan head. There is a lot of sediment visible, and due to the opacity, carbonation cannot be readily seen. 4.5/5

Smell: Lots of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and perhaps ginger, alongside a vegetal/grassy pumpkin combination with caramel/honey malts, as well as a strong background note of brown sugar or molasses. Very well-balanced, as the spice is a bit restrained compared to other imperial pumpkin ales, letting the pumpkin and malts shine through. 5/5

Taste: An immediate sweet/tart kick which amplifies the gingerbread, molasses and fermented pumpkin notes spectacularly. A moderate leafy, herbaceous hop bitterness rides out to the finish; this leads to a dynamic, but never imbalanced harmony. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy body, with a creamy, thick mouthfeel which is balanced by a moderate amount of carbonation. Alcoholic heat is restrained due to the strong flavors, but is still noticeable. 4.5/5

Overall: Certainly not a spice bomb, but rather masterfully well balanced, with good harmony between aroma and taste. Has the requisite weight for an imperial beer, especially one which purports itself to be for autumn. 5/5

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PUMPKIN ALE – SARANAC – Pumpkin Ale – 5.40% ABV

Appearance: Poured a moderately dark orange-brown with a one finger, off-white head. The body is very transparent, if a little dark, so a small carbonation is visible. 3.5/5

Smell: Predominant odor is slightly yeasty fermented pumpkin and herbal hops, with some spices such as allspice, nutmeg and vanilla and some weak pale malts. Definitely not enough malt and overall strength of aroma, but at least the spices are well-restrained. 3/5

Taste: Moderate to light bitterness combines with hop flavors and surprisingly tart pumpkin with a little sweetness from the clean grain malts. Spice and malt could still be a little stronger, but the pumpkin/hop balance is tasty and well-crafted. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with crisp tangy mouthfeel and cleansing finish. Pretty much no alcohol heat. Not fantastic but definitely quaffable. 3.5/5

Overall: A very light, sessionable pumpkin ale, though some of the flavors would still benefit from more presence, even for such a purposefully light, simple beer. 3.5/5

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‘HARVEST PUMPKIN ALE’ – SAM ADAMS – Pumpkin Ale – 5.70% ABV

Appearance: Poured a dark, slightly opaque reddish-brown with a one finger, tan head. It is too dark to see any carbonation. 4/5

Smell: Aroma is largely spicy, with predominantly nutmeg and clove with some cinnamon and other spices. There is a background of slightly nutty caramel malt and light fruits, even cherry, as well as a hint of pumpkin flesh. Almost too spicy overall. 3.5/5

Taste: Immediately sweet, which brings out the malt and even a mild cola-like flavor but unfortunately none of the pumpkin. Still, the mild to moderate bitterness lasts through to the more gourd-flavored finish, though there is little actual hop flavor to be found. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, with substantial carbonation which is almost too crisp but helps cut through the sweetness. Very mild alcoholic heat. 3/5

Overall: There is a fair amount of detail in the spice/malt flavors, but the spice to pumpkin ratio is way off. Needs more pumpkin and less sweet malt. 3.5/5

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‘POST ROAD PUMPKIN ALE’ – BROOKLYN – Pumpkin Ale – 5.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a translucent golden orange with a two finger, egg-shell head. Virtually no carbonation is visible. 4/5

Smell: Has a moderate pumpkin aroma balanced well with some milder caramel malts and spices including clove, nutmeg, and maybe even coriander. Has some noticeable hop aromas as well in the form of slightly sharp earthy/spicy hops. 3.5/5

Taste: Strong clean bitterness which brings out the foresty hop flavors and goes quite well with the pumpkin flavor. Spices are more subdued, and there is only a touch of malt sweetness present. Very clean with a moderate finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body, with a slight bite from carbonation which leads this beer to be refreshing and palate cleansing. Very smooth with no alcohol warmth. 4/5

Overall: Odd spice composition, but surprisingly light and well-balanced overall. Does a good job of not letting the pumpkin or spices take over; would be a reasonably good session beer even without these components. 4/5