Fall is in full swing now – so bring the pumpkins out! Or as we have here Spiced Pumpkin Porter.
This was a bottle share courtesy of my brother-in-law. It also makes the second DC Brau bottle i have seen in the state, both being porters oddly enough. Fermentation Without Representation was brewed on: October 10, 2011, Packaged on October 25, 2011, giving this one basically 2 years of age on it.
Epic notes that 200 lbs of pumpkins were used per batch. Pouring a nearly pitch black with a tan light head, you can smell the spices (I picked up on cinnamon and nutmeg) from across the room. Taste wise it was more spiced Porter than anything. A smooth dry finish, very well-balanced, and gives you a nice coffee / coco meets some holiday spices.
Neither of us could pick up on the pumpkin though, maybe the two years of aging mellowed out the pumpkin aspects?
Mouth feel again went to a heavy porter creaminess with a soft carbonation, finishing by pulling up the spice components.
Maybe not a great example of a “pumpkin” beer, but as a spiced up Porter? Now that is a different story. There are a few smoked Porters, so why not a spiced one?
As a fall time beer it was quite good, and I could see it serving as a pumpkin beer for people who hate pumpkin beers. I would have it again as it was extremely enjoyable and would be great as the weather continues to get cooler and the days get shorter.
