Reviews

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.

Beer

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

Published on October 28, 2024

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.

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.

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

Published on October 21, 2024

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.

12 oz bottle of Flying Dog Brewery’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale against a white background, showcasing its vibrant label with a snarling dog illustration.

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Review: Rethinking Flying Dog’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Published on October 13, 2024

Year after year, I’ve revisited Flying Dog Brewery’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, always leaving it unreviewed due to my previous disinterest. However, something changed with this year’s batch. Whether it’s a tweak in the brewing process or a shift in my own tastes after sampling so many pumpkin beers, I found myself appreciating it anew. The usual bitterness in the finish seemed toned down, yet it retained a rich, robust body with subtle undertones of pumpkin and spice. It deftly masks its 9% ABV well, making the drinking experience surprisingly smooth.

12-ounce bottle of Flying Dog Brewery's The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale next to a glass filled with the dark beer, showcased on a countertop with a blurry background emphasizing the beer's creamy head and rich color.

Dark, rich black ales aren’t usually something that I pick from the shelves, but The Fear has grown on me. It’s compelling enough that I wouldn’t hesitate to order another round. It’s proof of its solid construction as an imperial pumpkin ale, which I look forward to revisiting every year. The 2024 batch gets a definite thumbs up. With a blend of Carabrown, Midnight Wheat, Chocolate, and Vienna malts, complemented by Warrior and Willamette hops, this brew skillfully balances a spice-forward profile without tipping into overt sweetness. Here’s to more pleasant surprises in the seasons to come!

Style: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 9 %
IBUs: 45
Brewer: FX Matt Brewing Company, based in Utica, New York, is a family-owned brewery

Read our blog post “A Fluid List: The Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked,” to find out where The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, ranks in our top pumpkin beers list.

The product is a 16-ounce can of Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., which features orange packaging with white pumpkin illustrations against a white background.

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Review of Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.

Published on September 15, 2024

Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. is a solid choice for pumpkin beer lovers, though it doesn’t quite reach the top tier. This ale offers a mild sweetness balanced with a pleasant spice kick, featuring notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of candied yams. The warm pie crust finish rounds out the flavor profile nicely, and the 6.1% ABV provides a gentle warmth without overpowering the other elements.

While it might not be the most standout pumpkin ale on the market, it holds its own and sits comfortably in the middle of the pack. If you appreciate pumpkin beers, Gourdgeous Pumpkin is worth picking up. You can’t go wrong with a four-pack for the season. Are you curious to see where Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale ranks among the best pumpkin beers? Check out our Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked list for more insights.

Style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 6.1 %
IBUs: N/A
Brewer: Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., Waltham, Massachusetts-brewed, craft brewery

Beer

Get wrapped up in Cashmere Hoodie Pale Ale by Upper Pass Beer Company

Published on August 29, 2024

Cashmere Hoodie Pale Ale by Upper Pass Beer Company strikes a beautiful balance between bitterness and refreshment. The bitterness is just enough to keep it crisp without overpowering the mild citrusy nose and taste. The hops and malt are well-balanced, making this an easy-drinking beer that’s both satisfying and enjoyable.

With its smooth, refreshing profile and mild citrus notes, Cashmere Hoodie is a beer that you’ll want to keep coming back to. It’s a solid choice for any pale ale lover. It’s a solid restocker.

An ice cold, tall Krosno beer glass filled with Cashmere Hoodie Pale Ale by Upper Pass Beer Company with a thick, foamy head next to the can captures the hazy, golden-yellow appearance, topped with a thick, foamy head. — Cashmere Hoodie Pale Ale poured into an ice-cold tall **Krosno beer glass**. The beer, can be seen with a hazy, golden-yellow color, is topped with a thick, foamy head.

Style: Berliner Weisse
ABV: 5.3 %
IBUs: 36
Tasting Notes: Predominantly citrus-forward, well-balanced, and easy-drinking
Brewer: Upper Pass Beer Company, South Royalton, Vermont-based craft brewery

A 16-oz can of Blueberry Crunchee Imperial Blueberry Granola Berliner Weisse by Other Half Brewing on a white background.

Beer

Best Blueberry Beer I’ve Had: Blueberry Crunchee from Other Half Brewery

Published on July 26, 2024

My can of Other Half Blueberry Crunchee Imperial Blueberry Granola Berliner Weisse poured into the glass, thick like a smoothie. I’ll admit, it had been sitting in my fridge for at least four months, waiting to be reviewed. Naturally, I wondered if the age had affected it, so I checked the brewery’s website to see if I had waited too long to crack it open.

The Other Half Brewing described the beer as “a parfait in a can with a huge dose of blueberries, our hand-mixed granola blend, and some milk sugar.” What do you know? That’s exactly what I got.

Thick, sweet, and delicious. The beer tastes and looks just as they described it. If I were handed this in a blind taste test, I wouldn’t have guessed it was a beer. Maybe some kind of fruit-heavy, odd, thick cocktail. But not beer. The good thing is that it is a beer.

Having sampled my share of blueberry beers, I’ve never been moved enough by any to write a review. Blueberry is a fruit flavor that’s always had promise, but I just hadn’t tasted one that lived up to its full potential—until I cracked open a can of Blueberry Crunchee. Needless to say, it’s the best blueberry beer I’ve ever tasted, even with its weird thickness.

Tasty and bold at 7.5% ABV, a mild buzz kicks in just before finishing the glass. I can see in the glass residue why this beer is so thick and juicy. It’s just that: thick and juicy, stuffed with everything advertised, a parfait in a can with a huge dose of blueberries, a hand-mixed granola blend, and some milk sugar.

I’d definitely go for more Blueberry Crunchee beers if I didn’t have to watch my blood sugar levels. For those who don’t, go out and find a six-pack. You won’t be disappointed.

Style: Berliner Weisse
ABV: 7.4 %
IBUs: N/A
Tasting Notes: Heavy almond, dry coconut, vanilla, and lots of blueberry. Sweet with a quick drop to a very mild pucker.
Brewer: Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn, New York-based craft brewery