Heavy Seas The Greater Pumpkin

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 7

Pours cloudy amber with minimal head. No lacing, no huge surprise given the strength. Smells bourbony, pumpkiny, festive. Rich malts form a great base flavor that is complemented by pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, wood. The whiskey character cannot be mistaken, yet it manages not to overpower. The pumpkin adds both earth and fruit elements with just the right amount of sweetness. I appreciate the use of real pumpkin, as it contributes as much to the body of the beer as it does the flavor. A perfect medium body, lightly carbonated, warming. Easily the best pumpkin beer I have tried. Huge thanks to Foamdome for this great seasonal sampler!

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

Malty aroma has firm notes of pumpkin and cinnamon and a bourbon overtone that comes from the barrels in which it was aged. It pours a slightly hazy dark orange amber with a pale orange-tan head that does not stick around for long and leaves minimal lacing. Flavor has a strong bourbon note that dominates the flavor but does not overwhelm it, allowing the malt, pumpkin and cinnamon notes along with the whisper of caramel to have their say. Thick, smooth texture is fairly tingly and has a strong nip thanks to the bourbon. A perfect beer to begin October!

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

A very mild and unobtrusive bourbon impact, but the barrel aging surely rounded out a much smoother and rich mouth feel while adding a chewy depth to the already firm pumpkin flavor. I was skeptical, but was quickly put at ease at the quality offered.