1.15.2012 - Cheap off-season Pumpkin

Seriously.. screw the seasonal shit already.  Yea, it's great to have a nice crisp, bright, citrusy-esque beer in the summer.. and a warming, spiced beer in the winter.  But when the 'big' craft brewers have their seasonals coming out almost a full 2-3 months before the appropriate weather of said season, the seasonal gimmick has jumped the shark.  Wanna discuss more?  Follow me on Twitter.  Don't know it..  shoot me a message or comment.

That being said - I will never say no to a good beer, any time of year.  So when I found bombers of pumpkin beer that were originally $7 and they're marked at $3.. definitely cannot say no!

Long Trail Brewmaster's Series - Imperial Pumpkin - 8.0% ABV and 20 IBUs.   A very heady, somewhat viscous pour. Deep amber/copper in color, spice and warmth come off the nose immediately.  Sweet, thick caramel, canned pumpkin and muted spice.  It's fairly creamy for a pumpkin ale with thicker, sweet malts and convoluted spices.  Getting touches of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg - but not one of these comes out clean.. they just don't work well here.  The booze is a bit too strong, the malt backbone is thick, bready and sticky, but isn't big enough to support the slightly out-of-place alcohol bite.  On the plus side.. the pumpkin may come off as canned, but holds up well in the chaos that is the rest of the taste.  Sort of like a Winter Warmer had a Pumpkin baby.. not bad, not great, but not terrible.  Wouldn't rush out for this, but wouldn't say no to it on draft.

- - 5 Hops!