Reviews

Beer

UFO Pumpkin beer review

Published on October 11, 2022

Updated: November 5, 2024

UFO’s Journey To Planet Pumpkin! showcases the brewery’s creativity by blending the smooth, approachable characteristics of a Hefeweizen with the festive flavors of autumn. Utilizing real pumpkin puree, this beer offers a velvety texture that’s enriched by the mild sweetness of pumpkin, balanced elegantly with understated notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a harmonious mix that respects the light and airy nature of a Hefeweizen while introducing the warm, inviting essence of fall spices.

This approach allows the natural flavors to shine, providing a subtle yet satisfying spice profile that complements rather than competes with the wheat beer foundation. Journey To Planet Pumpkin! stands out as a unique seasonal brew that demonstrates how traditional pumpkin spices can be thoughtfully integrated into a less common beer style for the category.

Ideal for both festive occasions and relaxed evenings, Journey To Planet Pumpkin! is a refreshing choice for those seeking a different kind of pumpkin beer experience—one that merges traditional autumnal tastes with the crisp characteristics of a Hefeweizen. This beer is a delightful nod to the season, perfect for savoring the cooler days and celebrating the fall in an unexpectedly light and flavorful way.

Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.9 %
IBUs: N/A
Brewer: UFO is brewed by the Mass Bay Brewing Company, based in Boston, Massachusetts. UFO is a craft brewery.

Beer

The Pumking of pumpkin beers reviewed

Published on October 1, 2022

Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale by Southern Tier Brewing Company delivers a bold and flavorful pumpkin beer experience. This imperial pumpkin ale pours a deep golden-orange with a foamy off-white head that fades into a thin cap. The aroma is inviting, offering a medley of warm pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, complemented by subtle vanilla undertones.

The flavor is rich and well-balanced, with pumpkin and spices taking center stage. While the beer leans sweet, it avoids crossing into overly sugary territory, maintaining a smooth and enjoyable profile. The 8.6% ABV adds a gentle warmth to the finish without overwhelming the palate. With its medium body, creamy texture, and moderate carbonation, Pumking is a festive and satisfying choice that highlights the best elements of pumpkin ales.

Want to see where Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale ranks on our list of Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked? Be sure to check out the full rankings!

Style: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 8.6 %
IBUs: 33
Brewer: Southern Tier Brewing Company, based in Lakewood, New York, is a craft brewery.

Beer

Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby Pumpkin Ale review

Published on September 25, 2022

According to Two Roads Brewing Company of Stratford, Connecticut, Roadsmary’s Baby is a traditional pumpkin ale aged in rum barrels for added complexity and depth of flavor. It is released in August as a fall seasonal.

I’m not sure about the pumpkin, but this is a good beer. In fact, if I had a blind taste test or if I hadn’t been told what kind of beer it was, I would never guess it was made with pumpkin. Review over.

Seriously, I’d drink this any time, seasonal or not. The only bad thing I can say about it is, “What pumpkin? I don’t taste any pumpkin or spices in this pumpkin beer.” It’s more of a great-tasting beer than a pumpkin ale. It’s smooth, dark, and clean. It kind of reminds me of Negra Modelo (not just because of color), but it feels a little heavier and has a fruity, citrus finish. I guess a better way to put it is that it’s more complicated.

This beer is recommended. Highly recommended!

Imperial Ale ABV: 6.8%
Seasonal
Available in 12-oz Bottles, 12-oz Cans, Growlers, and On Tap
Connecticut-Based Craft Brewery

12-ounce bottle of Long Trail Ale by Long Trail Brewing Company with a Vermont house and woods in the background.

Beer

Long Trail Ale a review made easy

Published on September 24, 2022

My family and I spend a lot of time in Vermont at my in-laws’ house during the fall and winter. For me, it’s a chance to slow down and rest while also doing computer-related work. That means sitting on the couch, catching up on TV shows, drinking beers and whiskey while I write content and update multiple websites.

During my most recent “mini-vacation,” I decided to review a beer from a Vermont brewer. I made my job easier by selecting one of the brands found in my brother-in-law’s refrigerator. The Long Trail Ale by Long Trail Brewing Company was my choice.

I found it malty and sweet, borderline smooth. For me, the beer is borderline tasty because it clashes with bitterness. It has a strong showing on my personal one-bottle buzz meter. After only one bottle, I was nice and relaxed before my whisky chaser.

It’s not a fantastic beer, but it’s adequate. While visiting Vermont, I would gladly order it on draft at any of the local restaurants.

VT IPA ABV: 6% – Available in 12-ounce cans and bottles.

Beer

Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale review

Published on September 23, 2022

I’ve never had a Samuel Adams beer that I didn’t like. This one was different because it was the first time a Sam Adams beer amazed me. I was taken because it was so flavorful. I’m not a pumpkin lover. In fact, this was my first pumpkin beer, and I went into this taste test with the attitude, “Let’s get this over with, so I can at least say I tried it.”

I took the first swallow. My brain got confused. The pumpkin and cinnamon flavors were blowing up inside my mouth. I was having a drink, but it felt like I should really be chewing. It tasted like I was drinking pumpkin pie.

The Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale really knocked my socks off and has started me on a quest to try and review other pumpkin beers. I mean, if there’s another beer out there that’s better, I have to find it.

Poking around the internet, I came across this hilarious SNL parody of a Sam Adams commercial starring Bill Burr. It is also a must-see.

A Saturday Night Live parody of a Sam Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale beer commercial featuring Bill Burr

How many beers are so tasty that they deserve a Saturday Night Live skit? I remember laughing at this sketch when I first saw it a few years ago, but today I fully appreciate it. There’s a line about a beer sitting in the fridge for 8 months that hits home. If you haven’t seen this hilarious skit, check it out. And then go out and try Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale. It is a must-buy, must-try seasonal beer.

Beer

If you’ve ever been to China you know Tsingtao beer

Published on September 2, 2022

If you’ve ever had a beer in China or visited an authentic Chinese restaurant in a densely populated Chinese area in the United States, you’ve probably come across Tsingtao Beer. It is the number-one beer brand in China and is currently the sixth-largest brewer in the world.

Unlike most really big beer brands, it is a good-tasting, respectable beer. Tsingtao starts and finishes cleanly. I can’t think of anything negative to say about it. However, nowadays I do find the price a little higher than it should be. That probably has more to do with the politics of the moment.

In my experience, apart from being a popular drink in mainland China, Tsingtao beer is also an important part of Chinese hospitality and a helpful marketing tool for the country’s businesses. Almost every factory that I have ever visited in China would take me to lunch, dinner, or a bar and would call for a toast that would go around the table. The boss would call for Tsingtao, and everyone would be served a small glass. With each declaration of “cheers”, the beer had to be downed to the last drop, ending with the slamming of the glass on the table. As time passed, the slams became louder and harder. At parties of at least 8 or more, which was about the norm, you couldn’t help but experience (for me in my youth) a healthy buzz within the first half-hour or so. During evening dinners, it was common to see people being helped out of restaurants. You can only imagine the late nights at the bars, and the commonality of vomiting guests being held up by colleagues shortly after inhaling the first bit of fresh night air.

Tsingtao Beer is a premium pale lager beer, pronounced “Qingdao.” The beer is brewed in Qingdao, China, by the Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. One of the first breweries in China, Germania-Brauerei Tsingtao Co., Ltd. was established in 1903 by German and British merchants, combining Chinese and Western influences.