The Bruery 'Autumn Maple' Belgian-Style Brown Ale. 10% abv. 15 IBU. Hazy copper-brown color. Finger of foamy tan head. Fair retention and almost no lace. Head was completely gone in three minutes. Nose of bright spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, maple. The spice bouquet blooms with the rise in temp. Front taste is malty, nutty, caramel, orange zest, cloves, allspice on the back end. Aftertaste is pumpkin, strong nutmeg, wood notes, herbal hop sustain. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, astringent.

This is an excellent brown ale that feels like it could have been extraordinary. It tasted "young" as if racked from its fermenter a couple of weeks too soon. It tastes like a delicious wort rather than a finished brew. The lack of carbonation would support this notion.

Nevertheless, this beer was yummy indeed. The spice and pumpkin (yam) come across well, starting with a complex inviting aroma, ending with a tall hot aftertaste. I was looking forward to this beer for a long time and while I am not giving this a perfect review I was certainly not disappointed. Grab a bottle. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel (in other words, a lot of yams!), this autumn seasonal is a different take on the 'pumpkin' beer style. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, maple syrup, and fermentation with our traditional Belgian yeast strain, make this bold and spicy beer perfect for a cold autumn evening. We have also created bourbon barrel aged, 100% brettanomyces and soured versions of Autumn Maple."

[source: thebruery.com]

"We don't need pumpkin in our beer! Big, bold, spicy, and oh so yummy, our delicious Brown Ale is perfect for those cold autumn nights... Our spiced Brown Ale is a unique take on a Fall seasonal, brewed with delicious yams and seasonal spices. Best enjoyed fresh, but may pleasantly evolve over time if cellared properly."

[source: bottle]

All traces of head and lace were gone within minutes.

Samuel Adams 'Fat Jack' Double Pumpkin Ale. 8.5% abv. 25 IBU. Black in color. Finger of tan thick creamy head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin. Front taste of sweet dark malt, heavy pumpkin, cloves on the sustain. Aftertaste is pure pumpkin pie, nutmeg, cinnamon, nutmeg. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, sweet finish.

This is an outstanding beer. The aroma is spicy, sweet, promising plenty of pumpkin. The taste delivers with a ton of pumpkin and a dark warm spice bouquet. Most pumpkin beers are lacking, but this is one of the few big bold pumpkin beers that offers a rich, complex autumn beer. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Pleasantly plump and satisfied. This rich and luscious brew indulges in flavor with over 28 lbs. of pumpkin per barrel, for a full bodied sweetness and deep russet color.  Classic pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice ignite a warmth and spark that’s deepened by an undercurrent of roasty smoked malts.  The result is a delectable brew full of enveloping layers of flavor and spice."

[source: samueladams.com]

Samuel Adams OctoberFest. 5.3% abv. 16 IBU. Seasonal brew. Deep copper color. Finger of white foamy head that gradually falls to a thick collar. Good retention and lace. Nose of toffee, roasted malt. Front taste of sweet malt, caramel, biscuits, nutty. Aftertaste of warm brown sugar, dark fruit, nutty, distant herbal. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, smooth, creamy, coating the tongue.

This is an excellent beer, one of the better Oktoberfest brews to come out each fall season. The taste from beginning to end is high malt, sweet, rich, smooth, with a creamy finish. I love trying the many different Oktoberfest beers offered each year, but this one is a reliable standard. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"In 1810, the Oktoberfest tradition was born when Munich celebrated the Crown Prince’s wedding with a special beer and 16-day party. Our version of this classic style blends rich malts for a hearty, smooth flavor with notes of caramel creating a brew that’s perfect for the season, or whatever you’re celebrating. Cheers!"

[source: samueladams.com]

Sierra Nevada 'Flipside' Red IPA. 6.2% abv. 60 IBU. An alternative summer beer. Red-amber color with off-white head. Low retention. Nose of herbs and citrus peel. First taste is hops and bitter fruit, like grapefruit. Balanced hop aftertaste. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, small-bead carb.

This is a good beer that tries to strike a middle ground between different styles. It’s got the easy drinkability and citrus notes of a summer beer, but with the slightly malty back of an amber. It’s not as good as many IPAs, but better than most red ales. I could certainly have a couple of these in one sitting. That being said, it is far from the best that Sierra Nevada has to offer.

From the brewery:

"A hop-forward fix for the first days of fall. Just when it feels like the dog days will never end, suddenly, the switch is flipped, the air gets cooler and it’s clear that autumn is on the way. Featuring a ruby-red hue and abundant tropical fruit and citrus hop flavors, Flipside Red IPA is the perfect beer for the final flash of summer."