TL;DR summary : meh (you probably want to actually read the
summary on this one)
Beer style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV 5.1%
What I paid: ??? (It was a gift and it would be rude to look
it up)
How it came (packaging): 32 oz mini growler
Brewery link: www.saranac.com/
About the Beer:
Saranac is brewed by the F.X. Matt brewing
company, one of the oldest family owned and operated breweries in the US. Founded
in Upstate New York in 1888, the brewery has been in continuous operation
since. They survived prohibition by brewing soft drinks and other non-alcoholic
beverages. The brewery continues to produce a line of sodas in addition to
beer. At one point they were also brewing Kirkland labeled beers for Costco,
though I don’t know if this is still the case.
Saranac’s pumpkin ale is, predictably, part of their
seasonal line and is a fall release. Their website classifies the beer as a
“spiced fruit ale” and they describe it as hearty and full bodied and brewed
with cinnamon and allspice and, of course, pumpkin.
Color/appearance: light brown, thin white head
Aroma: spicy, hints of citrus
Mouth feel: thin, effervescent, watery
Flavor: spicy, slightly alcoholic sour, slightly pumpkin-y
finish
Notes: Spicy, but not pumpkin pie spiced, not really Belgian
style either. There’s just a hint of pumpkin at the finish. Maybe a little bit
of nuttiness? It grows on you the more you drink, but not enough.
Summary:
Before I go
further, I need to state that there are a certain few styles of beer that I
will avoid reviewing because I’m not a fan of the style in general. Pumpkin
beers are in that category. I know they’re popular, but I have never found one
I care for (I may write more on this later). I decided to review this
particular beer because a friend who also doesn’t generally care for the style,
but makes an exception for this one gave it to me to try.
With that said, I admit that it is the best pumpkin beer I’ve
had, but I still didn’t care for it. I didn’t really think the brewer’s claim
that it was full bodied held up. It was kind of watery, and had a hint of a wet
paper taste. There was a spicy note, but not enough to carry the beer. Thankfully
though, this meant that it didn’t drift into “hey this tastes like pumpkin pie”
territory either. It was really just bland. I would give this beer a pass if came up again, but I wouldn’t
judge the entire brand by it.
Rating : 2
1 – avoid
2 – if it’s the only choice, I guess
3 – a decent beer. Drinkable.
4 – good beer – hard to turn down
5 – great beer - One of my favorites, pour me another.
No comments:
Post a Comment