F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Pumpkin Ale

“Aroma blends coffee, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg. Strong blonde coffee flavor with hints of candied walnuts and Fig Newtons. Light fruity alcohol note.”

**Aroma:** “Initially oral, earthy hops come through, but then a pleasant chocolate aroma. It is almost like fresh baked chocolate cake with a little vanilla and even sweet biscuit notes. Faint hints of spice. A very faint whiff of alcohol.” **Flavor:** “First impression is of plums and cinnamon, followed by nutmeg and medium toffee. Pumpkin-pie spice and vanilla. Understated hops bitterness delivers without overpowering. Similar to the aroma, but much more intense. A slight warmth from the alcohol, but does well to help cut the sweetness.” **Overall:** “An enjoyable wintertime ale. Sipping this beer over a period of time reveals complex malt and spice notes. There’s just enough bitterness to make it not cloying. The vanilla and caramel notes go together nicely. A pleasantly surprising beer with some very interest- ing avors that work well with the style.”

**Aroma:** “Smells rich, like pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg come through prominently—it’s tough to discern much beyond those spices.” **Flavor:** “Light bodied and highly carbonated, which really make the spices pop. The initial subtle note of sweet brown sugar is quickly overtaken by myriad spices, the strongest being cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. It’s very tasty but out of balance with the mild malt backbone. Surprisingly, spices aren’t so overdone to carry over too strongly in the finish, with a bit of sweetness lingering in the light alcoholic finish.” **Overall:** “Christmas-spice fans rejoice! This beer has one of the best spice aromas I have experienced, but I’d like to see a touch more body to support the strong spice character. However, still a very tasty beer that is sure to please any spice fan.”