Category: Smashed Pumpkins

Slice of Pumpkin Pie Ale

On By RbostonIn Pick of The Week, Smashed Pumpkins, UncategorizedLeave a comment

1st off, this beer should be called “Slice of Heaven!” — Of all the pumpkin beers I have tried in 8+ years, I have never had one better than this! Elysian Night Owl is amazing and tough competition, but this takes the pie.

It’s not too hoppy. It’s not too ale-y. It is just perfect! I could drink a whole 6-pack and then another one. This is the type of beer that should be paired with a blanket and a hayride on a cool October Eve or a trip to the bone-yard [if you catch my drift].

From the website: Brewed with the finest imported barley and wheat, blended with local farm-fresh whole pumpkin pureé. Wildflower honey and traditional American pumpkin pie spices such as cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger culminate to make this iconic autumn treat.

Pumpkin Score: 10 out of 5 Pumpkins.

It’s a smash getting smashed with this beer.

New England Downeast Unfiltered Craft Cider

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I tried this on tap last year and I would say in the can it is better. This is great for a one and done, not something you could keep drinking all night as it is really tart and sweet. But definitely RAEminds me of a bonfire on a chilly night with friends and a nice vegan s’more. Mmmm.

From another pumpkin beer enthusiast:

“Pours an opaque tan Apple Cider color with orange edges. It smells familiar like Apple Cider with some fall type Pumpkin Pie spices. The taste is Apple Cider, Pumpkin Pie spices; big cinnamon, clove, and allspice. The mouth-feel is medium with light carbonation. The finish is apple, and warming fall spice. The 5% abv is just about undetectable.”

Pumpkin Score: 3 out of 5 Pumpkins

Leinenkugel’s Limited Release Harvest Patch Shandy

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Crisp weiss beer with a natural pumpkin spice flavor!

You had me at crisp! This beer is the BEST pumpkin beer I have had– I know I have said this before, but I had not had this yet. It’s crisp, wheat and pumpkin-y, but not overload. It’s absolutely delicious. It’s almost a combo of a wheat beer with a cider, but not as sweet. You HAVE to try this if you can get your hands on it.

From Leinekugel’s website: “Satisfy your thirst for autumn with our Leinenkugel’s® Harvest Patch®Shandy. It’s their traditional weiss beer with natural pumpkin spice flavor to give you notes of nutmeg, allspice and clove for a refreshing fall seasonal. It’s crisp and smooth, just like a perfect fall day on the Leinie Side. “

ABV. 4.2%
IBU. 11
AVAIL. Sep – Oct

Pairs with: spicy chili or caramel flan.

Pumpkin Score: 6 out of 5 Pumpkins!

I could drink this all day and night without it being too sweet, or pumpkin-y and then

Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast Pumpkin Spiced Rum

On By RbostonIn Smashed Pumpkins, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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  • Pumpkin Spice Mixed with Rum! Umm… Need I say more?!
  • Pumpkin Bottle=LOVE
  • The group took it as a shot, but I actually sipped on it. I really enjoyed it!
  • Think it would be really good with Coca-Cola/Pepsi
  • Or it would also be a good pair with Pumpkin Ale and maybe a splash of ginger beer or ale? Topped with some cinnamon sugar? Hmmm
  • Great consistency/nice finish

Pumpkin Score: 5 out of 5 Pumpkins!

Company Score: 15 out of 5 Pumpkins!

*Thanks to the lad that purchased this! He is a real BLAST as well. 

 

Southern Tier: Pumpking- Rum Barrel Aged

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  • I would say this is better than the original Pumpking
  • Nice switch with the Rum flavor
  • Easy to drink
  • Smells amazing
  • Always RAEmember to drink RAEsponsibly

ABOUT THE BEER
STYLE: Imperial Pumpkin Ale Aged in Rum Barrels
BREWED SINCE: Back for 2016!
ABV: 9.6%
FERMENTATION: Pumking, but aged in Rum Barrels
COLOR: Bright, deep copper
EFFERVESCENCE: Ample
NOSE: vanilla, brandy, subtle stone fruit, slightly boozy
FLAVOR: honey sweetness, graham cracker, vanilla, mild caramel. Full, rich, alcoholic warming sensation which increases drastically as it warms
BITTERNESS: Moderate
BODY: Light
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 40-50°F
GLASS: Snifter, goblet or stemmed glass

Pumpkin Scale: 4 out of 5 Pumpkins

Doc’s Draft Pumpkin Hard Apple Cider

On By RbostonIn Smashed Pumpkins, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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Had this gem on top of a friend’s homemade Apple, Cinnamon, Nutmeg Sangria. Ah-may-zing!

A seasonal cider made with roasted pumpkins, cinnamon, allspice, fresh ginger and nutmeg. (6% alcohol)

  • Nice change to typical cider beer
  • Tad sweet
  • Nice finish
  • Perfectly paired as a topping to a Fall Sangria

Warwick Vallery Winery: Available Aug 15 – Oct 15

 

Pumpkin Scale: 3.5 out of 5 Pumpkins

Harpoon UFO Pumpkin

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Harpoon’s UFO Pumpkin beer was pretty good, but nothing crazy. Easy to drink more than one as it was not too sweet, but I really didn’t get too much of the pumpkin-y taste that I was hoping for.

Sharing it with a handsome gentlemen definitely was better than it tasted.

Tasting Notes

  • Appearance:  Amber and orange with a slight haze
  • Aroma:  Malty with hints of pumpkin and spice
  • Mouth feel:  Slightly sweet and smooth
  • Taste:  A solid malt backbone highlighting German Vienna and Munich malts with a nice dose of pumpkin and spice, reminiscent of pumpkin pie
  • Finish:  Easy drinking with a lingering pumpkin aftertaste on the back of the tongue

Pumpkin Score: 2 out of 5 Pumpkins!

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McKenzie’s Pumpkin Jack Hard Cider

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McKenzie’s “Pumpkin Jack” Fall Seasonal Hard Cider!

  • VERY Sweet
  • Reminded me and my date of a mulled spiced wine
  • Not terrible, but I personally couldn’t drink more than 1

I could, however, rate my company a 10 and he could drink two. He liked it. It reminded him of home….. Since he lives in a mulled spiced wine factory next to a dumpster. 🙂

Pumpkin Score: 1 out of 5 Pumpkins

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New Belgium Brewing Co.: Pumpkick

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This has been the best Pumpkin beer I have tried to date. [too bad it turned me down]… badum ching! 

I found this at The Local in Astoria on draft. Not sure if it was the two autumn cocktails before at DiWine, but this beer was just perfect. Once again, being surrounded with great company makes everything taste better.

 

Pumpkin Score: 6 out of 5 Pumpkins

Smoked Pumpkin @ The Rickey – Dream Hotel Midtown

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  • 1 oz Ketel One Orange
  • 1 oz Ilegal Mezcal
  • .25 oz Lime juice
  • 2 Bar-spoons of Pumpkin Butter
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Long orange twist and sprinkle of flaked smoked salt to garnish

210 West 55th St, 646-756-2054, therickey.com

This cocktail was AMAZING! So amazing, I had two, could have had 4, but had to go test other pumpkin beers and cocktails. I also had amazing company to partake in this cocktail which probably made it taste even better. 🙂

I would also suggest this bar as a romantic date night regardless. Very sexy, comfortable and the service was outstanding!

Thank you, The Rickey for being Awesome. PUMP’d to see you again soon.

Pumpkin Score: 7 out of 5 pumpkins!