On tap at Taphouse 15, delightful (10.7% ABV) rum-barreled 2016 version of Imperial Pumking brings delicately spicy rum twist to brown-sugared pumpkin pie spicing. Cinnamon-toasted nutmeg, allspice and clove seasoning embraces latent molasses-sapped vanilla cake sweetness as well as brandy-soaked raisin snip to Graham Cracker-like wheat base. On tap at Morris Tap & Grill, Jolly Roger rum aging retains dry whiskey edge to contrast pumpkin pie sweetness for 13.4% 2018 version.
On tap at Taphouse 15, smoothly creamed éclair-headed nitro stout caresses milk chocolate mildness with subtle maple molasses bourbon sweetness, caramelized vanilla sugaring, toasted marshmallow niceties and black cherry hints. Dainty on the tongue.
On tap at Mahwah Bar & Grill, stylishly thin, but highly sessionable IPA, may lack pizzazz, but its lightly perfumed citric splash and resinous piney hop prickle will gain lighter thirsts attention. Spicy tangerine peel sweetness and lemony yellow grapefruit tang fade fast above dry pale malt spine.
Syrupy fruit cocktail with serious green coffee bean overtones and just enough chili peppering to not be intrusive. Orange-peeled coriander adjunct stands firm as juicy honey-malted pineapple, peach, honeydew, cantaloupe, mango and nectarine tang gains intensity (alongside persistent sweet banana whim) contrasting mild gin-like juniper bitterness and herbal lemongrass-peppercorn snips. Unroasted coffee bean influence stays just below the frolicking fondue-fruited finish of fascinating tripel/ stout hybrid.
Wondrous autumnal ale soaks brown-sugared gingerbread cookie entry with penetrative pumpkin pie spicing. Floral white-peppered cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg seasoning speckles cornbread-buttered pumpkin muffin midst. Vanilla-glazed sweetness endures above cotton candy, rum raisin, banana bread and apple butter illusions. At busy pie-crusted pumpkin-pureed pastry finish, alcohol-burnt Amaretto, almondine and hazelnut coffee adjuncts rise to creamy top. On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern (2014), heady cinnamon-toasted pumpkin pie theme picked up refreshing fern-like minting.