Pumpkin Ale

[Dapuma]

Best Pumpkin Ale? - Could use some suggestions to try - doesn't need to be happy hour if i can pick it up at Top's or AJ's that works for me

Schlafly's is the best I ever had, looking for something like that - 8% easy drinking and tastes of pumpkin

I don't care for the Pumpkin Porter from 4 peaks, no pumpkin flavor and too heavy and too light on the abv%

[cactuschowdah]

Got to agree with you on the Pumpkin Porter- tried it for the first time this weekend after hearing the raves, and I was underwhelmed.

[olllllo]

This is as comprehensive as you'll get here.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2012/10/phoenixs_pumpkin_beers_--_its.php

[Dapuma]

blue moon's pumpkin was pretty disappointing

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin sounds more up my alley, i like the higher abv brews

any idea who has that around town?

The Uinta Oak Jacked sounds interesting but i would bet it will be a bit to alcohol forward

[M_L]

Perhaps this will work for you?

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2012/10/harpoon-pumpkin-cider-review.html

[Dapuma]

Tried a few more suitable Pumpkin Brew's

Dogfish Head pumpking ale - 7% - pretty solid beer, not quite as pumpkin forward as I was really looking for but it was a good middle of the road pumpkin beer

Shipyard SMASHED Pumpkin Ale 9% - make sure it is the smashed version they have a regular version as well

This is more what I am talking about - Pumpkin forward actually tasting a bit graham crackerish on the initial sip then the hops cut back the sweetness a bit

This is not as good as Schlafly but it is in the right direction

I have a few more pumpkin brews to try but they are all the lower abv ones so i will get to them whenever...no rush there

[M_L]

SE put up a pretty massive review

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2012/10/which-is-the-best-pumpkin-beer-schlafly-uinta-samuel-adams-pumking.html

[cactuschowdah]

I had the non-Smashed Shipyard pumpkin this weekend and couldn't even finish it- it was soooo sweet.

[Dapuma]

SE put up a pretty massive review

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2012/10/which-is-the-best-pumpkin-beer-schlafly-uinta-samuel-adams-pumking.html

nice list, i have to try some more of those

Was quite happy to see the first one on the list: Schlafly Pumpkin Ale...oh so good...

[Libster]

The Smashed Pumpkin is much better - less sweet, and more ALC content.

Dogfish heads pumpkin is decent as well.

[Mike Z]

I'm late to this party . . . or a maybe early for next year . . .

Have tried near a dozen pumpkin brews, and my favorite is still the regular Shipyard's Pumpkinhead. With all the spices it's like christmas in a bottle.

Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter . . . was soooo good the first time I had it in 2006, but it's been weak to downright bleech since. I heard rumor that because of the huge demand they stopped using fresh pumpkins and went to canned? Don't quote me on that though, just know I've been underwhelmed since

[olllllo]

I'm late to this party . . . or a maybe early for next year . . .

Have tried near a dozen pumpkin brews, and my favorite is still the regular Shipyard's Pumpkinhead. With all the spices it's like christmas in a bottle.

Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter . . . was soooo good the first time I had it in 2006, but it's been weak to downright bleech since. I heard rumor that because of the huge demand they stopped using fresh pumpkins and went to canned? Don't quote me on that though, just know I've been underwhelmed since

I don't know the first year Four Peaks introduced the Pumpkin Porter. What I can tell is is that the first year or so, they did use real pumpkin and encouraged people to bring in their leftover Halloween pumpkins. If you're familiar with the brewing process, this isn't as scary as it seems. The boil and the fermentation process are the reason why low strength beer served as a safe alternative to water.

These days such a practice wouldn't fly. All kinds of government agencies are getting involved. Maricopa Country is requiring 3 compartment sinks in brewhouse for absolutely no reason. (No brewery washes their fittings like beer glasses, they use caustic.)

I can tell you that Four Peaks and a ton of other breweries use pumpkin puree (if they use pumpkin at all in their pumpkin beers--some just use the pie spice). The puree is really the only annual variable. It's either as consistent or inconsistent as you believe canned puree can be. I think a lot of brewers scoff at the idea that you can remember last years compared to this years.