Alt Platz Alt Kürbis Pumpkin Ale

Formerly brewed at Alt Platz Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Portsmouth, Virginia USA

Terrible beer, with a very strong phenolic character, not due to cloves, but due to off-flavors from wild yeast, which the brewer tried to mask by putting a heavy coating of cinnamon and sugar on the rim of the glass. The phenols come through in both the aroma and the flavor, which was also the case in other AP beers. The beer was cloudy, with a sporadic head. Cloudiness bears out the infection. Two of us split ~a 10 oz pour, and we could not finish it. On top of that, we were charged $12 for this minuscule pour. The claim is that this price is due to the high alcohol level, which is EXTREMELY unlikely. Based on palate considerations, it is likely less than 10%, this is just a poorly made beer that the brewer is making excuses for.

On tap at Alt Platz. 6 oz glass, part of the edge dipped in powdered sugar and spices. Murky chestnut brown with a beige ring of froth. First waft is gingerbread, thence on a wonderful amalgam of Christmas and pumpkin spice luring but not revealing the complete picture. Rich and smooth, mild carb. Wonderful to sip and savor. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, clove, mace and nutmeg are prominent. Hints of chipotle? A deft spice balance reminiscent of Pannepot. But this is a pumpkin beer and rightly so. Don’t think pie think baked pumpkin, earthy and fleshy, and thats what really makes this beer shine. An American classic.

Virginia Beer Fest 2007. Hazy dark amber body with a small tan head. Sweet pumpkin and heavy spice aroma. Sweet caramel, spice and pumpkin flavor.

I recalled this being listed as 18% ABV and now I see someone has changed it to 7.5% ABV. (NOTE: I now see where and why it was changed. I’m not sure why it lists the 7.5 % ABV on the website and why he told us that it was 16.5% in person unless there are two versions. I’ll try to confirm. UPDATE Got an email response from Tom. This batch was aged 8 months and came out to 16.5%. However, the next batch may not be. He will start brewing in 6 weeks and in 4-5 months, it will be ready and probably a different ABV. We can change it then). This was on at the Virginia Beer Festival yesterday (5-19-07) and the brewer, Tom, confirmed that this was actually 16.5% ABV in front myself, maniac and Cameron from Coastal Wine Connection. So I will be changing it after this review. Came out a thick muddy orange-rust color. Nose was powerful. Lots of spices, pumpkin pie, soft liquor and sweet malts. Maybe candied yams with marshmellows on them as well. Taste is bigger spice but it’s not overdone. Some soft alcohol, candy, sticky sugars and pumpkin pie. Body is medium-full to full. Soft carbonation. Very sticky but no warmth I could detect. Ends with more spices and pumkin pie with sticky sweet candyish notes. This went very quick once it was known to be out and the lines were large. Very well done pumpkin beer!

On tap at Alt Platz served in 6oz glasses. Dark dark amber in color with a thick beige head. Aroma was full of spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, etc) everything you’d expect in pumpkin pie and lots of pumpkin aroma. Flavor did not disappoint, it was like drinking liquid pumpkin pie. This was by far the best pumpkin beer I’ve had.

On tap at the brewpub 6 oz glass. Dark brown color off white head. Very complex aroma and taste. No alcohol taste this one will sneak up on you. The best pumpkin ale, I have had.

Right place, right time. Scammed some of Immy’s pre-release treat. After all of the seasonal & pumpkin ales I have tasted and frowned upon I wasn’t expecting to flip over one anytime soon, but this one was an eye opener, an awakening of slumbering senses. I think the brewer has his mother chained in the back making homemade pumpkin pie to mix in this brew. The golden-pumpkin-orange colored brew looked like pumpkin pie topped with a creamy off-white head like it was cool-whip. Aroma is every fresh spice you would expect in grandmas pie on Turkey day and then some. Flavor was same, spice combination perfectly complimented the pumpkin flavor in this soul warming spiced brew. Watch out for the alcohol because the high level is very well hidden making it easy to drink and yearning for more. Too bad for the rest of the world but due to the limited quantities only us few lucky locals will be priviledged enough to enjoy this outstanding brew. I know what I am doing for Halloween!

On tap at the brewpub. The owner gave me a sneak peek sample of this beer, to be officially released October 31. Golden brown with a big, thick, creamy beige head. Very complex nose - lots of spices, including (but not limited to) ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a light clove. Lots more, hard to nail them all down. An underlying pumpkin is behind the lush spiciness. Excellent, warming pumpkin pie flavors! Warming spiced finish, alcohol is present but VERY well disguised. Like a fortified wine, the nose blooms from the empty glass. Absolutely wonderful, the best I’ve ever had of the style. I’m no fan of pumpkin beers, but this is amazing. VERY well done, and thanks for the preview Tom!