On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, jutting vanilla-creamed pumpkin puree sweetness overrides stingy vegetal gourd earthiness and resinous hop foliage. Brown-sugared cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and clove spicing provides expected seasonality above honeyed Graham cracker backbone, but fails at efficiently amplifying meaty pumpkin frontage.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, casual dry-spiced medium body with laidback pumpkin pie entry gains sharp hop bite as muddled cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice seasoning splashes lively ginger herbage. A splash of spiced rum adds boozy tinge to phenol backdrop. In the bottle, 2014 version plied cinnamon-toasted pumpkin pie sweetness to light gingerbread, nutmeg and allspice illusions. On tap at Mac Murphy’s, more distinct 2016 version brought sparkly sugar spicing to pumpkin-pureed nutmeg-allspice-cinnamon seasoning, recessive pulpy pumpkin-seeded gourd vegetalia and subtle red cherry snips.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, flagship English strong ale given dryer fall-styled pumpkin spicing to combat sugary crystal malt sweetness. Brown-sugared dried fruiting and teasing cinnamon-clove-allspice seasoning contrast earthen gourd dryness. Lemony pumpkin puree finish feels too casual, but never goes adrift.
Crisply clean autumnal medium body places vegetal squash, butternut and fennel influences above subtle hop-spiced lemon pitted bittering and dry yellow wood shavings. Mild cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger seasoning coats its metallic edge. Dry earthen nature recalls English India Pale Ale and Extra Special Bitter stylings.
Affluent pumpkin puree spicing saddles plastique gin-soaked boozing and astringent hop sharpness up-front. For contrast, brown-sugared nutmeg, cinnamon and pecan illusions gain sweetness, picking up light vanilla sweetness over time. On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern one year hence (2014), subtle rum barrel aging adds sweeter pumpkin affluence to cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice spicing, picking up peppier carbolic spritz, friskier hop snap and gluey paper mache pasting.
Overcrowded flavor profile depletes patronizing pumpkin pie passivity. Brown-sugared nutmeg adds wintry bluster to autumnal ginger-spiced cinnamon-caraway-allspice seasoning. Murky black-peppered herbage picks up oily perfume-hopped musk and vodka smidge. Vegetal yam, gourd and fennel undertones add further tumultuous friction.
Enticingly dry oak-aged Belgian-style farmhouse ale stays delicate on the tongue as pumpkin-seeded lemon-drop souring tops herbal chamomile-ginger-eucalyptus conflux and soft wildflower-dandelion-hibiscus musk. Vegetal gourd, squash and zucchini influence reinforces raw pumpkin dessication. Acrid straw wheat, hay and horseblanket leathering permeates the backend.
Lively, crisp, easygoing Halloween treat brings luxurious pumpkin pie spicing to mild honeyed barley backbone. Cinnamon-toasted gingerbread, nutmeg, coriander and allspice decorate sweet-seasoned medium-bodied fare. Vanilla, sassafras and sugared yam illusions make cameos. On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Hoboken, 2016 draught version’s pumpkin puree-spiced gingerbread sweetness increased by a hair.
Nearly perfect pumpkin-spiced medium body (circa 2012) maintains crisp composure and nifty pumpkin-spiced sparkle. Advertised cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and clove elegantly season rum-spiced caramel malt creaming. Sugary dried-fruited fig, raisin, plum and black cherry undertones soften beneath cinnamon-toasted pumpkin pie theme. Fizzy carbolic briskness adds crystalline sparkle.
Nasty contract brewed version is completely indistinguishable and cheaply mass-produced. Nominal pumpkin spicing lost amongst carbolic phenol spicing and dreary candied malting. The worst updated recipe since Blue Point Toasted Lager. Useless.
Rambunctious pumpkin pie spicing prevails for limited edition autumnal medium body in eye-catching orange bottle. Brown-sugared cinnamon, gingerbread, nutmeg and allspice nuances partially relinquished by sweet potato pie vibe. Vegetal gourd, squash, yam and zucchini astringency rides shotgun.
