Reviews

A can of Sullivan's Brewing Company's Maltings Irish Ale standing upright on a white background

Review of Sullivan’s Maltings Irish Ale

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Sullivan’s Brewing Company’s Maltings Irish Ale pours a dark ruby red with modest carbonation. The aroma greets you with pleasant notes of caramel and malt, making each tilt of the glass inviting. The flavor profile is a delightful blend of sweet and toasty malt flavors, with hints of caramel and a mildly bitter finish. It has a medium body and is very easy to drink, free from any major flaws or distracting bitter notes. The finish is dry and swift, leaving you wanting more. Overall, it’s a solid choice and one of the better red ales I’ve tasted.

The beer has a pleasant caramel sweetness and some mild fruit notes. The flavors are rich and malty, with a balanced touch of hops that provide a slight bitterness without overwhelming the palate. The mouthfeel is smooth and clean, with a medium body and just the right amount of carbonation to keep it refreshing.

If you’re a fan of red ales or simply enjoy a well-balanced beer, Sullivan’s Maltings Irish Ale is worth a try. Its rich, malty character and easy drinkability make it a standout in its category.

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A can of Blue Moon Mango Wheat beer, photographed on a white background, for a Denimbmc.com blog review. The can features bright yellow-orange packaging with a mango illustration.

Review of Blue Moon Mango Wheat Beer

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Blue Moon Mango Wheat is a beer that delivers exactly what it promises—a smooth, easy-drinking wheat ale with a punch of mango flavor. I first tried this beer at a big-chain steakhouse, where it stood out as the most intriguing option on the menu. It was refreshing and enjoyable enough for me to go through multiple tall glasses. A year later, I stumbled upon it in six-packs at my local Whole Foods Market and had to revisit it to see if it held up to my memory.

The aroma is undeniably mango-forward, leaning toward a ripe, juicy sweetness. However, while the label touts the use of real mango, the flavor leans slightly artificial, with a mild bitterness in the finish.

A glass of Blue Moon Mango Wheat beer with a can beside it, taken inside the Williamsburg Garment Company studio to showcase how the beer pours and looks.
Blue Moon Mango Wheat beer, freshly poured in a glass.

That said, it’s an easy-drinking, refreshing brew that works well for a hot summer day. There aren’t a lot of mango wheat beers out there, so if you’re a fan of fruity wheat ales, Blue Moon Mango Wheat is a solid choice. It may not be the most complex mango beer, but it’s an enjoyable and accessible option that I’d happily buy again.

  • Style:  Fruited Wheat Ale
  • ABV: 5.4 %
  • IBUs: 19
  • Available: Year-Round
  • Awards: Silver Medal, Fruit Wheat Beer 2016 Great American Beer Festival®
  • Calories: 175 per 12 fl. oz. (355ml) serving size
  • Brewer: Blue Moon Brewery, based in RiNo District of Denver, Colorado, is owned by Molson Coors brewery

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Bottle of Prairie Artisan Ales' Pumpkin Maple Marty Imperial Stout standing on a white background, showcasing its intricate Halloween-themed label with pumpkin and spooky decorations.

Indulge Your Senses: A Review of Pumpkin Maple Marty Imperial Stout

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Prairie Artisan Ales’ Pumpkin Maple Marty Imperial Stout is a truly decadent experience, and it earns its spot high on my pumpkin beer rankings. This isn’t your average fall seasonal; it’s a luxurious sipper meant to be savored. The beer pours an opaque black, hinting at the richness within. The aroma is an intoxicating blend of bourbon, pumpkin, coffee, vanilla, maple, and pumpkin pie spice, all layered over a base of roasted malt. It’s like sticking your nose in a freshly baked pumpkin pie spiked with a shot of espresso.

A bottle of Prairie Artisan Ales’ Pumpkin Maple Marty Imperial Stout next to a glass filled with the beer, showcasing its nearly flat pour and minimal head on a white countertop.

On the palate, those aromas translate into a complex and satisfying flavor profile. The bourbon barrel aging adds warmth and depth, while the coffee and roasted malt provide a grounding bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. The pumpkin and spice notes are definitely present, but they don’t overwhelm, playing harmoniously with the other elements. This is a full-bodied stout with a velvety texture and a long, lingering finish. While it might be a bit too intense for an everyday beer, it’s absolutely perfect for those occasions when you’re looking to indulge in something truly special.

  • Style: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
  • ABV: 13.9 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Brewer: Prairie Artisan Ales, based in Oklahoma, is a craft brewery.

Read our blog post “A Fluid List: The Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked,” to find out where Pumpkin Maple Marty Imperial Stout by Prairie Artisan Ales ranks in our top pumpkin beers list.

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A 16 oz can of Scythe Pumpkin Ale by The Drowned Lands Brewery. The can is earthy orange with minimalist line art and text, describing it as a 5.7% ABV Foeder Fermented Pumpkin Ale brewed in Warwick, NY.

A Perfectly Balanced Review of The Drowned Lands Scythe Pumpkin Ale

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The Drowned Lands Scythe Pumpkin Ale stands out as a refined, well-rounded example of a pumpkin ale, capturing the essence of fall with impressive depth and restraint. Pouring a warm, vibrant copper-orange, it greets you with an aroma of fresh pumpkin pie spices that feels like a cozy embrace. Lively carbonation balances its smooth, slightly creamy texture, creating a soft, easy-to-drink mouthfeel.

Crafted with a mix of Vienna, Munich, Biscuit, Red Wheat, and Spelt malts, this ale carries subtle notes of toasted bread and biscuit that evoke a pie crust. This rich malt backbone is skillfully complemented by real pumpkin and a thoughtful blend of spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove—added after fermentation. The spice profile is bold but doesn’t overwhelm, bringing warmth and complexity to each sip without turning too sweet or overly spiced.

One of the unique elements here is the restrained finish; there’s a gentle dryness that lingers, preventing any cloying aftertaste and leaving you with a balanced, flavorful experience. Scythe’s 5.7% ABV makes it a great choice for leisurely fall afternoons or evening gatherings, offering just enough body and richness to feel satisfying without becoming heavy. The Drowned Lands has created a pumpkin ale that beautifully balances flavor with drinkability—perfect for those who want something nuanced yet packed with autumnal character.

  • Style: Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 5.7 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Brewer: The Drowned Lands Brewery, based in Warwick, New York, is a craft farm brewery

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16 oz can of Dorchester Brewing Company’s Pie Fight! Pumpkin Ale on a white background, featuring vibrant and playful artwork with cartoon pumpkin and pie illustrations.

Sweet Simplicity: Reviewing Dorchester Brewing’s Pie Fight! Pumpkin Ale

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Dorchester Brewing Company’s Pie Fight! Pumpkin Ale offers a notably light and sweet take on the pumpkin ale genre. This brew pours with an essence reminiscent of a subtle autumn dessert rather than a bold seasonal ale. The pumpkin and spice flavors you might expect are understated, contributing to an overall impression of mildness that some may find too close to being diluted. The sweetness is present, yet it doesn’t fully compensate for the subdued pumpkin character.

On a positive note, Pie Fight! does finish smoothly without any lingering bitterness, which is a pleasant departure from many other spiced craft ales. The aroma hints at pumpkin pie spices and a touch of pie crust, evoking a sense of fall’s comfort but not overpowering the senses. The mouthfeel is light, akin to a soft malt cider, making it quite drinkable despite its lack of complexity.

While Dorchester Brewing aims for a pumpkin-spiced pie in a glass, balancing it with the maltiness of an amber ale and a custom spice blend, the execution leans more towards simplicity. This ale might appeal to those seeking a milder pumpkin ale experience without the robust earthy or vanilla nuances that add depth to other seasonal offerings. For anyone looking for an easy-drinking autumn beer that nods to the season without overwhelming the palate, Pie Fight! Pumpkin Ale could be a refreshing choice. Check out where it ranks in our Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked list for more insights.

  • Style: Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 5.3 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Brewer: Dorchester Brewing Company, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a craft brewery.

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This image displays a 12 oz bottle of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, highlighting the label’s distinct pumpkin-themed design. The beer, known for its strong caramel, pumpkin, and spice flavors, has a higher alcohol content (8.6% ABV) and appeals to those who enjoy sweet, dessert-like beers. The pumpkin-headed mascot on the label emphasizes the playful and seasonal aspect of this imperial ale.

Review of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale

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Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale delivers a bold blend of caramel, pumpkin, and spices, making it a unique choice for those who enjoy sweeter, stronger beers. The beer starts with a punch of caramel that dominates the flavor, almost candy-like in its intensity, but this sweetness tends to overshadow the pumpkin and spice elements that should balance the profile. If you’re a fan of caramel-heavy flavors, this one might be for you, but for others, it might come off as a bit artificial.

A 12 oz bottle and a glass of Southern Tier Brewing Company's Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale on a cutting table at Williamsburg Garment Company.

The beer finishes with a noticeable alcohol warmth and a bitter edge that contrasts with the sweetness. While it’s certainly not a subtle beer, it offers an intense experience that could appeal to those who prefer dessert-like brews. However, the overpowering caramel and artificial sweetness make it a bit too much for my palate, so I only revisit it once a year to see how it holds up. If you’re curious where this beer lands among the best pumpkin ales, check out our Pumpkin Beers Ranked post for the full list.

  • Style: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 8.6 %
  • IBUs: 28
  • Brewer: Southern Tier Brewing Company, based in Lakewood, New York, is a craft brewery.

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