Sean Lightholder’s Pumpkin Ales: Guest Post No. 10

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Howe Sound Brewing’s Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale is the ninth 2014 pumpkin beer we’ve tried.
It also has the coolest bottle cap. Seriously; I carefully popped it off and am now using it as a fridge magnet.
I’m unfamiliar with Howe Sound’s beers, but if this is any example, their brewer knows what he’s doing. Where Shipyard’s Smashed Pumpkin tasted every inch of its 9%, Pumpkineater tastes like it’s much less than its 8% ABV. Also in contrast to some other beer we’ve tried *cough* Saranac Our Pumpkin *cough* *cough* there is practically an encyclopedia of information about this beer in web 2.0 infographics on the label (including
a single, large BREWED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA medallion graphic taking up just as much room as 4 other, smaller, info graphics). Disappointingly, there are no aromatics to speak of pouring this into the glass, but it sits comfortably on the tongue. Try as I might, I could not discern much in the way of pumpkin or spice to speak of; I wish there was some nod toward squash or spice to really drive home the seasonal angle here.

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To sum up: this is well­brewed, but nondescript. With its colorful infographic label an imposing, swing­topped bottle, this Imperial Ale reminds me of some other Candians I’ve met: intimidating at first glance, but actually just friendly and approachable once you get to know them. This would be a good beer to drink at (Candian) Thanksgiving dinner.

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0 Responses to Sean Lightholder’s Pumpkin Ales: Guest Post No. 10

  1. cjcamach27 says:

    That top picture is everything!

  2. Seán says:

    it’s a topper! snrk snrk snrk

  3. If you get the chance, cellar this for a year. I never drink it fresh, always a year later, it’s near perfect at that point.

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