01 November 2007

Post Road Pumpkin Ale (NY)

Six-packs of this are readily available at the supermarket, but I decided to pick up a single at my beer retailer first. I'm glad I did too, because I wouldn't know what to do with the other five bottles.

This pours a clear orange-tinged amber with plenty of bubbly activity. The aroma is pretty light, with some nutmeg and cinnamon. The taste follows suit, with the pumpkin, spices and malt making a light presence. There are some hops involved, and it finishes dry. That's fine, but the beer just isn't rich enough for me. I have a problem with the body. It's a bit thin and way over-carbonated. It reaches the point where the fizz impinges on the flavor, as though the whole thing were cut with seltzer.

It's a bit unfair to compare this with Southern Tier's Pumpking. I thought that "pumpkin pie in a blender" brew might have been a bit over the top, but I'd greatly prefer it to Post Road's offering. Even if you prefer dryness to sweetness, I'm not sure if Post Road has enough flavor to cut through the fizz.

3 comments:

Lee said...

Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale is my favorite pumpkin beer, hands-down. The only one I don't consider a pure novelty.

Buttle said...

I still have to try that one. Post Road reminds me of other fruit beers (with pumpkin instead of blueberry, raspberry, etc.), which generally don't work for me.

Unknown said...

Brooklyn makes a decent summer ale. I've had that before, and their lager is drinkable... Never tried the pumpkin and I doubt I will now..