Clocktower Harvest Pumpkin Ale

Brewed by Clocktower Brewpub
Style: Fruit Beer
Ottawa, Canada

Serve in Flute, Shaker

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October 28, 2012 - 8th Annual Volo Cask Days. Cloudy amber-orange with a decent foamy off-white head. Smells like a solid but not amazing pumkin ale - sweet bready malt backbone, plenty of nutmeg and cinnamon; a bit sweet, hard to judge the alcohol from the aroma. Taste follows, but a little papery and dry, a bit too much spice - like cinnamon dust, it was almost gritty (7-). Average body, astringent, mildly carbonated, finishes very quickly - would like to rate it higher, but just okay, ultimately.

On tap at the brewpub (Bank St.). There seems to be wide score variation here, but I’m on the side that enjoyed this. Sprinkles of pumpkin seasoning on the head is sort of cheating, but whatever. Spicy, chai tea aroma. Pumpkin pie sweetness in the flavor. The tea spiciness to it is nice.

Pours dark amber, with a nice foamy head. Creamy in the mouth. Notes of pepper and pumpkin. Good long bitter finish. Not the most complex pumpkin beer out there, but decent nonetheless.

cask days @ beau’s oktoberfest, 2012. cloudy medium dark amber, orange hue, with a small white cap. tons of spices, all-spice, clove but mainly nutmeg. bland herbaceous hops, medium body, short citrusy finish. unbalanced brew.

Pint at Westboro location. Very deep amber, no head, sprinkling of pumpkin spice on top. Strong whiff of spices (go figure), some malts beneath, struggling for attention, the spices dominate. Medium body, relaxed effervescence. Still plenty of spice, a lot more malt balance, slightly fruity, drinkable; dry with minimal bitterness and a decent malty finish.

Cask at Vankleek Hill’s/Beau’s Oktoberfest. Opaque orange, no head. Smell is pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon. Taste is pumpkin and tons of spices: cloves, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, I can almost taste the pie itself. Light herbal, and somewhat citrusy bitterness. Interesting lingering spicy notes. Light bodied, watery mouthfeel. An excellent pumpkin ale!

One of the better pumpkin beers. More of an amber first with nutmeg and spices. Pours dark brown with orange highlights.

[4058-20111030] Cask. Smells like gingerbread men. Hazy, dark amber brown body body with a quick bubbly head. Gingery gourd flavour is a little watery. Medium body. A little bland but not bad. (6/3/6/3/13) 3.1
(Cask Days 2011 @ Hart House; Toronto, ON)

Cask days 2011. My wife bought this one, and im glad she did. Nice spicy nose, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg cloves. But it was all well balanced and somewhat subtle. The balance was great, the finish was biscuity sweet. Wow, i was very impressed.

Had this one a few years back and had liked it. Came with some spices on top of the head. This year, had it on cask (so no spices). Cloudy amber colour with a small off-white cap, low retention and minimal lacing. Nice light spicy nose with the cinnamon dominating and notes of pumpkin and nutmeg. Slightly watery mouthfeel. Mild spicy taste which is pretty close to the aromas, except for a little sourness. Refreshing enough pumpkin ale, but not sure about the little sourness (if infected). Recommended as a session spiced ale if you like an easy-going mild seasonal.