Lovely autumnal barrel aged ale with sweet maple syrup draping pumpkin-spiced nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger upon candied bourbon molasses midst. Ancillary oaken vanilla tannins contrast brown-sugared gingerbread spicing and wispy orange peel zesting while tertiary Armagnac brandy, flaked almond and toffee illusions add further complexity.
All posts by John Fortunato
BRONX TATTOOED PUMPKIN
On tap at Rebar – Lodi and Plank Pizza, unique pumpkin-spiced India Pale Ale stays soft-toned as lightly caramelized pumpkin spicing gathers around brown-sugared gingerbread and creamy vanilla-chocolate aspect fending off any true stylish IPA-like citrus pining. Latent acorn squash sweetness enhances salted pumpkin toastiness mingling with autumnal cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and coriander seasoning.
LONE PINE PUMPKIN PARTY
On tap at Ambulance, brown-sugared pumpkin pie spicing crowds mild acorn-butternut squash stint upfront. Lightly creamed vanilla sweetness guards autumnal nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and ginger seasoning.
CAPE MAY PICK OF THE BATCH PUMPKIN ALE
On tap at Pompton Craft House, brown sugar-rimmed cinnamon and nutmeg spicing gains sweet vanilla creaming for maple-glazed roasted pumpkin base of striking soft-toned autumnal moderation.
SHIP BOTTOM IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ALE
On tap at Plank Pizza, busily boozy pumpkin ale brings molasses-soaked gingerbread sweetness, subtly brown-sugared nutmeg and clove spicing plus light vanilla bean influence to brown chocolate base, picking up tertiary banana bread, red cherry and red grape snips.
INVERTASE 425 PUMPKIN
On tap at Plank Pizza, brown-sugared cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger conflux sweetens pumpkin puree center. Mild lactic vanilla creaming adds heft to moderate-medium bodied fall fare.
URBAN ARTIFACT JACK PUMPKIN
On tap at Plank Pizza, sour yellow-cleared ‘fruit tart’ autumnal ale allows lemony green grape acidity and wafting compost soiling to rise above sweet ginger-leafed cinnamon spicing.
GREY SAIL HEADLESS ORSMAN PUMPKIN ALE
On tap at Seven Lakes Station, pumpkin pureed cinnamon, ginger and clove seasoning given mild perfume musk and sight herbal tease for middling Sleepy Hollow-inspired Halloween sendup.
SPELLBOUND ESTER’S PUMPKIN ALE
Glaringly perfumed boozy esters give undetermined pumpkin ale its phenolic amber-grained Scotch edge, limiting autumnal cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger spicing, candied yam sweetness, squash earthiness and oaken vanilla musk.
JERSEY CYCLONE LEAF KEEPER SPICED ALE
On tap at Plank Pizza, soft toned autumnal pumpkin spicing recedes a tad as lightly perfumed ginger herbage infiltrates dainty cinnamon-nutmeg-cardamom conflux. In the midst, dewy butternut squash and maple-glazed almond contrast slight black tea bittering.
UNTIED TURKEY TOWN LAGER MARZEN
On tap at Plank Pizza, festive German-styled marzen cakes dewy peat moss with mild brown-sugared pumpkin spicing as subtle chestnut snips and buttered brown breading reach fleeting caramelized whiskey back.
SALTY TURTLE OKTOBERFEST
Off-dry marzen with leafy Hallertau/Perle hop herbage, raw honeyed orange oiling and mild pumpkin spicing careening thru doughy pilsner malts. Betters most nebulous autumnal fodder with its richer body and darker copper hue.