Above are all the pumpkin ales that are readily available in Ontario. This post is a little late but there are still a few bottles around the provinces. These five were my first taste of pumpkin ale. The style reminds of christmas ale, something that is good but not something you want to drink alot of. Here is a photo and description of each one:
Brasserie McAuslan Brewery, St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale 5.0% 341ml - This is my favorite of the bunch. All the flavors are balanced well, There also is a nice creaminess to it. Looking at the ingredients this is the only one to include wheat in the grain bill as well.
Southern Tier, Imperial Pumking Ale 7.9% 650ml - Strong aroma of ginger snap cookies. Taste wise it is sweet, strong spicing, mostly ginger with a nice bitterness. There is a creamy, vanilla taste to it, very unusual. Out of all pumpkin ales this one is the closest to a pumpkin pie. If you're looking for a strong pumpkin ale this one takes the cake.
Grand River Brewery, Highballer Pumpkin Ale 5.2% 500ml - Pours a brown-amber colour. Light spicy-malt aroma. It taste quite good, perfect amount of spice, nothing over powering. Good easy drinking example.
Great Lakes Brewery, Pumpkin Ale 5.5% 650ml - Colour reminiscent of a pale ale. Mild spice flavor and aroma. Quite light to drink with a bitter finish. This one would be best if you are looking for a light pumpkin ale.
Brooklyn Brewery, Post Road Pumpkin Ale 5.0% 355ml - Copper colour. Strong spicy aroma with a little pumpkin smell. Heavy clove flavor. Not sure if I would pick this one up again.
A deep amber ale with low carbonation. Thick and sweet with a good amount of bittering hops to even everything out. You can truly taste the malted barley in this one. There is lots of lacing on the glass from the well hidden 10% alcohol. A nice winter sipper. This year I am going to age a few bottles, seems like a good candidate.
Above are all the pumpkin ales that are readily available in Ontario. This post is a little late but there are still a few bottles around the provinces. These five were my first taste of pumpkin ale. The style reminds of christmas ale, something that is good but not something you want to drink alot of. Here is a photo and description of each one:
Brasserie McAuslan Brewery, St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale 5.0% 341ml - This is my favorite of the bunch. All the flavors are balanced well, There also is a nice creaminess to it. Looking at the ingredients this is the only one to include wheat in the grain bill as well.
Southern Tier, Imperial Pumking Ale 7.9% 650ml - Strong aroma of ginger snap cookies. Taste wise it is sweet, strong spicing, mostly ginger with a nice bitterness. There is a creamy, vanilla taste to it, very unusual. Out of all pumpkin ales this one is the closest to a pumpkin pie. If you're looking for a strong pumpkin ale this one takes the cake.
Grand River Brewery, Highballer Pumpkin Ale 5.2% 500ml - Pours a brown-amber colour. Light spicy-malt aroma. It taste quite good, perfect amount of spice, nothing over powering. Good easy drinking example.
Great Lakes Brewery, Pumpkin Ale 5.5% 650ml - Colour reminiscent of a pale ale. Mild spice flavor and aroma. Quite light to drink with a bitter finish. This one would be best if you are looking for a light pumpkin ale.
Brooklyn Brewery, Post Road Pumpkin Ale 5.0% 355ml - Copper colour. Strong spicy aroma with a little pumpkin smell. Heavy clove flavor. Not sure if I would pick this one up again.
