Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin Ale by Thomas Creek Brewery

I am trying a brew from a brewery I have never tried before, tonight. This Brewery I am trying tonight is called Thomas Creek Brewery. They are located in Greenville, South Carolina. Here is a little about them, "Since the brewery’s inception in 1998, we have been winning the hearts and taste buds of beer enthusiasts all across the southeast and beyond. Our brewery is open to the public for tours, pints, growler & 6-pack purchases, events, and home brew supplies. The homebrew shop offers everything from equipment kits to ingredients including malted and flaked grains, grain milling, hop pellet varieties, liquid & dry yeast, bottles, caps, chemicals, draft equipment, fittings, and more". The beer I am trying tonight from Thomas Creek is, Pumpkin Ale. Pumpkin Ale has an alcohol by volume or ABV of 7.3% and an IBU or bitterness of 26.4. Time to figure what pumpkin side this brew is on: TOO SWEET/TOO SPICE or just right. 

Appearance of Pumpkin Ale 

Appearance of the Pumpkin Ale is one that looks like an amber ale. The color is a copper color or a deep brownish orange hue. Giving me the thought that this might be a good pumpkin brew. The aroma is intriguing as well. I pick up both on the spices and the pumpkin notes in the brew. The Pumpkin note is stronger and more pronounced than the spice note. The spices I am picking up are cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. I feel like baking when I have this beer, because it reminds me of baking a pumpkin pie.The foam is thin and has a brownish orange tint to the head of the brew. So far, this is like most of the Pumpkin Ale's that are out there and now time for the taste to separate is brew from the others or to fall in line with everyone else. 

Taste of Pumpkin Brews is where I think most of them separate themselves from each other. Most have similar aromas and appearances. The taste of this brew is delicious and something I would order many of. The beer is not too heavy, which is surprising because of the 7.3% ABV. Taking the second sip, I notice more of the flavor profiles in the brew. The spice note hits you as you finish you sip and swallow you sip. The pumpkin note hits you in the beginning and blends well with the spice finish, Overall I think the way Thomas Creek Brewery focused on this brew and used specific hops and malts to make this flavor, was perfectly together. This pumpkin ale has a medium body and a medium mouthfeel that gives the pumpkin fan a great brew. 

Thomas Creek Pumpkin Ale 

Check out this seasonal brew from Thomas Creek Brewery, it is available from September to October. To me this is a good pumpkin brew, but not the best I have had. This brew is in the top ten of my pumpkin ales. I think that the sweetness of the pumpkin could be too much for some, but I enjoy it and think that the spice notes pair well with the sweetness. If you are looking for a pumpkin ale this is a brew you check out and try for yourself. 

Check out Thomas Creek Website and Twitter:

 http://thomascreekbeer.com/

Tweet @ThomasCreekBeer