Beer Review #49 – Pumpkin Beers (Redux) (Pt. 4)

Lakefront’s ’25th Anniversary Imperial Pumpkin’

If you haven’t taken a look, check out my first, second, and third pumpkin beer reviews of this year to catch up.

Aging a beer in barrels (typically oak) is a good way to add subtle wood-like notes that are usually a good pair for malt-driven or high alcohol beers. Using barrels that had been previously used to age other alcohols, such as rum, whiskey, or (in the case of Lakefront’s 25th Anniversary Imperial Pumpkin) brandy, will add touches of these liquors’ flavors as well. The pumpkin beer style is especially well adapted to this treatment, as the firm earthiness of the pumpkin is a great match for the wood notes, and the spices blend nicely into the spirits.

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’25th ANNIVERSARY IMPERIAL PUMPKIN’ – LAKEFRONT – Imperial Pumpkin Lager aged in brandy barrels – 8.00% ABV (Eye Choir’s Choice)

Appearance: Poured a sturdy orange-brown with light peach highlights and a one finger, light orange-tan head. There is a slight haziness in the body though it is still easy to see the mild carbonation present. 4.5/5

Smell: Prominent spiciness with solid doses of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. A sharp vanilla note also appears, bringing out some varnished oak and boozy currant and brandy notes. A roasted pumpkin aroma underscores these vaporous odors along with a distinct but soft malt character involving brown sugar and biscuit aromas. Pairing of pumpkin and spice with the sharp brandy aromas is unusual but brings a lot to the table. Incredibly complex and singular among any other pumpkin beer I’ve had. 5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate, toned-down sweetness amplifies the fleshy gourd, which mingles with flakey graham cracker flavors as well. A solid kick of booze also initially highlights the heady brandywine flavor. This helps bring out cherry liqueur and vanilla notes, while the remaining spices are more subtle. A sudden transition to a mild to moderate tartness unifies the pumpkin with the almost medicinal fruit notes, as the sweetness begins to abate. In the boozy finish, a mild, clean bitterness sweeps in with toasty wood and a suggestion of earthy cinnamon bark. Very dynamic, providing a unique contrast to the aroma. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Moderate body, with a strong alcoholic heat that ignites the spice and wood aromas long into the finish. Carbonation is very mild, though there is a little kick noticeable along with the tartness. Reasonably smooth but there is a slight burn on the first few sips. 4/5

Overall: Excellent interplay between the hot oaky brandy flavors and the pumpkin spices, though the pumpkin and malt as a support system certainly aren’t underplayed. Many details can be found in each aspect of it; definitely one to sip very slowly though. 4.5/5

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‘YUNKIN’ PUNKIN” – MANAYUNK – Pumpkin Ale – 5.50% ABV

Appearance: Poured a somewhat light brown with traces of orange and a two-finger, off-tan head. The body is very transparent, displaying a moderate carbonation. 3.5/5

Smell: Toasted malt profile that features bread and peanuts and blends in with a moderate earthy pumpkin aroma. A little bit of spice, primarily allspice and cinnamon with a touch of clove comes out. A hint of earthy hops in the finish anchors everything together. Interesting aromas which have a cohesive aesthetic. 4/5

Taste: Mild sweetness brings out some of the details of the malt, especially a crumbly graham cracker sort of flavor, though this overshadows the pumpkin flavor quite a bit. A very mild tartness along with the mild bitterness in the finish pull the earthy spices in with a nutty squash aftertaste. Reasonably well balanced, though the pumpkin could stand to be stronger. Firmly on the mild side. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, though the carbonation is balanced enough that it is not too light for the flavor, and remains reasonably smooth, even slightly creamy. No alcoholic heat, though there is a hop freshness in the last moments of the finish. Appropriate but pretty average. 3/5

Overall: Nicely done malt flavors, but even though the beer is pretty well-balanced, the spices are very standard and the pumpkin is a bit too subdued. Drinkable and balanced but somewhat lacking originality. 3.5/5

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‘ICHABOD’ – NEW HOLLAND – Pumpkin Ale – 5.50% ABV

Appearance: Poured a slightly dark brown with orange highlights and a one-finger, eggshell head. There is some haziness as well, but a moderate to strong carbonation can still be readily seen. 3.5/5

Smell: Nice whiff of baked pumpkin in addition to a spice profile that features an earthy nutmeg and cinnamon. Malt character falls behind the pumpkin somewhat, but does feature mild notes of turbinado sugar and toffee. A little simple but well-balanced and very pleasant. 3.5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate sweetness brings out the bready, caramel malt flavors, though the pumpkin is still here in force, coupled with a slight tartness that hints at its vegetal side. The nutmeg dominant spice profile is lean, but clear, matching the richness of the malt and pumpkin. Bitterness is mild, and the finish reveals a slight boozy flavor along with some faint hop freshness. Extremely well balanced and not as mild as the aroma, though still following the basic pumpkin ale prototype. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, with a rich chewy mouthfeel that further highlights the malt character. Yet, there is a crisp carbonation that helps offset this and makes the finish quite clean, save for the faintest of alcoholic heat. Has some moderate dynamics, and a good match for the flavor. 4/5

Overall: A very conventional pumpkin ale, with flavors that aren’t overly complex, though their balance and clarity are good and the beer is overall quite satisfying, even a bit hearty. 4/5

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‘UBU PUMPKIN ALE’ – LAKE PLACID – Pumpkin Ale – 6.50% ABV

Appearance: Poured a brackish dark brown with a one-finger, medium tan head. The body is too dark to see much through it, though a little bit of carbonation is visible just under the head. 4/5

Smell: Sturdy toasted malt and pumpkin blend together, producing notes of nutty squash thick toffee, and even faint touches of raisin. Strains of nutmeg and clove filter through in the background along with a mild earthy yet fresh hop character. Unique without being particularly experimental; inviting and nicely balanced. 4/5

Taste: Mild sweetness highlights the bready and treacle components of the malt, though a mild to moderate tartness really brings the plummy dark fruit and allspice into the forefront. This pairs with subtle rounded gourd notes and brings out acidic malt flavors like dark chocolate. Mild to moderate bitterness in the finish displays some resinous hop flavors, with a mild spice character only peeking through in the aftertaste. A little restrained on the spices and pumpkin, but still very well balanced and quite tasty. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light to moderate body, with a crisp carbonation which mirrors the ample acidity and long, freshly bitter finish. Mouthfeel is a little bit sticky, though not thick, which is an interesting pair for the fruit and hop flavors. Only a hint of alcoholic heat. 4/5

Overall: A pumpkin beer that holds close to its roots as an amber ale. Spice and pumpkin components are added somewhat conservatively, but when they do appear they integrate well into an otherwise well-crafted, solid beer. 4/5