Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale

**Aroma:** “A smooth blend of pumpkin-pie spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) and a rich, bready sweet caramel malt character (bordering on toffee) compete for dominance, with a pleasant note of fresh-baked pumpkins.” **Flavor:** “Deep malt sweetness comes through as caramelized brown sugar and toffee, supported by a very nice spice character with notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Surprisingly balanced, considering the sweetness, thanks in part to the spice profile. Clean, crisp, warm finish with a slight lingering sweetness, but far from cloying. Definitely a big beer.” **Overall:** “This beer has a lot to offer—full-bodied, rich, and complex, with a very well designed spice profile that’s not too spiced nor too sweet. It all comes together well, and the warmth of the beer makes it bigger than most pumpkins. Big yet approachable.”

**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.”

**Aroma:** “Sweet aroma with perfumey herbal notes and slight spices. Subtle citrus, but the herbal spice is far more prominent. Bright wheat with bits of tangerine and black pepper. Floral with earthy almost coffee-like aromas.” **Flavor:** “Floral and herbal spice are balanced by the sweetness of wheat and citrus orange. Finish is not as crisp as one expects from a wit. Fruity acidity with some honey malt character backbone. Some spicy, peppery notes. No coriander and no citrus, but nice acidity.” **Overall:** “A refreshing and complex take on a wit. Spices are showcased, but the creaminess of unfiltered wheat comes through nicely. No obvious flaws, but grain sweetness seems out of balance and could use more coriander and citrus. The balance improves as you drink it.”