Blue Moon Brewing Company Harvest Pumpkin Ale
What the brewers say
“Deep amber ale with a rich, white head. Aroma of malty spice notes. Taste of malty notes balanced with the spices. A little bitterness balances the malt. Finishes with a smooth malt and spice taste.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Pumpkin, brown sugar, and caramel malt notes with a supportive spice character (cinnamon, ginger, clove, and allspice) plus a hint of hops and a bit of fruity esters.”
Flavor: “Pumpkin-pie flavors are prominent, with notes of toasted pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Just a touch of dark fruit esters—mostly raisin—with no hops to speak of. Malt character offers a bit of graham cracker crust, with a splash of brown sugar. A bit on the sweet side with a touch of sweetness lingering in the finish.”
Overall: “A nice example of the style although the malt character is fairly simple and straightforward. A tasty pumpkin beer with a considered use of spices that support and complement the pumpkin flavors. The caramel malts pair well with the pumpkin.”