Southern Tier Brewing Company Pumking

**Aroma:** “Caramelized brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla notes with subtle chocolate and cinnamon notes. Pumpkin is a bit subdued, but enhanced a bit with the caramel sweetness.” **Flavor:** “Very strong and unique vanilla, caramelized brown sugar, crème brûlée flavor up front with cinnamon and pumpkin-pie spices coming through next, followed by subtle milk chocolate notes. The spices enhance the profile of this beer and complement the malt sweetness and the vanilla. Pumpkin is there, but more of a background.” **Overall:** “The spice level is excellent and the base beer supports it well. Very enjoyable and unique. The flavors blend well, and the roast and vanilla character add good complexity. Nice caramel malt character and pumpkin notes with a fun spice character.”

**Aroma:** “Pumpkin notes and a touch of caramel malt with some clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This smells like a pumpkin-beer pie: crust, spice, warm, and some malt to make you think beer.” **Flavor:** “Where the nose was fairly mild, the flavor is much more interesting—a rich malt sweetness up front buffers the clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Notes of caramel and toffee with a bit of brown sugar, pumpkin, ginger, and vanilla. Hops bitterness balances nicely. More drinkable than one might expect—it’s not a big and heavy fall seasonal. Toasty crust lingers, reminds of pie. Finishes a bit sweet but nice for the style.” **Overall:** “Well-crafted pumpkin beer with a nice malt base and a compelling blend of spices. The spicing is bold but balanced. The spices and malt complexity are a delight. Everything works together to make a classic pumpkin beer.”

**Aroma:** “Piney and citrusy hops notes up front work well with the malt spiciness. A touch of malt sweetness comes through, maybe with a hint of caramel. Medium yeast notes of plum and apple cider. Pine and citrus hops give it a slightly earthy character.” **Flavor:** “A bit more subdued on hops flavor than most APAs, with the hops flavors competing a bit with rye and maybe even caramel malt notes. This pale doesn't make the hops the star of the show; it’s more a bit player behind an intriguing maltiness with bread crust, caramel, and biscuit notes. Earthy and spiced notes of rye add complexity.” **Overall:** “I like the complexity the rye malt adds, but think it would work better with larger amounts of spicy hops, such as Chinook. The citrusy hops don't seem to play as well with the rye. Enjoyable, and a different take on APA. The spice and malt character blend well with the hops that come through more in the finish than on the front. Very drinkable.”