Pumpkin Beers and Jack-O-Lanterns

I thought we should pay homage to the pumpkin by drinking pumpkin beers. Not the wisest decision I have made, mixing knives and beers, but it all worked out.

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale was my inspiration.

Blah ha ha!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Cheers!

~K&G~

The Elf was Mad and Rude tonight!

Troegs Craft Brewery

Mad Elf Ale - 11% ABV

Since I decided to start moving on from the pumpkin ales, sigh,  I gave the two elves a whirl.  I have already tried Rude Elf's Reserve at my Oktoberfest, and I liked it, but I wanted to try it against it's arch nemesis..the Mad Elf Ale! 

I was also intrigued to try the two ales side by side because there is a little controversy surrounding the not so jolly elves.  The Mad Elf Ale has his jingle balls in a bunch and sent The Rude Elf's Reserve Ale a cease and desist order.  Apparently the brewery feels that the Rude Elf's Reserve labeling is too close to their Mad Elf's likeness and name. 

 I first went with The Mad Elf  Ale, made by Troegs Craft Brewery.  Typically I do not like brews by Troegs because they tend to be hoppy.  I HATE HOPS!  Just so you know.  But, my  fabulous beer god Michael from Canal's emailed me and said I must try and he put some aside. I also looked it up on Troegs website and had just a IBU of 15! Boosh!

With a pretty aggressive pour the head was about an inch high but quickly disappeared.  What was left in the glass was a beautiful cherry/orange ale that had a spicy and slightly sweet scent.  The first taste was ehh, and the second was still ehh...and I was almost as Mad as the Elf on the bottle!  It was spicy and not overly carbonated.  I thought maybe it was me so I passed a glass around.  Everyone loved it! I mean everybody!!!  I really thought my bother would be with me on this one but NOOOO!!  He liked it along with my hubs, Darlene, And Christine!  Well what do they know...right? They drink Miller Light for goodness sakes! Where is Gab when I need her!  Ello? I guess I still do not like Troegs. 

Fegley's Brew Works
Rude Elf's Reserve - 10.5% ABV

After that disappointment, I cracked open the Rude Elf's Reserve, and just took a pull right from the bottle!  Not bad...not bad at all!  Cinnamon hit me right away and a hint of nutmeg.  The body was about the same and the Mad Elf but the color had a little more of an orange hue.  After the cinnamon passed over my taste buds I recognized some caramel malts.  This brew is a fine winter beer that should be sipped and savored because of the bold cinnamon flavors and the high ABV.  I think if you drink more than 2-3 of these beers you may find yourself being a Rude Elf or just a Rude Bastard.  Oh, and the crowd...they still loved the Mad Elf Ale!

The price point on these beers are not even close to each other.  The Mad Elf Ale will set you back $16.99 for a 6 pack or $8.99 for a 22oz. and the Rude Elf's Reserve was priced at $8.99 for a 6 pack.  In my opinion don't get Mad just get Rude...it is cheaper and you get just about the same buzz. 

Cheers!
~K~

Oktoberfest 2011

Oh, what a night!!!!  My hubs and I hosted an Oktoberfest for our family and friends so they all can see what I am so passionate about...beer.  I made a ton of food and got two 1/6 of a keg of my personal favorite Southern Tier Imperial Pumpking and the solid standby Sam Adams Octoberfest. 

On our invitation we requested that everyone bring their own personal favorite seasonal brew.  I saw beers walk through my gate that made me want to jump up and down with joy, and then I saw one beer I swore made the music stop as it crossed the gateway.  NOT in a good way, either. You know who you are, Mike!

Southeren Tier Imperial Pumpking - 8.5% ABV

Sam Adams Octoberfest - 5.3% ABV

The Southern Tier, I believe, was the party favorite.  It was flowing all night and everyone had a glass full or at least tried a cup.  I have had it in the 22oz bottle, but to have it on tap it was like a slice of  heaven.  The nutmeg was in full swing and the mild sweetness of the pumpkin was a fantastic finish.  I do have to give my guy Michael Conway at Canal's in Marlton a HUGE thank you for tracking down the Southern Tier for me.

I figured I would make center pieces out of the Southern Tier Pumpking so my guests could read up on the beer they were loving and wishing they were as cool as me!  Oh, and that glass there, yeah it is the the Pumpking.  

This lovely creation was from my neighbor who is Martha Stewart and Lucille Ball all wrapped into the best package ever!  She made this fabulous dip that tasted like the filling in pumpkin pie!  It was served out of a hollowed out pumpkin with mini ginger snaps. 



The Brew Bitches of the evening. 



Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale - 5.2% ABV
Great beer if you like pumpkin pie, which I do!  Delish!  I have reviewed this beer a few weeks ago and gave it (as my brother puts it) two hangovers up!

Ellicotville Brewing Co, Octoberfest Lager - 5% ABV



Riverhorse Tripel Horse Belgium Style Ale - 10% ABV
Gab - This beer is very good. If you're a fan of Belgian Tripels, you won't be disappointed! Try it, and you'll be wandering around muttering, "Riverhorse Tripel Horse" til you want to stab yourself in the eye.



Founders Breakfast Stout - 8.3% ABV

I can not wait to try this little number.  My cousin who is another beer lover brought this just for me to try.  He recommended me to drink it at room temp so I can really enjoy all the different flavors it has to offer.

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale - 8% ABV
You know where I stand on this beer.. LOVE it!!!  I did have the option of having this sweet thing on tap but my Rob (ok, I guess I will name the poor guy) preferred Southern Tier and he really had to twist my arm.  Blah ha ha!!

Sam Adams Wee Heavy - 10% ABV

Gab has had this beer and she loved it!  I did have a few sips at the party and it was creamy and dreamy! 
Gab - This is a current fave of mine. It's a beautifully-colored Imperial Scottish Ale that hits like a war hammer. Try it before it's gone!

Fegleys Brew Works Rude Elf's Reserve - 10.5% ABV

This was not Rude at all!!  It was smooth with a boozy kick, if that makes sense.  I could smell cinnamon and nutmeg and the taste was that off slightly toasted caramel malts.  Very good.  Once I get a chance I will take a picture of the beer poured and give it another go-around. 

Gritty McDuff's Halloween Ale - 6% ABV

I did try this a week ago and I did not have any love for it...at all.  It was too bitter for me, but to be fair it is a Extra Special Bitter Ale.  Maybe this one is for Gab.
Gab - I just tried this, and it is just eh. Not worth the calories, my friends!



The Southern Tier Trifecta that came to the party. 

Jah-va Imerial Coffee Stout - 10.6% ABV

Pumpking Imperial Ale - 8.6% ABV

Oat Imperial Oatmeal Stout - 10.8% ABV

Obviously, I do not need to say a word about the Pumpking...Ok I will one more time...SIGH.  The other two stouts I have not had as of yet.  My brother raves about the Oatmeal Stout and he was so-so about the  the Jah-va Stout. 
Gab - I love the Jah-va! It is my second favorite coffee stout. Get your Starbucks fix and a buzz on at the same time, what more can you ask for?

There were a few other beers I did see floating around that I did not get a picture of or even taste!  The HORROR!!!!  What I do remember trying is the Oktoberfest - Marzen-Style Lager with a 5.5% ABV by Dundee Brewing Company.  It was a full bodied lager that poured a beautiful color of mahogany.  The first sniff yielded caramel and molasses or maybe brown sugar.  The flavors matched the scent so I was not surprised or disappointed.  I was surprised that it is an Oktoberfest beer.  I am use to a lighter and less sweet Oktoberfest beer, like Sam Adams Octoberfest or Brooklyn Brewery.  This was a sweet and a full bodied beer that really represented a true Marzen(meaning March) -Oktoberfest Lager.  Maybe I am used to the American style Oktoberfest beers, but this I liked.

Gab - One of the crowd favorites was Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale. Farmhouse Ales really float my boat, as you can see here . Overall, there was a great mix of brews. I even saw a Weyerbacher Heresy at the bottom of the cooler! The authentic German and Belgian Pilsners were well-represented as well in true Oktoberfest fashion.

Now, for a tiny peek at the fun times:

Ken, Party Rock Central and Resident Bushwackuh.

Sigh. There are no words.

We didn't know who this guy was, but he scared the crap out of us, so we left him alone.

The sophistication slays me. Betty Draper ain't got nothin' on you, Kath!

Jean, my mom (Gab), and Mike. See the expression on Mike's face? He's thinking, "Holy shit, everyone knows that I brought the Bud Light Lime cans, and now I'm caught red-handed drinking Southern Tier and eating a hoagie. Balls!"

"Did you see that someone brought Bud Light??? And who THE FRICK ate all of the pumpkin dip?? GOSHDARNIT TO HELL!!!"

Blah ha ha!!!

After all the smoke cleared from the cigars and the chiminea,  I was left with a buzz and a grin!  I had a great time with everyone and had some kick ass beers!  Hopefully everyone enjoyed themselves as well...if not...

enough said.

Cheers!

~K & G~

Shipyard Pugsley's Signature Series - Smashed Pumpkin' - Not So Smashing.

Shipyard Brewing Company

Pugsley's Signature Series

Smashed Pumpkin - 9% ABV

On an earlier review of Shipyard's Pumpkinhead I mentioned my quest to try

Pugsley's Signature Series - Smashed Pumpkin.   I have liked the Signature Series in the past and I thought the Smashed Pumpkin would not disappoint.  My quest was done in vain.

I knew I was not going to be blown away as soon as I opened the bottle.  I did not pick up on any particular spice...or any spice!  Once poured with a heavy hand the head was about one inch high. The color had a hazy orange hue with dancing bubbles running up the glass. 

According to the bottle's description the beer has a big-bodied beer...not so much in my opinion.  I thought it was on the lighter side and lacked the level of greatness I was expecting.  This beer is not by any means Miller Lite quality but as a craft beer it was a miss. 

Shipyard once again made me want to jump ship!!!  No SHIP!  It was better than the fruity pebble Pumpkinhead but it took on water next to Southern Tier's Pumking.


Cheers!
~K~

Troegs Perpetual IPA - Good Lord (not in a good way)

Troegs Brewing Company

Perpetual IPA - 7.5% ABV

The definition of perpetual is as follows - lasting forever, everlasting, occurring continually.  Troegs named their IPA right then... the hoppy, nasty, and jump out of your skin flavor lasted FOREVER on my tongue!  GOOD LORD it was harsh!  Maybe the hops all over the bottle should have been a warning or when I opened the bottle the citrus smell slapped me right in the face!  Even after that, I still poured it into a glass to give this brew a fighting chance.  Besides my brother (who is a HOP HATER too) gave it to me it could not be that bad, right? 

As you can see the beer is light orange in color, with slight haze as you peer through the glass.  The head lasted for a few minutes and was light in color as well as texture.

Now, the taste.  Wow, how can I put this, and totally get my point across?  It was like gnawing on a pine tree and then sucking on a grapefruit.  I was jumping out of my skin, pacing in the kitchen, and then held out the glass for my husband to try.  I am sure you can imagine the look on his face, complete horror.  He was not quite as dramatic as I was but his taste buds were also assaulted by the

sheer magnitude of the hops!

After the assault I looked on Troegs website to see if the IBU (International Bittering Units) was off the charts, and I was right.  The IBU was listed at 85!!!  Just to put this number into perspective for you, an average beer is at 20-45.  Anything higher creates more bitterness.  I'll say!

I am sure there are Hop Heads that would love this beer and Gab would have been in total Hop Heaven.  Me, well from my review it is safe to say I was in Hop Hell. 

Cheers!

~K~

"Buffalo Bill" was a great hunter and brewer...Who knew!

Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Pumpkin Ale - 5.2% ABV

Buffalo Bill's Brewery has successfully bottled a piece of pumpkin pie!  Seriously!  The aroma wafting from the bottle is that of a sweet pumpkin pie laying on your Thanksgiving table!  You CAN drink your pie and eat it too!!!!

When I poured the Pumpkin Ale with a heavy hand it had a crisp white head that dissipated in seconds.  What it left behind was a hazy orange ale that had minimal lacing up the glass.

This beer has fantastic drinkability!  With a relatively low ABV (for Gab & I) and a slightly carbonated beer it did not make you feel like a overgrown buzzed pumpkin sitting on the sofa!  The spices were in total check too.  Just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to off set the sweetness.  In the end it left a sweet taste of brown sugar with notes of pumpkin in your mouth. 

Buffalo Bill's Brewery also has a few more seasonal beers, such as the Imperial Pumpkin Ale (9.8 ABV only in 22oz bottles) and a Blueberry Oatmeal Stout (7.5 ABV).  I may have to get that since I do like a few of the blueberry ales available in the summer.  I also saw there is an Alimony Ale that was made by the brewer for a patron getting a divorce.  He made it extra bitter (70 IBU!!!) with a strong hop flavor.  Ewww...Hops.  I will be leaving that one for Gab to enjoy as I drink my pumpkin pie.

Cheers!

~K~

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale...ehhh



Smuttynose Brewing Company

Pumpkin Ale - 6% ABV

Do you see that color? It pours a cloudy orange color with a beautiful off white head.  It smelled of all the usual suspects...cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.  The head quickly dissipated and left you to see the carbonation slowly moving up the glass.

The flavor was not what I expected at all.  This is not all that uncommon with the pumpkin ales.  It was hoppy.  Yes, hops.  I hate hops.  The body was medium to light with a spicy kick.  I tried another sip and passed it right to my husband.  It had a bit of a malty flavor but the bitter citrus hops dominated my pallet. I had to pass. 

Smuttynose has some great products like the Robust Porter and Old Brown Dog Ale.  Overall the brew was not terrible and the hops was not all that bad either.  I just have no tolerance for hops...none!

So, my fellow beer lovers I say...Ehhh to Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale.  Don't fret...I have a few more beers up my sleeve and look out for a blog entry from Gab and I.  We had a liquid lunch with a side of tomatoes a few days ago...sigh.  

Cheers!

~K~ 

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales E.S. Bam Hoppy Farmhouse Ale (say that 5 times fast)

E.S. Bam Hoppy Farmhouse Ale 4.7% ABV 750 ml.

This fantastic seasonal beer, brewed by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, is a real treat. Just look at that gorgeous color! And the head was so light and creamy, I was tempted to take a spoon to it. Nice and soapy with impressive staying power. I couldn't help but think of my lovely mother-in-law, Beverly, when I tasted this beer. She lives on 5 acres and has 2 horses. She could pour herself a pint of this baby, head down to the barn to muck out the stalls and fill the feed buckets and head back to the house to enjoy a few sips before the head disappeared! I think I might bring her a bottle and see if I'm right, blah ha ha!

Even though this is a hoppy ale, it is relatively mild and can be enjoyed by hop-haters and hop-whores alike. The flavor offers earthy hops, citrus notes, and some wild yeast funkiness. I really enjoyed this beer, it is a fantastic drinking ale, very easy (Gab Buzz Factor of 5) and agreeable to most palates. The price point is a little high for a 750ml bottle - around $11 at my local beer store, but well worth it, in my opinion.

Cheers!
~G~

Feeling a little Devious? You should...

Fegley's Brew Works

Devious Imperial Pumpkin

9% ABV

Ahhh, a catchy label and a local brew...but will it hold a place on my must have pumpkin ales?  In one word...YES.  Nothing bad about this Devious Imperial Pumpkin.  It is all good.

A warm amber colored brew filled my glass and a full white head topped it off  just perfectly.  The aromas wafting from the glass and bottle were simple...cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and pumpkin. It is crafted with caramel and Munich malts to give it an amber hue and sweet malty taste. The taste was just as I expected - sweet nutmeg, smooth malts, with a slight acidic ending. The ABV registered up to 9% and sometimes this makes the brew a little harsh but it still maintains it's character as a smooth pumpkin ale.  You can get this in 12oz bottles, 750ml, or on draft...but as always it has a limited shelf appearance.

Fegley's Brew Works is a decent-sized company that not only brews it's own beer but has several restaurants under it's cap, three to be exact.  Each restaurant has it's own signature brew as well as the multiple seasonal and flagship beers available.  The seasonal beers are pretty extensive and I will be sure to try a few more...especially Rude Elf's Reserve.  The name makes me laugh and the ABV of  10.5% is going to make me smirk.  Blah ha ha!!!

Cheers!

~K~