I just love fall - the turning leaves, football, and GREAT SEASONAL BEER!!! So I picked up a serious assortment to try and decided to dedicate some blog space to share it all with you. Here are my impressions (and those of this week's mystery guest taster) of the first six - look for more volumes to come!
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| Not sure whether this makes me really cool, or the world's biggest dork, but yes, this is a "beer photo shoot." Left to right: Saranac, Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams Flying Dog, Harpoon, Post Road |
Saranac Pumpkin Ale
This is a nice, mild pumpkin ale but with enough body and fizz to keep it interesting. It's not nearly as spicy as many of the others you taste, and has just a hint of pumpkin flavor so that is not overwhelming either. My mystery guest taster's assessment - "It smells like pumpkin, tastes like beer."
This is a nice, mild pumpkin ale but with enough body and fizz to keep it interesting. It's not nearly as spicy as many of the others you taste, and has just a hint of pumpkin flavor so that is not overwhelming either. My mystery guest taster's assessment - "It smells like pumpkin, tastes like beer."
Sierra Nevada Tumbler
This guy is billed as an "autumn brown ale" and it's pretty accurate. It's a darker beer but I have to say one of the smoothest I've had for being that dark - smooth but with some heft. To me it is sort of "nutty," with just a smidgen of bitter, hoppy after-taste, but trust me it is not overwhelming. After all it is still an ale.
This guy is billed as an "autumn brown ale" and it's pretty accurate. It's a darker beer but I have to say one of the smoothest I've had for being that dark - smooth but with some heft. To me it is sort of "nutty," with just a smidgen of bitter, hoppy after-taste, but trust me it is not overwhelming. After all it is still an ale.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
They change the brew on this every now and again but I think this year's is the same as last and I'm really glad - it's a personal favorite. It's really smooth but with a hint of spices - think pumpkin, cinnamon-like goodness. It's actually a good one if you like a hint of the seasonal flavors but don't want to be overwhelmed. And it is widely available in bars and restaurants so just ask for it.
They change the brew on this every now and again but I think this year's is the same as last and I'm really glad - it's a personal favorite. It's really smooth but with a hint of spices - think pumpkin, cinnamon-like goodness. It's actually a good one if you like a hint of the seasonal flavors but don't want to be overwhelmed. And it is widely available in bars and restaurants so just ask for it.
Flying Dog Imperial Pumpkin Ale
This one wins for the wackiest label - it is sub-titled "the Fear, from the Wild Dog series" and has a pretty creepy cartoon of a ghoulish wild dog on the front. Honestly, I like a lot of the beers from this brewery and this one is not bad either. Problem is, it just tastes like a very hoppy brew. I don't taste the pumpkin and spices coming through in the same way I do with a lot of the others. Decent beer, not that seasonal.
This one wins for the wackiest label - it is sub-titled "the Fear, from the Wild Dog series" and has a pretty creepy cartoon of a ghoulish wild dog on the front. Honestly, I like a lot of the beers from this brewery and this one is not bad either. Problem is, it just tastes like a very hoppy brew. I don't taste the pumpkin and spices coming through in the same way I do with a lot of the others. Decent beer, not that seasonal.
Harpoon Octoberfest
This is another mild one, with a light nutty flavor, also slightly malty. It comes from the Harpoon brewery out of Boston and Windsor, VT. It is just a generally pleasant, smooth beer. I'm inclined to try more from this brewery if I get the chance.
Post Road Pumpkin Ale
This is actually my favorite pumpkin ale, possibly my favorite of all the seasonals. It is has some serious pumpkin and a lot of spice so it's not sweet. I first had it on a fall trip to New England - it's actually brewed by Brooklyn Brewery in Utica, NY. I found it here at Total Wine the next season but it's getting harder to find locally, so if you see it definitely get some.
Hope you enjoyed this first installment of the Fall Beer Review. Look for the next one soon...as quickly as I can taste them all!
This is another mild one, with a light nutty flavor, also slightly malty. It comes from the Harpoon brewery out of Boston and Windsor, VT. It is just a generally pleasant, smooth beer. I'm inclined to try more from this brewery if I get the chance.
Post Road Pumpkin Ale
This is actually my favorite pumpkin ale, possibly my favorite of all the seasonals. It is has some serious pumpkin and a lot of spice so it's not sweet. I first had it on a fall trip to New England - it's actually brewed by Brooklyn Brewery in Utica, NY. I found it here at Total Wine the next season but it's getting harder to find locally, so if you see it definitely get some.
Hope you enjoyed this first installment of the Fall Beer Review. Look for the next one soon...as quickly as I can taste them all!
so do we get to know the identity of the "mystery taster"?
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