Southern Tier Brewing Company- Pumking Ale: Can this celtic crossover convince me about caring for pumpkin carved flavors?

I have always absolutely hated pumpkin beers. The last six pack I actually dumped out was a few years back when I bought a sixer that I thought was an Oktoberfest that turned out to be a pumpkin ale. I will openly make fun of anyone who enjoys these fruity, spicy, disgusting affronts to beers. I was a little shocked when I received not one, but two phone calls from friends telling me that I HAD to try Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Pumking Ale.

Pumking pours almost neon orange, like a freshly carved and lit jack-o-lantern. The carbonation is very minimal along with the foam. The scent is exactly what I expected, an overwhelming punch of pumpkin, but thankfully not much nasty spiciness. If you blindfolded someone, they would swear that that you were waving a pumpkin pie under their nose. I am trying to maintain my optimism and keep my brain open to new experiences, fingers crossed.

I most say I have been humbled. Pumking is the first pumpkin ale I have ever had that just gets it all right. The pumpkin flavor is not the centerpiece here, which is very refreshing. What Southern Tier has done is taken a kickass and very strong ale and highlighted it with a subtle hint of pumpkin. This ale is malty, with a killer infusion of tangy hops, alcohol hints and a sweet and biscuity pumpkin finish. Pumking is a game changer for anyone who has written off pumpkin beers. Make sure you try this one once in your life. Southern Tier may have made the perfect Thanksgiving brew.

ABV: 9.0%

Consumed: Pint Glass

Verdict: Buy a Twelve Pack

Southern Tier Brewing Company- Pumking: The Pumpkin King

We are currently in my favorite season, Fall and only a couple of weeks away from my favorite holiday.  I love the fact that the air is cool and crisp, it starts to get dark early and the leaves change color to provide a beautiful landscape of colors all around.  This change is season also effects a change in the Craft Beer world as breweries color the beer landscape with fall seasonal consisting of pumpkin beers and Oktoberfest or Marzens depending on what you call them.  This fall fanatic had never been a huge fan of food or concoctions consisting of pumpkin or pumpkin flavors with the exception of my late grandmother Rough’s pumpkin pie, which was amazingly good.  Now based on the recommendation of a couple of fellow Craft Beer junkies and Master Steve, I decided to pick myself up a bottle of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Pumking.  I figure that I would pick a selection from a brewery that I absolutely love and try a brew that I would otherwise not have tried as Southern Tier brews some great beers.  So here I go, Pumking is ready.

Southern Tier Brewing Company classifies this brew as an Imperial Pumpkin Ale and their website describes Pumking as, “Pumking is an ode to Púca, a creature of Celtic folklore, who is both feared and respected by those who believe in it. Púca is said to waylay travelers throughout the night, tossing them on its back, and providing them the ride of their lives, from which they return forever changed! Brewed in the spirit of All Hallows Eve, a time of year when spirits can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent. Pour Pumking into a goblet and allow its alluring spirit to overflow. As spicy aromas present themselves, let its deep copper color entrance you as your journey into this mystical brew has just begun. As the first drops touch your tongue a magical spell will bewitch your taste buds making it difficult to escape. This beer is brewed with pagan spirit yet should be enjoyed responsibly.”

Pumking pours a dark golden with a slight orange hue with a small ¼” khaki head.  The aroma is an in your face pumpkin muffin/banana bread smell with accents of cinnamon, spice and faint vanilla.

This is one extremely interesting brew.  So much so that I am not sure where to start.  The flavor is unlike anything I have ever had and I mean that in a good way.  It has a little thicker mouth feel that I would have expected but the carbonation is right on.  This is a masterfully crafted brew; the flavor is a combination of vanilla, spices, cinnamon and just the right amount of pumpkin that provides a perfect liquid representation of the season.  Wow, this is good.  The Pumpkin Pimps at Southern Tier Brewing Company have nailed this on one the head as I have to say that this is now one of my all time favorite fall seasonal.  Now, if I could only get my neighbors to hand Pumking out to the adults on Halloween I’d be set.

ABV: 8.8%

Consumed: Dogfish Head Signature Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case