This review was imported from my RateBeer ratings.

10/07/2022
It's been 3 years since I last tried this beer. When I saw the pumpkin variety pack in the store, I decided it was time for me to update my review of this beer, as well as the other varieties in the pack.

12 oz. bottle, 8.4% ABV, Experience by: 05FEB23

AROMA: Subdued scents of cloves, pumpkin, alcohol, orange zest.

APPEARANCE: Pours a hazy orange-caramel color with a tall, light tan head that dissipates slowly with very nice lacing.

TASTE: Moderately sweet with a slight sourness on the finish. There is definite pumpkin flavor with light amounts of clove and nutmeg, and just a hint of cinnamon. The finish is moderate with more of that unsweetened pumpkin and clove flavors.

MOUTHFEEL: Full-bodied with soft carbonation and a creamy texture. This feels very luxurious on the tongue!

OVERALL: I think I actually like this 2022 vintage better than the 2019. The aroma is about the same as the 2019, but everything else about the 2022 vintage is better. The 2022 has a better head with much better lacing, the mouthfeel is much more luxurious, and I find the flavor to be better balanced. In my book, I think this is as close to the perfect pumpkin beer as I've ever had. Pumpkin is the star flavor, supporting flavors are not overpowering, it's not overly sweet, and it has a nice creamy texture. What's not to like?

For comparison purposes, my original review from 10/12/2019 is below, along with the rating I gave it in each category.

12 oz. Bottle.

AROMA (6/10): Subdued scent of pumpkin pie with all the spices.

APPEARANCE (3/5): Pours a hazy orange-caramel color with a light tan head that dissipates quickly.

TASTE (8/10): Moderately sweet with a slight sourness on the finish. There is definite pumpkin flavor with a fair amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, and just a hint of cloves.

MOUTHFEEL (3/5): Medium-bodied with soft carbonation and a slick texture.

OVERALL (15/20): This is the third beer that I've tried from the "Pumpkin Pack", and, so far, this is my least favorite of the bunch. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with this beer. It's just that the other 2 were very good and quite unique in what they had to offer. While this one is more like your typical pumpkin beer. Although, it's nowhere as sweet as other typical pumpkin beers (which is a plus in my book). Also, I notice that in the description it says that the alcohol content was 9.5%, while the bottle I drank says 8.4%. From what I experienced, I would say that the lower alcohol content is probably for the best. Because if it were higher, I think the alcohol taste would start to overwhelm the pumpkin flavor. And right now, it seems like a good balance.

Clear burnt orange pour minimal head. Nose is all spice,cinnamon and pumpkin. Taste of chewy pumpkin, salty pumpkin seeds (which I’m cravin), all spice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Well balanced. Booze is slightly present on finish. Overall a good pumpkin ale.

Tap at One. Aroma is spicy as expected. Cinnamon, sweetness, brown sugar. Taste is alright, feels a bit more vegetable like than I would normally associate with pumpkin beers. Sweetness is more boozy than sugary.

Bottle thanks to Joe. Pours a dark amber with small beige head that diminishes quickly. The aroma is caramel, cinnamon, booze. Slick body, strong spice, caramel, bready malt, boozy finish, good.

Refrigerated 22 oz. brown bottle poured into a glass. Hazy burnt orange with small white head. Aroma is pumpkin, medium body, medium carbonation, and little lacing. Taste is malty pumpkin and nutmeg.

$9.29 bomber, Wine Warehouse. Pours slightly hazy orange with a small off-white head. Aroma is pumpkin guts, light spice, light caramel. Flavor is a lots spicier than the nose led me to believe: good nutmeg, cinnamon, light ginger, pumpkin guts, caramel, light vanilla. Very nice. Not too much spice, but well balanced and poundable (which is a problem at 8.4%, which my bottle says).