Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Company
Beer: Pumkinhead Ale
Style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Character: Wheat ale with hints of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg
Metal Connection: MISFITS – Pumpkin Head
The first thing that brought me to this beer was the label. I love the artwork of the pumpkin headed horseman. The colors really stood out to me, so I was instantly drawn to this beer. I am glad I found this beer when I visited my favorite spot in the Dallas area, Lone Star Beverages. After coming back home from my trip there, I waited a few weeks to finally drink my first bottle only to find out that this beer finally made it’s way to the shelves in San Antonio.
I used my Firestone Walker Brewing Co. pint glass for this one. Pumpkinhead poured a dark golden color, which was nice and clear, with visible carbonation bubbles rising. This beer looked excellent once the chill haze disappeared from the glass. There was about a good finger width crown of white foamy head with good retention, leaving soapy lacing down the glass.
My nose was met with great delight with seasonal spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and the usual aromas found in a pumpkin ale. This was more like a pumpkin pie rather than just pumpkin. I did get some bready, biscuit notes behind the upfront, but moderate spices. I did not pick up any boozy aroma.
The taste of this beer followed the nose perfectly. The spices were all present, but moderate, as none of them were over powering, nor strong. So, for me, this was a nice treat, as I was able to enjoy this beer a bit more than usual pumpkin beers. As with the aroma, the first hit of flavor comes from the spices usually found on pumpkin pie, then a nice end note of bready biscuit, giving this beer a good balance. No alcohol present in the taste either. There is a nice lingering aftertaste of spices.
The body was thin-medium, with a creamy mouthfeel, and a good carbonation bite. This beer was an easy drinker. The mouthfeel complimented the moderate spice notes.
Overall, I will say that I really liked this beer. As this beer might be thin, and not so heavy in the aroma or flavor areas, it does act as a good gateway, or session pumpkin ale. I can find myself drinking this one again and again, and recommending it to those new to craft beer or pumpkin ales. According to the Shipyard Brewing website, this beer is said to beer a Wheat Ale with added pumpkin and spices, which is what most likely gives this beer it’s golden color, and lighter aromas, and flavors.
Metal Connection: This one was easy for me. Here is a song I usually hear on a daily basis at my work. Here is the song “Pumpkin Head” by the legendary band, Misfits. This song appeared on the Famous Monsters full length album, which had the band’s second main vocalist, Michale Graves. Personally speaking here, this is my favorite Misfits album. This album has a lot of their old Punk Rock style, but there was a Metal overtone to this album which really worked for me. Every single song on this album is memorable and I always find myself singing these damned songs even when I’m not listening to this album. Please enjoy some Pumpkinhead Ale while listening to Pumpkin Head by the Misfits, and fuck it, go ahead and watch Pumpkinhead, the movie to perfect this experience! Cheers!
I’m gonna show you where your life will end,
BeerMetalDude!
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