Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale
From Weyerbacher Brewing – Like a pyramid for a pharaoh, we set out to make a bold monumentfor The King of the Pumpkins! This 8.0% ABV pumpkin ale is the motherof all pumpkin ales. It is heartier, spicier, and more “caramelly” and”pumpkiny” than its faint brethren! We have added lots of pumpkin alongwith Cinnamon, Nutmeg and a touch of cardamom and clove giving thisbeer a spicy, full-bodied flavor. This truly is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Perfect finisher on a cool autumn night, or match it up with aslice of pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream. It is available August through November.
Weyerbacher Brewing – Imperial Pumpkin Ale – Purchased from Dawson’s liquors in Severna Park, MD. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a 12 oz. beer glass. 8.0% ABV.
Appearance: Clear topaz with a generous, taupe head.
Aroma: More aroma of pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg & cloves) than any pumpkin beer I’ve ever had (and more than many pumpkin pies, too). Hard to distinguish any “beer-like” aromas at all through all that spice.
Taste: All of the aforementioned spices are prevalent with a finish that reminds me of a Kolsch.
Mouthfeel: Just creamy enough to complement the illusion that you’re consuming pumpkin pie without going overboard. The carbonation is represented by the tiniest of bubbles.
Overall: If you’re looking for a pumpkin ale to celebrate fall, make it this one. Hands-down better than any pumpkin beer I’ve ever had before.
September 1, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
Anywhere to get ahold of this beer near Pittsburgh?
September 8, 2010 @ 9:47 pm
I make beer soap and we were just in Maine where we had Shipyard Pumpkin Ale which was SOOOO good. Made in Lincolville but we got it at the Portland Airport…..so, I am looking here in MD for a good Pumpkin Ale to make my Octoberfest beer soap. Thanks for the recommendation!!!
September 26, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
I find pumpkin beers a hit or miss. I found I disliked Seadog Pumpkin Ale, not crazy about Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, but just had a bottle of Pumking beer of Southern Tier Brewing Company. That had the fullest flavor of all of the pumpkin beers I’ve had. Spicy, had good pumpkin flavors and a full mouthfeel. Still looking for a liquor store in NH/northern MA that carries it since I got one bottle from CT and really would like to buy a few more bottles to enjoy. Weyerbacher is also very good. Any other pumpkin beers, I’ll have to see.
August 26, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Thanks for the follow-up comment.
I agree.
August 26, 2009 @ 9:09 am
“So which is king? The Weyerbacher or the Southern Tier?”
The Southern Tier. I reviewed the Weyerbacher a couple of weeks prior and had never had the Southern Tier. The Southern Tier gets the nod for me due to the hop flavors and the finish. The ST has more of a Pacific Northwest vibe as opposed to a European feel with the Wb. Also, the ST was able to incorporate the smell of pie crust, not just the spices in the filling.
August 26, 2009 @ 7:12 am
But just last week, we read on this site about Southern Tier’s “Pumpking” –
“Strap a rocket to its ass and shoot this straight to the top of my list of pumpkin beers.”
So which is king? The Weyerbacher or the Southern Tier?
IMO, Southern Tier’s pumpkin ale destroys Weyerbacher’s. Much more of a mouthfeel where Weyerbacher comes up short in that department, thanks to a much more thin feel.
August 25, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Always a little hesitant to try the Pumpkin ales – seem very hit or miss usually. Perhaps this one will get the nod this year, from your description, it sounds pretty good. (Can’t believe we’re talking Fall already!)