Strand Brewing 'Harvest Ball' Orange Wheat Witbier. 4.8% abv. Pale hazy straw color. Bubbly white head. Good retention, good lace. Nose of faint citrus peel, floral.  Front taste of mild grapefruit, orange, distant bitter floral hops. Aftertaste of orange rind, wheat bread, dry finish. Light body. Mouthfeel is thin, resiny, tangy, clean on the finish.

This is a good light brew, a subtle wheat beer with citrus flavors that are mild yet always present. It's a nuanced summer beer in a category that is known for lighter fare to begin with. Drinkable and subdued are words that come to mind. If you usually want robust flavors that grab your attention, look elsewhere. If you like your flavors light with a body to match, this is your beer. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Harvest Ball - Beyond the northern reaches of Los Angeles County lies the quaint ranching community of Fillmore, where growers have been quietly raising oranges for generations. Each year, as the summer falls into autumn, the Slo-Lee Ranch celebrates the coming harvest with a sacred gala. Family and friends gather, illuminating the night with food, drink, and laughter."
[source: bottle]

Samuel Adams 'Harvest Pumpkin' Ale. 5.7% abv. 14 IBU. Ruby color with thick cream-colored head. Good retention, nice lacing. Aromatic nose of pumpkin, cloves, nutmeg. Front taste of light roasted malt, caramel, cloves, ginger on the back. Aftertaste is where the pumpkin flavor pops, along with nutmeg and distant cinnamon. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, creamy, smooth.

This is an excellent pumpkin beer, another solid seasonal brew from Samuel Adams. The pumpkin taste is present throughout, from nose to final sip. The aroma promises a rich veggie-pumpkin taste with a tall mix of spices and the taste delivers, something that many aromatic beers do not follow through on. Both the aroma and taste improve as the temp drops, which is always a delight.

This is not the absolute best pumpkin beer (that honor goes to Dogfish Head), but it is toward the top end, especially considering that most pumpkin beers fail at every level. Highly recommended, particularly within season.

From the brewery:

"Real pumpkin & warming spices like ginger, cinnamon & nutmeg give this brew a smooth, hearty, and inviting character perfect for the crisper days of fall."
[source: samueladams.com]

"Early New England colonists were nothing if not resourceful. Lacking traditional malts, they added pumpkin to their brews, and the first pumpkin ales were born. Our adaptation uses a blend of caramel and roasted malts along with real pumpkin to create a rich depth of flavor and unmistakable characters. Cheers!"
[source: bottle]

Samuel Adams Harvest Saison. 6% abv. 25 IBU. Hazy honey color. Thick bubbly white head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of light fruit, citrus, bread. Front taste of mild grapefruit, fruity hops, background pine. Aftertaste of bitter hops, citrus rind, herbal. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is carby, light.

This is a good saison, with a touch more hop bite and a rounder citrus flavor than many others in its category. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"With every autumn comes the hope of a bountiful harvest and this distinctive take on a traditional saison delivers with a crop of barley, oats, rye, and wheat, a malty aroma and golden amber hue.  The crisp taste of this Belgian style brew is a perfect match for a brisk fall day."