Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale

This beer has the distinction of being the only beer in the world that I have tried that I couldn’t finish. Not only did I find it awful, but I couldn’t even "choke it down" (Though I did attempt that, as not to waste it.) My repulsion at this was seconded by some of my friends who I pawned a bottle off on just to see if they agreed. They all did: it is the worst beer I have ever had!!

Poured a lightly cloudy orangish golden color with hardly any head to speak of. The aroma was predominately cloves. The taste was also of cloves and then peppermint to me. The flavor developed a little bitterness on the finish that lasted on the palate for a little while. I really didn’t get a flavor or aroma of pumpkin at all.

Here is another one of my "fun with aging" project. My girlfriend loves pumpkin beers and we get at least a six pack every year. So in 2006 I saved a bottle and in 2007 I saved a bottle as well. Finally getting around to trying how they aged. I am pretty sure that these are released in late August, so no real pumpkin in these beers I fear. Got out my sampling glasses from different events and decided to put them to use.

The 2007 beer pretty much seems like it does when fresh. Its got a lot of artificial pumpkin in the aroma, a bit too vegetal and artifical. Taste is very much like a heavier British pale ale with pumpkin and cinnamon.6/3/7/3/13

The 2006 bottle is better in my opinion. Aroma hits you with some aged malts by way of caramel and light chocolate. Just a little bit of clove and pumpkin left over. Taste is similarly a bit richer and just light spices in the aftertaste.7/3/7/3/15

Obviously, I prefer the older bottle. Both are hazy orange colored with a small head. Medium light body with low bitterness.

Light, burnt orange color with fluffy off white head. Pumpkin pie spice aroma mixed in with metallic bitterness. Clove and nutmeg dominate the taste. Man, the more I get the aroma the less I like it. Taste is overall pretty smooth and enjoyable. The aroma keeps throwing me off though. Finishes bitter.

Pours a hazy orange with little to no head. Aroma is strongly of pumpkin spice up front quickly following with yeast. Flavor is pumpkin spice and wheat with a surprising bitterness backbone that holds it together at the end.

Pourse to a light reddish-orange color with a thin white head that disspates quickly and leaves little lacing. Aroma is a very pleasant mix of fall spices and foods. It reminded me of Thanksgiving dinner. Mouthfeel is medium boided and slightly sweet, followed by flavor that accented the spices, mostly nutmeg, with a hint of pumpkin. Finsih was smoooth and of medium duration, although the pumpkin left a bit of an aftertaste that was not pleasant. All and all, not a bad Fall beer.

Pours a clear copper with a golden hue. Two fingers of white head that dies to a ring and laces very little. Smell is awesome. Smells like a freshly baked pumpkin pie is in my grill as I sniff away. Tastes of mild pumpkin, spice and a mild but sweet malty backbone. A slight rind in the finish. Medium in the mouth and nice carbonation. Extremely drinkable, I could easily make an evening out of this treat.

I keep trying to like pumpkin ales but I just don’t get it. Was allspice and cinnamon supposed to go in beer?