Piotrek z Bagien - Pumpkin Ale Halloween 2016

PIOTREK Z BAGIEN

Pumpkin Ale Halloween 2016

Jan Olbracht Brewery, Poland

To prolong the spooky atmosphere of Halloween, I was waiting a bit longer with that describing that one. I was really looking forward to get finally get the sweet pumpkin ale I was hoping for. Well, again, I should have been reading the label first (OK, I don’t do it on purpose, I seriously do not like to be influenced by the components before trying). Last year edition was quite decent pumpkin ale, so I have expected this year to follow.

Well, correct me if I am wrong, but last year was made without the smoked chili, wasn’t it? 

We all know that pumpkin beer smells of the spices that are added. Pumpkin by itself is rather neutral, and could be completely omitted in the brewing process (I bet nobody would even notice). Therefore it is clear that by adding smoked chili, we will get smoked beer. It is not that heavy like some other beers of this type, but smoke is dominating aroma and one of the most intensive flavors. Some leftovers of ginger and maybe cardamom. Some of the smoke is compensated by a medium body of the beer and very decent hops aroma. But not enough for my taste. After a second/third sip I have started to detect chili part of the beer (and yes, this was a real chili, it burns twice). Overall – may be interesting to try, but don’t feel forced to do so.

Cukierek albo Psikus - Pumpkin ALe

CUKIEREK ALBO PSIKUS

PUMPKIN ALE

Browar Na Jurze

Look what I have found first Pumpkin Ale popped up in the garden. Obvious sign that the Autumn is here for good (and bad).

It may be the first pumpkin ale on the blog, therefore I should start with a few words of introduction. Pumpkin ales (ales not ale – because in fact there are various beers made with an addition of pumpkin) are typically American beer style brewed in the Autumn. Very often (or in most cases) combined with a lot of natural spices or artificial flavors, they are rather sweet and aromatic.

Yesterday, I was really in the mood for a sweet taste, therefore “Cukierek albo Psikus” (Trick or Treat) was my first choice. After opening I was seriously struggling to get a strong spice and pumpkin aroma out of this one. No way. Very moderate and balanced. Not really overwhelming. The same is with the taste, light cardamom, some ginger, maybe nutmeg. All very well balanced and drinkable. There are some hoppy notes, buy=t they are rather low and bitterness is almost not there. On top really nice amber-orange color and reasonable carbonation. Being used to strongly aromatic American Pumpkin ales - If I wouldn’t know that it’s a pumpkin ale, I might have a problem to recognize one. Still after giving it a second and third thought (and sip) I realized that I really like this interpretation of the style. It is much more beer and much less soft drink. Good job.