Day 31: Blue Mountain Brewery Spooky Ale

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for…  Candy, costumes, cocktails, and the last entry for the 31 Pumpkin Challenge!

I’d like to take a minute to be super cheesy and say Happy Six Years of Knowing You to Mr. Christopher Wayne. 🙂  (Doesn’t everyone celebrate their meetiversary?)  Who knew that Hannah Montana and Paulie Bleeker would grow up and get married?  I’d like to thank a lot of beer for allowing us to meet, get the conversation started, and keep the party going.  To a million more Halloweens with you by my side…but not in couple’s costume because we don’t really care for that. 😉

Without further ado…  The beer I’ve been most excited about all month, purely based on aesthetics.  (What kind of beer comes with a cork?!)

         
Exhibit A: Cruise cocktail waitress Margarita Rocks.  A pint of Spooky Ale, anyone?  Murder Mystery bound!
Exhibit B:  Charlie totally entranced by Spooky.  Never have I ever seen a cat so interested in beer.  (Yes Courtney, I know…  No cats on the counter…)

Blue Mountain Barrel House Spooky Ale
Produced in Arrington, Virginia.  ABV: 8.2%.  Described on the label as: “Has there ever been a better feeling than when you were a kid spiriting around the neighborhood in a white sheet with a bucket of candy bars?  No, not really.  But we figured if we loaded up an Imperial pumpkin ale with natural chocolate flavor from cocoa nibs and stuck in a bourbon barrel for a few months, it might come pretty close.”

My opinion?  I like your style, Blue Mountain.  Hit me with the nostalgia for my favorite holiday.  Since this entire challenge has been spent comparing one pumpkin beer to the previous one, I have a few comments…  For a bourbon barreled pumpkin beer, it’s considerably more tolerable.  It’s the sweetest bourbon beer I’ve ever had, hinting with slight pumpkin notes.  It’s boozy with a thick head.  Is this the best beer I’ve had all month?  Of course not.  Is it just the right amount out of my comfort zone?  Definitely.

Day 30: Schafly Pumpkin Ale

‘Twas the night before Halloween, when all through the house
Every a creature was stirring, except for the mouse;
The cobwebs were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that All Hallow’s Eve soon would be there;
The children were frightened, all hiding in their beds;
While visions of goblins danced in their heads…

Happy Halloween Eve, kiddos!  Let’s drink!

         
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau

The Saint Louis Brewery Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
Produced in St. Louis, Missouri. ABV: 8.0%. Described on the website (in MUCH more detail than the label) as: “Our Pumpkin Ale blends the spices of the harvest with full-bodied sweetness for a beer that tastes like pumpkin pie. Pounds of pumpkin form a malty foundation that supports the fall flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. While pumpkin beers were produced in the early days of the American colonies, they were different from the pumpkin beers we know today. Colonists used pumpkin and squash as the fermenting medium, since malted barley was scarce. Once malt became more readily available, it replaced these alternatives to grain. In the 1990’s, American craft brewers reintroduced the style to the delight of pumpkin beer drinkers.”

My opinion?  Can I just say that I love that pumpkin was commonplace for beer fermentation in early America?  So hipster.  Anyway, I don’t know if I’m getting burned out or if I just let this one sit around for too long…  But I loved this ale at room temperature!  Sure, it was good at first pour.  But after it warmed up a smidgin, I could distinctively pick out all the spice flavors.  Let’s make warm beer a thing!  (Ew.)

Days 25 & 26: The weekend means pints of pumpkin

I always try to save my big beers for the weekends.  Sometimes I’m thankful to save the big ones for my free time…  Sometimes I dread the affects of ‘big beers.’ This weekend is a good example of big beers kicking me in the pants.  They’re worth sharing with friends but also beware of high alcohol content…

                    

Du Claw Brewing Pumpkin Retribution
Produced in Baltimore, Maryland.  ABV: 11.5%.  Described on the label as: “A bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with rich aromas of espresso and dark chocolate, and smooth roasted malt flavor, aged for 6 months in charred oak bourbon barrels with pumpkin spice to add the natural vanilla and caramelized sugar flavors of the wood, and the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger essence of the spice to the beer. Not since the spectre of a legendary horseman ruled the night has there been a more righteous form of Justice Pumpkin-fied.”

My opinion?  Pinch my nose, close my eyes.  This another one of those way-out-of-my-comfort-zone-beers…  (Clarification: I like my espresso with lots of milk and I haven’t eaten chocolate since I was about 5 years old…yes, I know I’m not a real girl.)  This beer is DARK and the foam is thick and smooth no matter how slow I pour it.  I’m forcing myself to finish this pint (and 6 ounces) because it cost me $25… Yes, I paid $25 for one, albeit large, beer.  You’re getting the play-by-play, WordPress.  I’m trying to drink it fast to just be done with it.  But then it’s making me feel ill.  I taste no pumpkin or spices, only bad decisions reminiscent of freshman year. 

                   

Wild Wolf Brewing Company Howling Pumpkin
Produced in Nellysford, Virginia.  ABV: 7.0%.  Described on the label: “A wonderfully spiced nose and a beautiful orange color lead into this perfectly balanced fall beer.  Just the right around of molasses and pumpkin pie spice make this a must have for the pumpkin beer lover.”

My opinion?  Yay for another local beer!  It’s a little bitter for my pumpkin lovin’ taste but the spice notes are definitely there.  The more I think about it, the more I remember how bitter molasses can be in it’s pure form.  For the ‘real’ beer drinkers, this is probably the pumpkin beer for you.

Day 23: Alewerks Pumpkin Ale

There are a handful of things I know about Williamsburg, Virginia…
1.  Fun fact…  It was the former capitol of Virginia until the Revolutionary War.
2.  House Dressing.  ‘Nuff said.
3.  Actors dressed in historically accurate Colonial garb always make for educational fun.
4.  Alewerks Pumpkin Ale is the definition of fall in a glass…

         

Aleworks Pumpkin Ale
Produced in Williamsburg, Virginia.  ABV: 7.3%.  Described on the website as: “This amber colored ale is loaded with Pumpkin pie aroma and flavor. It actually does taste like Pumpkin pie! At 7.3% ABV, it will keep you warm on a cool Autumn eve.”

My opinion?  If it wasn’t already obvious, I’m infatuated in this beer.  It smells sweet and tastes sweet (with a slightly hoppy finish).  The pumpkin and spice flavors aren’t shy and I like that in a beer.  I often feel like beer descriptions are full of fluff but this one is short, sweet, to the point, and spot on.  I’m on a new quest to find this beer on tap (’cause everyone knows anything on tap is better) and it’s fairly local to me.  Go give Alewerks a try!  It’s an 8.

Day 21: Devil’s Backbone Pumpkin Hunter

I think my tastes have matured.  Last year, I started to play with the idea of ‘I-love-October-so-much-I-should-learn-to-drink-seasonal-beers.’  It went a little something like this…  #insta #throwbacktuesday

I didn’t know what I was doing or where to find craft beers outside of Martin’s Build-A-Pack section.  Thankfully this year I searched high and low for new brews.  (Okay, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Hagerstown don’t qualify for an extensive search but I was able to muster up 31 pumpkin beers in only three cities.)  Regardless, I’ve learned a lot about what I like and don’t like when it comes to beer in general.  I’ve been grateful to take this time to share my opinions with the blog-o-sphere and hope you’ve enjoyed this journey so far.  Before I get too mushy, let’s dive into tonight’s beer…

         

Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company Pumpkin Hunter Ale
Produced in Lexington, Virginia.  ABV: 5.1%.  Described on the website as: “This frighteningly delicious ale is orange amber in color with subtle pumpkin sweetness. Enjoy the warming flavor and aroma of pumpkin pie in a glass. You’ll lose your head over this one!”

My opinion?  I’m always pleased to drink a local beer and this is no exception.  This pumpkin ale is light and crisp, making it very drinkable.  The pumpkin and pumpkin spices are minimal but it still makes for a nice seasonal beer.  Nothing super special about this one but I would drink again given the opportunity.  It’s a 7.

Day 15: Starr Hill Box Carr Pumpkin Porter

Let me take a minute to get on my soap box tonight.

I feel passionately about supporting small businesses.  I spent my first 2.5 years out of college managing a woman’s boutique in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.  I saw the highs and lows of competing for business against large corporations.  Small businesses are run by the most passionate owners that care about delivering not only a quality product but also a memorable experience to very customer that walks through the door.  Although my days of retail management are behind me (and I’m now working for the Man… :/), I still make every effort to shop locally.  For every $100 spent locally, $68 goes back into the community through taxes, payroll, and other spending, as opposed to $43 of every $100 spent at a large chain.

So how does that apply to tonight’s beer?…  Craft beer is big craze popping up all over the country and I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by many local breweries in the Shenandoah Valley.  For Chris’ Quarter Life Crisis birthday, I surprised him with a trip to Crozet, Virginia for a tasting at Starr Hill Brewery.  I became smitten with Monticello Reserve Ale, which mirrors the brewing techniques from Thomas Jefferson’s beer drinking days.  (Is there anything cooler?!)

Happy 25th, boo!

Since I’m hanging out in the Crozet/Charlottesville area tonight for a Ben Rector concert at The Jefferson, I thought it was only appropriate to crack open my Starr Hill pumpkin beer.  While you’re reading this, check out this YouTube video: Ben Rector — I Wanna Dance With Somebody.  (Who doesn’t love a good cover of Whitney done by a signer/songwriter?)

                   

Starr Hill Brewery Box Carr Pumpkin Porter
Produced in Crozet. Virginia.  ABV: 4.7%.  Described on the website as: “Box Carr is an ode to the simpler days of folk music, when all a musician needed was a guitar and the railway.  Traveling the world and sharing the gift of song is much like sharing the Gift of Great Beer.”

My opinion?  Again, this beer is a little out of my comfort zone since it’s a porter.  There are heavy notes of coffee but has a watery finish.  I’m trying to pretend I’m sipping on an iced pumpkin coffee to get the full feel.  (Can someone pass the creamer, please?)  It’s definitely drinkable as far as I’m concerned but not as pumpkin-y as I’d hope.

I’ll always try Starr Hill (and all other local breweries!) in my efforts to support local and I urge you to find local breweries to your area.  You’ll be surprised by the expertise and variety they have available!

PS — If you’re reading this, Happy Birthday Big Brother!  Can’t wait to see you at Thanksgiving!

Day 14: Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

Am I the only one who had to look up Dogfish?  I thought it was just a clever name…  Wiki doesn’t lie.  [Side note, apparently there’s also a Catshark…  New brewery name, anyone?]

There’s nothing I love more than a creative label…  A deranged teddy bear digs his fangs into a pumpkin, as pulp drip down his talons.  Now let’s see how it measures up in regards to taste…

         

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Punkin Ale
Produced in Milton, Delaware.  ABV: 7.0%.  Described on the label as: “A full bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.”

My opinion?  Another great seasonal beer that misses the elusive pumpkin pie status I’ve been searching for.  Don’t get me wrong — I like a good Octoberfest-style beer as much as the next guy.  But I’ve encountered one too many of them along this journey.  I think ‘full bodied‘ is another term for ‘not enough pumpkin.’  This ale is slightly bitter at first taste and balances out to smooth finish.  The journey continues, folks…

Day 13: Heavy Seas The Greater Pumpkin

Happy Columbus Day!  Let me just say, I love banker’s hours.  I could definitely get used to 3-day weekends where I do nothing but accomplish all the tasks I don’t want to do during my precious Saturdays/Sundays off.  Onward-ho to the laundry room!  But before I separate my lights from my colors from my darks (anal retentive, I know), let’s try a pumpkin ale!

(Also, who else is super amused that this brewing company is called Heavy Seas?  I mean, c’mon!  It’s Christopher Columbus Day!)

         

Heavy Seas The Greater Pumpkin
Produced in Baltimore, Maryland.  ABV: 10.0%.  Described on the label as: “As fall approaches and thoughts turn to Halloween, we roll out the Greater Pumpkin.  A coppery ale with forward notes of vanilla oak and flavors autumnal spice, the ale is brewed with actual pumpkin and imported English malts.  Pairs well with turkey legs, sweet potatoes, and an evening looking at the stars…”

My opinion?  I would like to start off by saying, I love bourbon.  There’s nothing better than a whiskey sour…a little sour, a little sweet, and a cherry on top, uh, bottom.  This ale has a nice color and underlying taste of pumpkin.  But it was aged in bourbon barrels and that strong bourbon taste coats my mouth long after I finished swallowing.  It’s a bold beer.  If this is the Greater Pumpkin, I’d like to meet the Greatest Pumpkin.

Day 10: Saranac Pumpkin Ale

Tonight’s beer actually sparked the start of my 31 Pumpkin Challenge.  I was barefoot and fancy free this past August, soaking up the rays on Topsail Island, aka the happiest place on Earth. (Disneyland has nothing on Topsail.  And it certainly cannot be the happiest place on Earth when you have a facial cast…but that’s another story for another day…)  Regardless, this family beach trip called for a pilgrimage to the local Harris Teeter for provisions.  Can I just say, I love Harris Teeter?  Is it wrong to love a grocery store?  If you live near a Harris Teeter, go spend your afternoon perusing the shelves.  You won’t be disappointed.

Back to the story…  My time spent splashing in the waves with blonde, little nieces was cut short by the reminder of fall looming.  I just had to pick up this bottle of Saranac because… 1. I was 300+ miles from home and who knows if I’d find it again.  2. August, smaugust…I love fall.  And so began the hunt for 31 pumpkin beers.

Anyone else remember summer?…

                                                      

Matt Brewing Company Saranac Pumpkin Ale
Produced in Utica, New York.  (SO many NY beers!)  ABV: 5.1%.  Described on the website as: “In celebration of the fall harvest. Here’s an autumn favorite that’s as enjoyable as pumpkin pie. This hearty ale is brewed with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and vanilla. Look for a full body and amber color. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this special brew.”

My opinion?  For the cute quart-size jug alone, it’s worth picking up.  With all the ‘Octoberfest’-esque beers that I’ve encountered recently, this is definitely a step up.  The more I drink, the more I taste the pumpkin and the less I taste the bitterness.  It’s a 6 folks. (Someone, please stop me before I consume 32 ounces of beer…)

Day 9: RJ Rockers Brewing Company Gruntled Pumpkin Ale

We’re about a third of the way through my 31 Pumpkin Challenge and I think it’s only appropriate that we take a little poll…

Dear Dedicated Readers (yes, all two of you),
Am I being too harsh on these meager pumpkin beers?  (Spoiler alert for tonight’s ale!)  Chris gave me flack today about my critical approach to these brews.  “You’re trying to find pumpkin pie in a bottle,” he protested.  “But they’re just an adaptation of Octoberfest with a little pumpkin and a little spice.”

Whoa there.  This is something I feel passionately about.  Do not print ‘BREWED WITH PUMPKIN AND SPICES’ on my label if there isn’t a generous flavor of both.  I didn’t decide to drink a beer a day just to be underwhelmed by spices and gourd.

So readers, what are your thoughts?  Are you satisfied with an October lager?  Or do you crave seasonal pumpkin spices?

As you mull this over, let’s take a look at today’s beer…

         

RJ Rockers Brewing Company Gruntled Pumpkin Ale
Produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  ABV: 7.0%.  Described on the label as: “The Gruntled Pumpkin planted the seed and started a revolution for all pumpkin-kind.  To guard the promising vines of the future that would eventually blossom to come the bottom of the barrel (and that’s a good thing) of this new pumpkin ale.”

My opinion? A charming pumpkin scarecrow kicks back with that I can only assume is Gruntled…  (Pumpkin-cannibalism much?)  And that’s where the pumpkin ends.  It’s an ode to fall beers which I’d definitely drink again if I wasn’t searching for something different.  (I would like to clarify…  I haven’t had a ‘bad’ beer yet.  They’re just lacking certain flavors I look for in a pumpkin beer.)