Post Road Pumpkin Ale
September 16, 2009
Last year, The Brew Club embarked on an unofficial ‘Oktoberfestathon‘ where we reviewed a poop-load of Autumn seasonal beers, Oktoberfest beers and even a couple of Pumpkin flavored beers. Well, its that time again! Brace yourself for Oktoberfestathon ‘09! Our first contestant is Post Road Pumpkin Ale from Brooklyn Brewing!
The Post Road Pumpkin Ale is, according to its label, based on Pumpkin Ales that were brewed by 18th Century colonial American beer nerds. Pumpkins were used in the beer because they were abundant, local, and ‘melded perfectly with malted barley’.
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever just eaten pumpkin without any spices or flavoring, but generally its not as tasty as one might think. Sure its ‘pumpkiny’, but I think that the flavors we all have come to love when associating with pumpkin are actually a combination of spices and additives to the pumpkin which creates that wonderful flavor.
Think pumpkin pie. Cinnamon, nutmeg, that kind of crap.
Pumpkin in itself is pretty lame tasting. If you don’t believe me, go eat one.
What’s the point? Well, much like pumpkin pie is made delicious by the spices added to the pie mix, so it is true for many Pumpkin Ales – particularly this one.
This 5% ABV pumpkin ale is beautiful in the glass, very amber and clear. The head is a slightly off white color and the aroma, as previously mentioned is more on the spicy pumpkin pie variety than just pumpkin.
Drinking the Post Road Pumpkin Ale, I get a sense of pumpkin on the flavor, but to me the spotlight is again hogged by the spices that are added to the mix. I’m not complaining, its just that you taste the spices in this particular beer much more than the pumpkin flavors.
As a matter of fact, there is a spicy burn in the aftertaste – something like cinnamon. Like I said, it isn’t bad, but perhaps a little too much on the spices in this beer than maybe need be. I think a better name for this beer might have been ‘Spicy Pumpkin Pie Ale’ or something along those lines.
Trying to sum up the Post Road Pumpkin Ale, I think its a decent beer and I think it would be great to enjoy around a fire on a cool Autumn night. I’d have it again, in the sense that I wouldn’t turn one down, but I don’t see myself buying it again. I have a feeling it isn’t going to be my favorite Pumpkin Ale of the season!
Looking back, its definitely better than Michelob’s Jack’s Pumpkin Spice, but not quite as good as the Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale. We’ll see how it does against this year’s batch which includes the Dogfish Head Punkin next!
Rating: 
Do you have a favorite Pumpkin Ale? If you do, why not tell us what it is and why you enjoy it?
Posted in 2 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers
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September 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Wow, good enough to beat out a Michelob, huh? That’s the definition of “damned with faint praise.”
I’m curious to see what you think of the Dogfish Head pumpkin beer, as those guys always have something interesting up their sleeves.
Jim´s last blog ..Ales and Ailments
September 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I would recommend Shipyards Pumpkinhead. I had it last night on draft and was really happy about it. It had a very gingerbread like taste to it that I loved.
Mike´s last blog ..Blue Fin Stout
September 16th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
@Mike. I ‘think’ Shipyard also makes a brew called ‘Smashed Pumpkin’ that I’m also trying to find. I don’t know. I keep trying these pumpkin beers but usually find them to be a let down. I think its a great concept though, so I just keep looking!
@Jim, heh, I hadn’t thought if it that way, but I guess it is ‘damned with faint praise’! Little teaser, Punkin’ was better…
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Abita Satsuma Harvest Wit Beer
September 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
My favorite Pumpkin beer just so happens to be one of my favorite beers of all time. Southern Tier Pumking. Yumm!
Dave´s last blog ..Oh two more quick reviews!: Stone 13th Anniversary Ale and The Bruery Trade Winds Tripel
September 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
@dave, TNX for stopping by! I’m actually heading out tonight looking for the Pumking! Most of what I’ve heard about the Pumking has been very favorable.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Local Craft Beer – New Jersey
September 16th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I’ve been looking to try this beer for awhile now, it just hasn’t been around the local stores. I’m a big fan of Brooklyn Brewing Company so I try and get as many of their brews as I can.
Dogfish Head’s is exceptional. It is the right amount beer, the right amount spices, and the right amount pumpkin. I would also go with Shipyard as well. I believe it is called Pumpkinhead, but they also released a stronger version called Smashed Pumpkin (I think). Good luck in your seasonal adventures.
Nate´s last blog ..WW #32
September 17th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Nice review! I’ve always dug the Post Road. If you want some recommendations to try, we did a huge tasting of Pumpkin beers last year: http://drinkcraftbeer.com/editorial/articles/the-great-pumpkin-beer-tasteoff.html
We also have a cool recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, which were delicious!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:40 am
@Jeff – Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies! I should ignore that suggestion…but I won’t! Thanks for the link!
scott-thebrewclub´s last blog ..Schneider & Brooklyner Hopfen Weisse Beer
September 18th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
At the same tasting I also got to try the Southern Tier Pumpking. If pumpkin ales can have opposites the Dogfish Punkin and the Pumpking are it.
The nose on the PumKing is overpowering with pumpkin, vanilla and spices, and it tastes like it smells. If you love pumpkin pie, PumpKing is the brew for you.
Both are readily available in this area, so all you NJ-ers have to do is make the 6 hour drive north
Wolfman-K´s last blog .."Dogfish Punkin BreadPreheat oven to 350 degrees.In a large bowl, combine: 12 oz bottle of…"