Ghostfish Brewing Company Lunar Harvest Pumpkin Ale
What the brewers say
"Golden amber in color, light body with subtle creaminess, flavors of pumpkin pie, sweet malt, fall spices, balanced with fruity esters from Belgian Ale yeast and a touch of hop bitterness."
What our panel thought
"Light biscuit and bread crust malt, with a notable American hop aroma of pine and light citrus. Assertively bitter with forward pine and peppery hop notes along with lower apricot, and peach ester. Subtle spice notes of nutmeg and clove. It finishes dry with a lingering spicy bitterness. Not at all the beer we expected—as much pale ale as pumpkin."
What our editors thought
"Despite the pumpkin expectation, a defined PNW hop aroma bursts from the nose with gentle citrus and forest notes as well as a touch of shallot. In the sip, rather than sweet and cloying, it's crisp and lightly bitter—a pleasing diversion from pedestrian pumpkin fare, even if it sacrifices the Belgian fermentation note to get there."