Review: Shipyard Brewing Smashed Pumpkin

One of the things that I love about Columbus is that we are not lacking for good beer and it’s not hard to find either.  Even your local grocery store will have craft beer to offer!

However this does mean that it can be difficult when shopping for beers to review.  So many options!

Up for review this week is Shipyard’s Smashed Pumpkin in the Pugsley’s Signature Series.

 

 

Smell: 4/5 :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin:

Great pumpkin smell right outta the gate.  While the pumpkin smell is subtle, the spices come through strong but not in an overpowering way.

When you smell this brew, it’s clear that it’s a pumpkin and fall inspired ale.  This is exactly what you’re looking for with pumpkin ales.

Color: 5/5 :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin:

Shipyard has done the perfect color for this beer! It’s a great bright orange color and also very cloudy.  I personally don’t like a beer that has been super filtered, allowing you to see through it.  I want some heft to my beer and I’ll take a cloudy beer any day.

I honestly couldn’t stop admiring this beer once it was poured.  In regards to color, it’s the perfect looking pumpkin ale.

Head: 3/5 :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin:

The head didn’t last long but it was present.  A lovely cream color to go nicely with the orange of the pumpkin ale. One of the better heads that we’ve seen on a pumpkin ale.

Taste: 5/5 :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin: :pumpkin:

Winner winner, pumpkin dinner! This was hands down, the best ale we’ve tried yet (YET is the key word here, we still have two more to go!)!  It was amazing and exactly what I want out of a pumpkin ale.

The pumpkin and spice flavors were spot on.  Not too spicy but not so little that the flavor went away quickly.  The pumpkin flavor was strong at the start with the spice flavor finishing it up at the end.  Scott felt that this had a more nutmeg kick to it than other ales and thought it was the most detectable at the finish.

The ale was cool and had a completely clean and crisp taste to it which is essential for pumpkin brews.  It’s a delicate balance creating a pumpkin ale. Too heavy and it will seem sweet and aggressive.  Too light and you won’t know it’s a pumpkin ale.

Shipyard’s Smashed Pumpkin is right on the money.  Very refreshing with a clean crisp taste to it.

A great sipping beer or would go well with salty snacks.

Summary:

I would definitely purchase this ale again.  I had yet to find a pumpkin ale that could stand up to my beloved Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale until this ale came into my life. I’m highly bummed out that we only purchased one bottle.  I need to get more!

I highly recommend this beer.  It’s a great interpretation of a pumpkin ale and a great seasonal brew to have on hand.

Would be great to have at a fall backyard BBQ or maybe to hand out to the parents during trick or treating.  Just a suggestion! They need a treat too!

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin

3 thoughts on “Review: Shipyard Brewing Smashed Pumpkin

      • Taylor (Columbus IIN student!) says:

        Thanks so much! My friend is a huge fan of Shipyard Pumpkinhead but it’s nowhere in Columbus! I’ll have to tell her about this one.

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