Grand River Highballer Pumpkin Ale / Magnotta Brewing Highballer Pumpkin Ale

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Pours a very thin foamy head and has more of a pale golden appearance with orange hues as opposed to most pumpkin ales. Pretty weak aromas, not much in the way of pumpkins. Seems more like squash if you ask me. Extremely watered down pumpkin spice flavours with some notes of cinnamon. Mostly flavours of barley malts, oats and grains. Very mild spices. I find this one very disappointing, very watery and has a weird kinda flavour in the finish. Might have something to do with having the Great Lakes pumpkin ale beforehand (which is a helluva lot better)

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Pours a clean amber colour with a frothy warm top, average retention and nice thick lacing. Nutmeg nose with hints of cinnamon. Unfortunately, the spices are pretty mild in the taste, and only the pumpkin puree (without spices) come out. Was bottles in September, so not the freshest (does not keep well, long) as a few months after, feel the sour going-bad notes. Medium-bodied with a little creaminess. Very light caramel malt appear in the aftertaste, with notes of grain. Wish I could try this fresh. Gets a little hazy near the last pour. Average pumpkin ale.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Poured a lovely amber colour, with a creamy, foamy head. Mellow taste with a hint of pumpkin pie spice. Overall a nice session beer (which surprised me). Very nice!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

500ml bottle
5.2% ABV
Bottled On: September 30, 2011
Queen's Quay LCBO Outlet (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
October 6, 2011
So, according to the bottle, this beer was 5 days old when I bought it, and 6 days old when I drank it.....FRESH! The beer poured a translucent golden orange with a thin off-white head. Pumpkin and spices dominated the aroma with not much else. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium-high carbonation. The flavour is malt, grains, and pumpkin. Not as pumpkin-pie-y as some American offerings, but a good beer nonetheless.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Bottle: poured a clear deep copper color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and not much lacing. Aroma of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg are well balance. Taste is also a well balanced mix between some ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg with not much pumpkin per say abut a nice and easily drinkable caramel malt backbone. Body is about average with good carbonation. Very well done with great balance and easily drinkable.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Fresh sample from the brewery: A shimmering dark amber-gold in color with a decent 2 finger white cap Aroma is distinct and interesting...you get spice (cinnamin/nutmeg) over some fruity esters ( peach-strawberry) and a nice whiff of crystal malt that carries the musty botanical tones of pumpkin. Pumpkin is less defined in the flavor which is a very tasteful blend of spices and savory hops, bready-sweet malts with light fruit/pumpkin tones...all in a extraordinary balance where none over power the other. Finishes slightly bitter but pleasant. The 5.2% ABV makes this a satisfying and more substantial ale. A very decent ale and a good attempt for this brewer’s first specialty offering. My favorite ale from GRB so far.