Every Autumn I feel like I am paying my own little homage to Charles Schultz when I crack open the first of what is usually a series of a half-dozen or so fall seasonals from various craft brewers around the country. This time of year it is the Pumpkin Ale. Some of the “heavys” in this genre are Elysian’s “Night Owl”, DogFish Head’s “Punkin'” and Buffalo Bills Pumpkin Ale.
Today I am trying a new one from a (somewhat) local brewer. Beer Valley Brewing is located in Ontario, OR, about 40 miles from me here in Boise and since they opened a few years ago have done pretty well, going outside of the typical 6 or 7 basic safe beers that lots of brewers stick to. Their “Leafer Madness” double IPA and the “Black Flag” Imperial Stout are decent.
This is the Jackalope Imperial Pumpkin Porter. At first glance it is clearly an Imperial Porter, big very dark pour and a dense creamy mocha colored head. Very attractive. Big roasted sweet campfire aromas with a little licorice and bakers chocolate. A touch of seasonal spice but it you hadn’t told me this was a pumpkin ale I might have missed it so far. It tastes also like an Imperial Porter. A good one. Big full bold roasted flavors with plenty of that tang that is a bit astringent and tart. This character is what I think is one of the main differences that distinguish the imperials, Porter and Stout. The very modest pumpkin flavors here are pushed back and are more like roasted pumpkin seeds and definitely far from its style brethren that flaunt and showcase the good gourd. this is NOT a pumpkin pie in a glass. It is an Imperial Porter with a dash of Pumpkin thrown in.
It is said that Winston Churchill once said that the perfect martini was pouring a glass of gin and “LOOKING” at a bottle of vermouth. This is a Porter first and looking across at a can of pumpkin pie filling would give me about the same amount of flavor.
Still, a fine beer and I glad to see something seasonal, unique, local and this good on tap at my favorite beer place, though I do feel a little like Clara Peller,when I sip it.
