Iron Hill Brewery's release of the Imperial Pumpkin Ale

 Iron Hill Brewery

Imperial Pumpkin Ale

8.8% ABV

Finally, I made it to Iron Hill Brewery for their release party of the Imperial Pumpkin Ale.  There was music, pumpkin carving, and Chris (head brewer) walking around in a jack-o-lantern shirt. The restaurant was extremely festive!  You could not help but smile as you were pulled back to the simple childhood days when you heard the band playing the Peanuts theme song.  Ahh, memories. 

When our waitress asked us if we wanted to start with a drink I quickly rattled off three beers to try and a Imperial Pumpkin for me.  You see, my mama came with me and I had to show her why Miller Lite is not worthy.  We tried the Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Pumpkin Ale, and the Scottish Ale again.  I thought the Scottish Ale was light and low enough in ABV so her noggin would not explode.  After trying her samples, my mama went for the Imperial Pumpkin too!  I did try the Pumpkin Ale and it was a little on the bitter side and not as full bodied as the Imperial Pumpkin.

The Imperial Pumpkin is considered to be the BIG BROTHER to the Pumpkin Ale.  It has a fuller body because it is brewed with additional molasses and Belgian candi sugar along with pumpkin spices.  I certainly picked up on the spices and molasses.  It was smooth, a beautiful amber color, and the cascade in the glass made it even more enticing.  My first glass went down so fast that I had to order another so I could savor all the flavors and appreciate Chris' workmanship.  Blah ha ha...I will say anything to get another beer.

Cartoon Christmas Trio

As the music came to an end I saw the table behind me stocking up on beer like Hurricane Irene was on her way back!  Seriously, they were on a mission. They had several growlers and a few bottles of the Great Imperial Pumpkin Ale (Imperial Pumpkin Ale aged in bourbon barrels).  It was my idea of a perfect family portrait...lots of beer, smiles from ear to ear (I am sure the Imperial Pumpkin had a small part in that), and to top it off an adorable little girl with a infectious giggle!

To end my perfect afternoon, I sent my mom home with my daughter and I skipped out of Iron Hill with my son and growler in tow. 

Cheers!

~K~





Ichabod was NOT the only soul to loose his head...

New Holland Brewing Company

Ichabod Pumpkin Ale

5.5% ABV

Not sure where to begin.  Maybe I should start with UGH!!!  Really...UGH! 

If you have followed our blog you know the pumpkin ales are my obsession.  I have crossed paths with major winners and a loser that made me want to walk the plank.  This, my fellow Brew Lovers, is not a winner.  The label is definitely festive and the price point is appealing.  As soon as I popped the cap off I was concerned.  It did not smell like spices or pumpkin.  Ichabod Ale did not even have any characteristics of the pumpkin ales I have tried.

Then I poured it into my glass and the color was rich and inviting.  With one sip I was wishing I was not invited and thought no wonder Ichabod lost his head!  Not good, my friends...not good.  I am ashamed to admit I had to dump this beer and ask the beer gods to forgive me for my actions.

Ichabod Pumpkin Ale was recommended to me by the guys at my local store and when I told them it was...UGH... they were shocked!  One guy said maybe I got a bad bottle and I should try it one more time.  I may try another beer from New Holland, such as the Poet (Oatmeal Stout), but for now I will let Ichabod ride away with his head and not MINE!

Cheers?
~K~

Are you feeling lucky...PUNK? Hell Yeah!

Dogfish Head Brewery

Punkin Ale

7% ABV

This is brew is as illusive as the Loch Ness Monster and the Yeti...but I caught and drank it before you tucked your kids in bed!  

After chasing this beer for the past month I was scared to open it for the fear of disappointment.  Thank the dear beer gods I was not left holding a bottle and asking...why...why me!  It was all that I wished for and then a little extra! 

This full-bodied brown ale (BTW, I love the Indian Brown Ale too) has organic brown sugar and brewed with pumpkin meat.  Even with a 7% ABV it was incredibly smooth, mildly spicy, and had hint of pumpkin in the background.  I think if you are looking for a seasonal beer without the overwhelming pumpkin flavor or spiciness of nutmeg or cinnamon  go with Dogfish Head Punkin. 

Cheers!

~K~

Villa Puccini Gold Label Toscana

First off, I have to apologize for the completely trash-tastic photo in this week's post. It had been raining off and on all day, and the lighting was complete shit. As crappy as the lighting was, this wine was so, so good,.

Villa Puccini Gold Label Toscana 2004 (13% ABV)

Produced only in outstanding vintages, this delicious wine consists of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 months in small French oak barrels, then another 12 months in the bottle. Dry, rich, and harmonious, this wine is enjoyable now and will continue to develop for 5 years or more with proper cellaring. (Because, you know, we all know how to properly cellar our wines). Enjoy with roasts, steaks, chops, cheeses, and Gabrielle Holliday’s Italian-American cooking. Amen.

Bottom line - if you love Italian reds, you must buy this wine. It ranges in price from $13-$16, and worth every penny. Get it now, drink it later, and thank me tomorrow.

Cheers!

~G~

Vanilla Porter...Anyone?

Breckenridge Brewery

Vanilla Porter

4.7% ABV

Since I have been living in a pumpkin patch for the past few weeks I decided to go for a good ole' standby...the porter. I love a good porter that rolls over my taste buds with caramel malts and hints of chocolate. The Breckenridge Vanilla Porter just so happens to be all that and more! 

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub's  original location is in the historic mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado.  Since 1990 this pub is the only brewery in the town and the company has opened 3 additional locations in Colorado.  Breckenridge has 6 year-round and 4 seasonal brews to offer, all of which are the work of one ski bum who loves to drink good beer after a day on the slopes. 

  The Vanilla Porter has to be one of the best that I have had so far.  The color was just a shade lighter than black and had a very faint cream colored head when poured.  The first taste was bliss.  The Vanilla Porter had a huge array of flavors hitting your pallet with very little carbonation.  I first tasted a caramel maltiness and roasted chocolate. The vanilla was sweet which made it a perfect finish.  The Vanilla Porter is surprisingly light in the ABV department.  Not that this is a bad thing, but with such a robust flavor and rich color I really expected to be knocked out of my Uggs!  Instead, I had a well crafted porter that warmed me up on a chilly evening that left a cheesy grin on my face.  I would have to say this my friends...this is a winner.

Cheers!
~K~

One Small Patch Pumpkin Ale for man and one giant Pumking for mankind!

Southern Tier Brewing Company

Imperial Pumking - 8.6%  ABV

Since this is not my first rodeo with Southern Tier I did not think twice about tossing the evil pum-KING into my cart.  I have had most of the Blackwater Series so this gourd had it's seeds cut out for him!

When I first opened the bottle I did not pick up on just one spice or just pumpkin.  It had a slightly sweet smell with a spicy kick.  Once poured,  a wonderful copper color and lightly carbonated ale filled the glass.  The first sip had a smooth start and a bold nutmeg finish.  The spices were not overwhelming and the pumpkin flavor was perfect.  So do not let let the nasty looking pumpkin scare you away...snatch it up before it disappears.

  Oh, and a little FYI...my cousin who LOVES Southern Tier as well said he aged a few bottles of Imperial Pumking for a year and it was incredible! 

Tommyknocker Brewery

Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale - 5% ABV

I decided to stay with the pumpkin theme and Tommyknocker was knocking at my door.  I have had the Maple Nut Brown and the Cocoa Porter by Tommyknocker (both were excellent beers) so why not try the pumpkin ale!

Almost all the pumpkin ales I have been trying have either been deep orange or a light copper color, so imagine my surprise when I poured it into my glass and saw a dark brown hue.  Small Patch Pumpkin had a mild sweetness with a small hint of pumpkin spice, and a faint molasses finish. I also thought it had a mild roasted malt undertone.  Small Patch Pumpkin has definitely balanced the spice and pumpkin flavors.  Actually, it reminded me of the Maple Nut Brown but with a zing.

Small Patch Pumpkin is certainly in a class of it's own from the color down to the molasses finish.  This was a job well done for Tommyknocker's first go around in the pumpkin patch of ales.

So there you have it, two more seasonal brews checked off my list and two more brews you should try. 

Cheers!

~K~

A Fish, a Pig, and The Second Rising

This past friday Kathleen and I met at Iron Hill Brewery for a long overdue lunch. I was dying to try the new 

seasonal releases - spefically Ironfish, a collaborative brew between Iron Hill and Flying Fish Brewing Co.

 

Our waitress, Nancy, was awesome. Since I told her I was a hoppy girl, she suggested I also try Second Rising, which is their Rising Sun brew with double the hops. She also brought out a sample of the Unassisted Tripel (IBU 35, ABV 9.4%), a smooth, wonderful Belgian ale that balances bitterness with hints of spices and sweet plums. My husband, a loyal Miller Lite drinker (I know), drank an entire growler of this beer 2 years ago on his birthday and passed out on the couch with the jug still in his hand. He he.

Anyway, back to lunch. We started out with 4 samples - Scottish Ale, Unassisted Tripel (mentioned above), Second Rising, and Ironfish. I tasted the Scottish Ale (IBU 14, ABV 3.4%) first (I think). It is a very nice, drinkable ale. And by "drinkable", I mean you can drink several while hanging with friends and family and not be sorry for it the next morning. Smooth and light, with a lovely chestnut color.

The Second Rising (IBU 80, ABV 7%) was next. It was delish, a little citrus-y, with a not too hoppy finish. I loved it. Perfect in-between beer for hop-haters on the edge.

Lovely deep amber color. Sigh. This came second for me, actually, because first I ordered a half-mug of the Ironfish:

Just look at that color. Come. To. Mama.

(Pig Iron Porter in the background)

I have to say this: when I first tasted the sample, I felt as though someone slapped me across the face, hard. And I liked it. This beer is INSAAAANE! And when you read INSAAAANE, please pretend that I (or the voice in your head) is speaking like a WWF commentator. With an IBU of 50 and an ABV of 8.2%. this brew packs a flavorful punch. This is an Imperial Black Belgian IPA with plenty of hoppy bitterness, fruit and spice from Flying Fish's Belgian yeast, and a roast-y finish. Luscious. Perfection, in my opinion. OH, and I would give it a GBF of 8 - after sampling it I deliberated over the menu for 20 minutes, which never happens. Poor Nancy!

Poor Nancy? Poor Nancy?!  Poor Kathleen!!!  I had to taste the Ironfish and just about lost all sensation in my mouth!  Ugh!!  It was N A S T Y!!!  I know I am a hop-hater and love my pumpkin ales right now, but this was taking the hops to another level!  If I do recall, I even gave the glass the finger!  True story! (Yep, true story - I took a pic, but it was blown out. I almost had to peel Kath off of the ceiling! ~ G)

After that holy crap moment I tried the Scottish Ale. Now that is more like it.  Smooth, light, and had a nutty finish.  Gab is right on with the drinkabilty factor.  I can see myself drinking this all afternnoon and not getting too buzzed. 

When "Poor Nancy" geesh, came to take our beer order I went for the good ole' Pig Iron.  It was delivered with a perfect head and it was still dancing in the glass.  The Pig Iron had a malty, coffee, and chocolate flavor that was all very pleasing.  I almost felt like a Pig in...well you know where I was going with that one.  Let's just say This little Piggy was a winner! 

Stay tuned for another review  - we are getting ready to taste the Imperial Pumpkin Ale that Iron Hill is going to release in a few short weeks!  I know I am dusting off my growler to take some home!

Cheers!

~G & K~

Shipyard Pumpkinhead did not set sail this time...

Shipyard Brewery

Pumpkinhead Ale

5.1% ABV

As promised, we were going to keep on reviewing fall brews and I had to try this beer as soon as I saw it on the shelf. I have reviewed and liked  Pugsley's Signature Series Imperial Porter from Shipyard Brewery and mentioned wanting to try their Pumpkinhead Ale.  Well, I waited and waited to see it on the shelves and there it was...and there it should have stayed. 

When I first opened it I could smell spices and a very faint hint of pumpkin.  It had a nice orange tint as I poured it in the glass. The first sip was a shock to my taste buds.  Maybe I was expecting total greatness, or I was hoping for a pumpkin pie flavor to hit my tongue.  What I do know for sure was it was not a winner for me.  It was crisp and spicy with zip. I did not taste pumpkin but a SHIP-load of nutmeg in the finish.   I took another and another sip and I was still not won over.  I was so disappointed!  I did give one beer to my hubs to try and another to my sister in law to see if I was just disappointed rather than a total thumbs down.  My hubs said ehhh and my sister in law liked it so much she grabbed another.  She was also drinking a beer that I swear tasted like Fruity Pebbles so not sure I am going to value her opinion.  Blah ha ha!

Ok, to sum it up I say Pumpkinhead should walk the plank!  I am not going to give up on Shipyard just yet.  I saw they have a Pugsley's Signature Series Smashed Pumpkin with a sweet 9% ABV.  Maybe I have to stick with Pugsley to have a SHIP-shape brew.

If you do wrestle this brew from the plank give me a shout.  I would love to now what you think...maybe you will like it and I will get the name of the beer that tastes like Fruity Pebbles for you too!

Cheers!

~K~