PUMPKIN BEER FACEOFF 2010

So pumpkin beer season is upon us and although I’m not the biggest pumpkin beer fan I can’t resist having something I’ve never had before, so I picked up these three for 2010. I drank them all on the same night, having the Great Lakes first, St. Ambroise second and the Pumking last. However I’m going to review these in order of preference instead of schedule as it just seems fitting.

ST. AMBROISE CITROUILLE

NOTES: Pours to a clear dark orange with a thin white cap that skimmed the surface for the most part. Definite pumpkin smell, with a very nice caramel malt as well. Taste was pumpkin, nutmeg and ginger up front with the sweet caramel malts on the back end. Medium body and not too carbonated.

GREAT LAKES PUMPKIN ALE

NOTES: Poured clear light orange with no head whatsoever. Allspice and pumpkin on the nose. Huge amounts of allspice in the mouth. A bit of pumpkin in there too, I guess.

SOUTHERN TIER PUMKING

NOTES: Imagine if you will, drinking a shitload of high alcohol beer on an empty stomach. Then imagine that after doing so, you eat an entire pumpkin. I’m gonna guess you will puke your brains out, right? Ok, now strain this puke and bottle it and there you have Pumking. By far the worst beer I’ve ever had, ever.