Coronado Brewing 'Punk'in Drublic' Imperial Pumpkin Ale. 8% abv. 35 IBU. Orange-honey color. Finger of beige small-bead head. Good retention, nice lace. Nose of caramel, pumpkin, slight cinnamon. Strong honey aroma emerges as the temp rises.

Front taste of honey, pumpkin, nutmeg, sweet tangy citrus notes, brown sugar underneath. Aftertaste is where the bright spices shine, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ending in a earthy sweet honey finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, thick, sticky, lingering alcohol trail.

This is an excellent pumpkin ale that sets itself apart by emphasizing sweet honey flavor with a bright bouquet of fall spices. Pumpkin beers usually aim for a flavor of pumpkin pie. The flavor in this beer is more of a sweet malty ale that happens to have a ribbon of vegetal pumpkin, held in place by brown sugar and citrus peel. A very enjoyable big autumn ale. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Here in the land of eternal sunshine, it can be difficult to differentiate between seasons. Palm tree fronds don’t change color and fall to the sand, though the mercury does drop a few degrees, it’s still as paradisiacal as Southern California lore would have you believe. So, from now on, count on this imperial pumpkin ale heralding in the fall season. Brewed with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and a heaping helping of would be jack-o-lanterns, Punk’In Drublic delivers autumn’s trademark flavors along with a hint of West Coast character, whether enjoyed in a pumpkin patch or on the beach."

[source: coronadobrewing.com]

Red Branch Brewing Honey Stout. 7.2% abv. Dark brown color with a finger of beige head that recedes to a thick lasting collar. Excellent retention and lace. Aroma of honey, raisins, plum. Front taste of honey, dark fruit, roasted malt. Aftertaste of bitter fruit, earthy, mildly sweet. Medium body, a tad thin for a stout but the honey taste and feel help make up for it. Mouthfeel is warm, herbal, slightly mediciney, creamy.

This is a great beer, a little thin for a stout but definitely worth seeking out. It's very easy drinking, more than you'd expect, and its flavors of honey and dark fruits go well with the backbone of roasted malt. Another fine brew from Red Branch Brewing, the same talented folks from Rabbit's Foot Meadery. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Our stout is styled after both a traditional dry stout and an Imperial Russian Stout. We have taken the liberty to add a generous amount of honey during fermentation to create another of our unique 'Braggot' style ales. Reminiscent of the 'Rosie the Riveter' posters common in America during World War II, we just put a little spin on it."

Riley's Brewing 'Sancha' Honey Blonde Ale. 5.5% abv. 15 IBU. Pale yellow-gold color. Finger of white bubbly head. Good retention and lacing. Nose is herbal, honey, faint cloves. Front taste is earthy, cloves, slight sweet. Aftertaste is where the honey shines through, notes of biscuit, herbal hops. Light body. Mouthfeel is thin, cool, faint carb.

This is a solid beer from a reliable local brewery. It's light and refreshing, very drinkable, with just enough notes of sweetness and spice to place it above most blondes. It lies confidently between the easy-going lawnmower beers and the bigger, bolder brews out there. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"A light bodied ale. A smooth refreshing blonde, flavored with real California honey to enhance your drinking pleasure."

Mike Hess Brewing 'Jucundus' Orange Honey Wheat. 6% abv. 24 IBU. Pale yellow in color. One finger of white head that slowly recedes to a sustaining collar. Good retention and lacing. Nose of honey, crackers, floral, faint citrus background. Front taste of honey, sweet light malt, some bitter hop notes. Aftertaste of honey, lingering citrus peel, orange. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is bright, bubbly, tangy.

This is an excellent honey beer, with the honey very present from the aroma on down, and the citrus flavors shining through in the aftertaste. It's easy-drinking without being watery, and approachable without lacking in flavor. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Conjure up a warm, sunny day with this crisp, light bodied American wheat beer, brewed with one kg per barrel if 100% U.S.A. orange blossom honey and California orange peel. This refreshing ale brewed with spices has a smooth, citrusy finish - a delightful session-worthy beer."