The pumpkin beer reviews for 2011 have been completed! We tested a great variety of brews this fall and even found a new favorite!
First up was a crowd favorite, Pumpking by Southern Tier. Sadly not a FE favorite at all.
Next was Shipyard Brewing’s Smashed Pumpkin, and won this year’s favorite!
Followed that up with Heavy Seas The Greater Pumpkin, a lovely barrel aged ale.
Last up was Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela, which sadly didn’t rate very high.
We ended the pumpkin ale season with a tasting at our favorite bar, Hal and Al’s.
This was a great season for tasting new pumpkin brews!
Were you able to get any pumpkin ales this season? Did you find a new favorite?
Up next? Perhaps some winter ale tastings!
If you’re into ales as much as we are, feel free to follow me on Untappd!
I tried Pumpking this year for the first time and I liked it. I also tried Blue Moon’s pumpkin beer (at a party – I didn’t buy it) and I didn’t like it at all. It tasted like normal beer, you couldn’t taste pumpkin or spices much.
Heidi, it is certainly a crowd pleaser! I agree with Blue Moon, very bland beer. And to think years and years ago it used to be my pumpkin beer of choice! Yikes!
I was really bummed about not being able to try pumpkin beers this year but found pumpkin cider. It’s naturally gluten-free and tastes like liquid pumpkin pie. I was so excited!
Andy had the Shipyard’s this year and loved it.
Amanda, I saw your pumpkin cider mention! I had Woodchuck’s pumpkin cider but sadly was unimpressed with it. I might try one of their darker ciders that you mentioned and see what kind of flavors those have.