The Great Pumpkin Beer Rally 2012

Happy October, y'all. I LOVE Halloween and so here we go with my first annual Great Pumpkin Beer Rally. This is by no means an exhaustive list of Pumpkin Beers, but just a handful that I've picked up in last month or so. I wanted to save them for when it was actually closer to Halloween since these babies started showing up in late August. Seriously, seasonal creep is stupid. Also, Cassie helped with the taste testing :D

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Punkin Ale

ABV: 7%

Thoughts: Nice and spicy, delicious! Probably the best all-around Pumpkin ale of the lot. Not too sweet, doesn't try to get too crazy with it, just really solid. Definitely will try to track down more of this before the season is over.
Rating: 4.25/5


Elysian Brewing Dark O' The Moon Pumpkin Stout

ABV: 6.5%
Thoughts: Delicious! I mean, I love stouts so obviously I'm gonna dig this one. The pumpkin flavors are very subtle in this one. Lots of chocolate and some hints of cinnamon and spices.
Rating: 4/5

Elysian Brewing Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

ABV: 6.1%

Thoughts: Pretty heavy on the pumpkin flavors. Mild, though, not spicy. Overall, it's a lil' too sugary sweet and just kinda blah for my tastes, though.
Rating: 2/5
 

Pike Brewing Harlot's Harvest Pumpkin Ale

ABV: 8.5%

Thoughts: Darker than most pumpkin beers in color and quite a bit more subtle and well-rounded with the spices and pumpkin flavors. Pretty top-notch stuff. Sneaky strong, too.

Rating: 4/5


Shipyard Brewing Co. Pumpkinhead Ale

ABV: 5.1%

Thoughts: Love the label and name of this one, sup Lance Hendrickson fans. This is the first beer I've had from Maine's Shipyard Brewing and I was pretty impressed. Nice amount of spice and lots of pumpkin, but not overly sweet.
Rating: 3.5/5


Southern Tier Brewing Co. Pumking

ABV: 8.6%

Thoughts: So the Pumking is lots of folks' go-to recommendation for a good pumpkin beer and I can see why. It's nice and strong and unlike most pumpkin beers, this one tastes more like pumpkin pie than actual pumpkin. Even has the bready pie crust flavor in there too.
Rating: 4.25/5


Uinta Brewing Co. Punk'n Harvest Pumpkin Ale

ABV: 4%

Thoughts: Nice and light. Hints of lager. The pumpkin and spices are present, but not overwhelming at all.
Rating: 3.5/5