Hello and welcome to the very first edition of Pumpkin Beer Month, where we will look at everything New England has to offer us for festive beers and ales with that special ingredient everyone loves on what seems like every food and drink you can possibly imagine: pumpkin and here in New England, we love our pumpkin flavored stuff. From our lattes, to our pies, to our breads heck even to our yogurts. There isn't anything they can make pumpkin flavored that will not turn out good for our palates. o it only seems normal that there would be some good people out there who would try to make beers out of it and for many, it's a mixed bag. Some aren't too thrilled by the ones that taste really artificial or those that put too much or too little spices into it. Me, I don't discriminate and I keep an open mind with everyone that I attempt. Today, we start Pumpkin Beer month out with the one that began it all: The Cambridge Brewing Company Great Pumpkin Ale
Brief History Lesson: Funny enough, the idea of pumpkin beers have been around much longer than you think.During colonial times, when barley was in short supply, people have to create beer from using ingredients closer to them. Corn and apples were a favorite, but during the fall time, many chose pumpkins. It fell in importance in the late 19th century when malts became more popular to use and pumpkin more or less fell by the wayside until brewers in the Craft Beer Renaissance decided to resurrect the tradition. Some of the first ones of the modern day uses similar recipies to the ones made back then and that is where Cambridge's own Great Pumpkin Ale comes into the picture
First impression: Well folks, for the first time on Brewin Around, we have come across our first beer that resembles a wine bottle with a cork sealant. I know it's nothing too out of the usual, but I guess the first modern day pumpkin beer of New England ought to have a very fancy look to it I guess. On the wrapping we see a destroyed pumpkin in bits and pieces as the perpetrator who cut it all down walks far away whistling in song with an axe in hand pretending like nothing happened. Hopefully that pumpkin wasn't owned by somebody or else I tell you, they are gonna wake up to that mess and be steamed and I wouldn't wanna be in the same area as that person. There is also a brief description of what is inside the beer and where they got all the stuff to make it.
Appearence: Kind of a very dark brown-orange color with the bottom of the glass showing off a bright orange hue. Definitely a unique look to it. Head is small to slim.
Aroma: Strong scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of molasses
Taste: Pumpkin flavor is subtile to tart but grows in the aftertaste. Nutmeg is brought out more here. A light hint of ginger hits you quickly, but not enough to really leave an impression. Cinnamon isn't as strong as the smell suggests, but it's present
Results: Out of all the pumpkin beers I've tried in years past (which is mostly the more well known ones that use artificial flavors to it) this seemed like a breath of fresh air. You can tell that they went the organic way with this one. nothing is too sweet or totally void of flavors. Pumpkin ales get a bad reputation, but I think this would be a good one to try or give a non-believer to. a solid ****.5/***** from me
This is gonna be a fun month and I look forward to expanding my palate more to pumpkin-based drinks. I'm gonna check out if there are any pumpkin stouts or the barrel aged-stuff around locally if I can because those seem to get a lot more praise so stay tuned all month long as I try out what New England has to offer. Until then, this is Andrew saying Cheers To You!
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