Streamlined aluminum-canned autumn seasonal needs deeper pumpkin-spiced sentiment. Wayward gingerbread, cinnamon and nutmeg spicing falls off as bland zucchini-yam conflux beats down initial pumpkin pie crusting. Raw pumpkin earthniess shadows zesty lemon splurge, contrasting sweeter pumpkin-sugared alacrity.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, jutting vanilla-creamed pumpkin puree sweetness overrides stingy vegetal gourd earthiness and resinous hop foliage. Brown-sugared cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and clove spicing provides expected seasonality above honeyed Graham cracker backbone, but fails at efficiently amplifying meaty pumpkin frontage.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, casual dry-spiced medium body with laidback pumpkin pie entry gains sharp hop bite as muddled cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice seasoning splashes lively ginger herbage. A splash of spiced rum adds boozy tinge to phenol backdrop. In the bottle, 2014 version plied cinnamon-toasted pumpkin pie sweetness to light gingerbread, nutmeg and allspice illusions. On tap at Mac Murphy’s, more distinct 2016 version brought sparkly sugar spicing to pumpkin-pureed nutmeg-allspice-cinnamon seasoning, recessive pulpy pumpkin-seeded gourd vegetalia and subtle red cherry snips.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, flagship English strong ale given dryer fall-styled pumpkin spicing to combat sugary crystal malt sweetness. Brown-sugared dried fruiting and teasing cinnamon-clove-allspice seasoning contrast earthen gourd dryness. Lemony pumpkin puree finish feels too casual, but never goes adrift.
On tap at Lazy Boy Saloon, highly distinguished full-bodied porter plies rich mocha penetration to less prominent pumpkin pie serenity. Dry cocoa-powdered black chocolate roast seeps into heightened cinnamon-nutmeg-gingerbread spicing – never overshadowing soft-watered pumpkin puree presence and gentle maca rooted nuttiness. Ample caraway-seeded pumpernickel spine deepens autumnal spiced pumpkin regalia.
On tap at Lazy Boy Saloon, intriguingly decadent pumpkin-spiced mocha dessert serenades dark-roasted black coffee bittering and fudgy black chocolate creaminess with ample pumpkin spicing. Rich molasses-sapped cacao nibs influence never ransacks persistent pumpkin pie-sugared cinnamon, nutmeg and gingerbread seasoning. Ancillary caramel cappuccino, cola nut, pecan, vanilla and anise illusions add further dimension. On tap at Ambulance Brew House, autumn 2014 version loaded dark-roasted mocha malts way above the cinnamon-toasted pumpkin pie sugaring and ashen hop-charred bittering. Fudged brownie, cocoa nibs, anise and gingerbread undertones add depth (and strangely, minor plastique enameling emerges).
On tap at Lazy Boy Saloon, outrageously hybridized pumpkin-spiced medium body in the guise of a boozy Belgian pale ale melts like butter in your mouth. Black-peppered Belgian yeast spicing inundates honeyed banana daiquiri rum spicing above earthen gourd dewiness and pale-malted barley crisping. Ethereal pastry-caked pumpkin pie niche, gentle allspice-ginger-nutmeg-cardamom-coriander seasoning and sweet vanilla creaming register below resilient alcohol whir.
Crisply clean autumnal medium body places vegetal squash, butternut and fennel influences above subtle hop-spiced lemon pitted bittering and dry yellow wood shavings. Mild cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger seasoning coats its metallic edge. Dry earthen nature recalls English India Pale Ale and Extra Special Bitter stylings.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, expansive autumnal medium body spreads syrupy maple sugaring across dewy fresh-watered mineral graining and red-orange-yellow fruiting. Leafy resinous hops underscore ripe apple, tangerine, grapefruit, peach and navel orange illusions to fruited tea finish, leaving rustic fall foliage in its wake.
On tap at Macaroni Grill, streamlined 2013 version layered sharply carbolic spice hop bite above pumpkin pie-sweetened fig-date-cherry conflux and dried orange nuance. Mild cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger seasoning lathers light caramel malting.
Elegantly contoured moderate-bodied Belgian cuvee delivers marvelous French-wined grape esters to creamy vanilla-sweetened banana daiquiri whir and wildflower-honeyed rum spicing. Buttery Chardonnay warmth lingers beside crystalline lemon-curried saffron and kaffir lime riffs. French Pyronees espelette peppers softly embitter herbal hop slot.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, brazen full body blasts day-old coffee brashness into oats-flaked charred hop bittering. Black chocolate roast confirms abundant mocha theme and ashen nuttiness details the charcoal-crisped backend with raspy cola nut, hazelnut and walnut illusions.
