Pumpkin Beer Taste Test 2012: Getting better...

M and I do not consider ourselves beer connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination, though some may say we could be categorized as beer snobs. We challenged ourselves to hunt down and try as many pumpkin beers as we could this fall. We've rated every beer we've tried (according to this guide on ratebeer.com) and we are presenting this guide for you.

Please keep in mind that this is in no way comprehensive, and your tastes may vary from ours. Even if we rate a certain brewer's pumpkin beer poorly, that doesn't mean that you will dislike it also.  By all means, we encourage you to try any and all of these and let us know what you think!

Samuel Adams Fat Jack and Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Samuel Adams Fat Jack

Appearance: Nice color, deep, porter-like. Full foamy head.

M's appearance rating: 4/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 2/5

Aroma: Sour aroma.

M's aroma rating: 6/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 0/10

Palate: Very smooth but fizzy on finish.

M's palate rating: 2/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 4/5 

Flavor: M thinks it's sour like a Belgian style beer. Crystal thinks there is no pumpkin or spice flavors but has a distinct molasses flavor.

M's flavor rating: 6/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 2/10

M's overall rating:  18/30 C  |  Crystal's overall rating: 8/30 F

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Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Appearance: Caramel color, little to no lacing or head, looks like iced tea.
M's appearance rating: 3/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 3/5

Aroma: Crystal thinks it smells spicy, but sweet clove powers through the other scents. M says it smells 'quite nice' like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
M's aroma rating: 6/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 5/10

Palate: Smooth, little fizz on the tongue.
M's palate rating: 2/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 3/5

Flavor: Crystal thinks it tastes more like a sweet pastry than a beer, like sweet potato pie and has a dry finish. M thinks the clove hits heavy on the first sip and overpowers all other flavors, almost makes you thirsty. If you like cloves, this is for you.
M's flavor rating: 5/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 5/10

M's overall rating:  16/30 C-  |  Crystal's overall rating: 16/30 C-

Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale and Hoppin' Frog Double Pumpkin Ale

Wolaver's Pumpkin Ale

Appearance: Hazy, like cider, not much head or lacing.
M's appearance rating: 4/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 4/5

Aroma: Crystal think it smells like pumpkin with no spice. M thinks it smells like pumpkin and cinnamon, 'smells like the inside of a carved pumpkin.'
M's aroma rating: 7/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 4/10

Palate: Light bodied and bubbly.
M's palate rating: 3/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 2/5 

Flavor: M thinks it's for fans of pumpkin more than spice. Crystal thinks it's bitter at first with a pumpkin finish, kind of bland.
M's flavor rating: 7/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 4/10

M's overall rating:  21/30 B  |  Crystal's overall rating: 14/30 D-

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Hoppin' Frog Double Pumpkin Ale

Appearance: Decent, foamy head on pour that dissipates, light orange/amber color.
M's appearance rating: 3/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 3/5

Aroma: Crystal thinks it smells nice, spicy pumpkin and cinnamon aroma. M says it smells like cinnamon and clove.
M's aroma rating: 8/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 8/10

Palate: Smooth and silky, little fizz on the tongue.
M's palate rating: 4/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 4/5

Flavor: Crystal thinks it tastes initially well balanced, but the aftertaste is overpoweringly spicy. M thinks it's 'a punch in the face of spices and finishes on clove.' It can be disgusting or delightful depending on your preference.
M's flavor rating: 5/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 3/10

M's overall rating:  20/30 B  |  Crystal's overall rating: 18/30 C

Harpoon Pumpkin UFO and Southern Tier Pumking

Harpoon Pumpkin UFO

Appearance: Light orange/amber color, head dissipates completely, no lacing.
M's appearance rating: 2/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 3/5

Aroma: Crystal think it smells like sweet pumpkin and cinnamon. M left his 'aroma' comments blank on this one.
M's aroma rating: 6/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 8/10

Palate: Fizzy, but easy to drink.
M's palate rating: 3/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 3/5 

Flavor: M thinks it's spicy pumpkiny, smooth and sweet. 'Drinkable, tastes like pumpkin - like it should.' Crystal thinks it's light pumpkin and spice, nicely balanced.
M's flavor rating: 7/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 7/10

M's overall rating:  18/30 C  |  Crystal's overall rating: 21/30 B

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Southern Tier Pumking

Appearance: Very light orange amber, head on pour that dissipates, little to no lacing.
M's appearance rating: 2/5  |  Crystal's appearance rating: 3/5

Aroma: Crystal thinks it smells balanced between pumpkin and spice, but something is slightly off. M left the aroma comments blank on this one too.
M's aroma rating: 7/10  |  Crystal's aroma rating: 7/10

Palate: Slight fizz on the tongue.
M's palate rating: 3/5  |  Crystal's palate rating: 4/5

Flavor: Crystal thinks it VERY sweet, but well balanced between pumpkin and spice. M thinks it embodies everything that is 'candy' about halloween, like a pumpkin pie but with a sour finish.
M's flavor rating: 7/10  |  Crystal's flavor rating: 6/10

M's overall rating:  19/30 B-  |  Crystal's overall rating: 20/30 B


Come back tomorrow to see our top five!
Check out the others:
Bottom of the barrel
A slight improvement