09-27-2013, 05:29 AM
Wiperhunter2 referred me over to this brew review thread as I was discussing my favorite pumpkin beers on another thread about fall fishing and pumpkin beer. Anyway, here is a review of two of my favorites.
First is a from a local brewery in Salt Lake, Epic Brewing. Their Fermentation Without Representation is an imperial pumpkin porter. It is a big beer at 8% ABV, is as black as coffee and has a big, brown head on it. It has a hint of typical pumpkin pie spices, but also has a much richer flavor of roasty chocolate malts and a bit of vanilla. The pumpkin comes through, but it isn't super sweet, but more of a squashy, vegetable flavor. The mouth feel is soft and velvety. A very nice beer for a chilly October evening.
On the other end of the spectrum is Pumpkick from New Belgium. It is a much lighter beer in color and mouth feel. Carbonation is fairly lively. Pumpkin pie spices are more upfront in the mix, and there is a subtle tartness that gives it the kick of its namesake (thanks to the lemongrass and cranberry juice that has been added). I was afraid it would be very tangy and sour, but it's subtle and really adds a little something to set it apart from other pumpkin ales. Very nice.
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First is a from a local brewery in Salt Lake, Epic Brewing. Their Fermentation Without Representation is an imperial pumpkin porter. It is a big beer at 8% ABV, is as black as coffee and has a big, brown head on it. It has a hint of typical pumpkin pie spices, but also has a much richer flavor of roasty chocolate malts and a bit of vanilla. The pumpkin comes through, but it isn't super sweet, but more of a squashy, vegetable flavor. The mouth feel is soft and velvety. A very nice beer for a chilly October evening.
On the other end of the spectrum is Pumpkick from New Belgium. It is a much lighter beer in color and mouth feel. Carbonation is fairly lively. Pumpkin pie spices are more upfront in the mix, and there is a subtle tartness that gives it the kick of its namesake (thanks to the lemongrass and cranberry juice that has been added). I was afraid it would be very tangy and sour, but it's subtle and really adds a little something to set it apart from other pumpkin ales. Very nice.
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