Mendocino Brewing Seasonal Pumpkin Ale. 5% abv. 30 IBU. Orange-copper color. Thin white bubbly head. Good retention, nice lace. Nose of malt, pumpkin, spice, faint ginger. Front taste of caramel, pumpkin, nutmeg. Aftertaste of cloves, nutmeg, boiled greens. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is slightly thick, faintly astringent.
Among the many other pumpkin beers out there, this brew is enjoyable, with a prominent yet balanced pumpkin pie spice taste that many others either overkill or lack altogether. However, among beers in general, this is merely an decent brew, with some malty and spicy notes to savor. The promised complexity was just not there for me, nor were the cocoa nibs, the variety of spices, or the roasted grain. Recommended only if you like seasonal pumpkin beers.
From the brewery:
"Fall brings out the best in in nature. Almost overnight trees that looked acceptable in their majestic coats of green, now don the brazen hues of brass, gold and burnt crimsons. Thanksgiving is perhaps the best of holidays, for it is a time for sharing and enriching our lives. To honor Fall we offer our deep mahogany hued Pumpkin Ale, bursting with a robust roasted malt flavor. To this m̩lange we add copious amounts of pumpkin and embellish that further with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. This would have been ideal, but perfection is our preference and so we diligently add cocoa nibs as the beer conditions and intensifies the depth of flavor. This melds magnificently with the pumpkin and spice. And as a fitting finale we gently introduce hops to compliment this complex potion and the result is a finish that is clean and brilliant. At 5% alc./vol., this is a Pumpkin perfect session ale РPerfect for Fall and the approaching holiday season."
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