Southern Tier's Pumpking was the first imperial pumpkin ale to hit the Chicago market a few years ago and it quickly redefined what the style could be. The folks who made this monstrosity say:
"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 whichthey 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 it’s 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.
7.9% abv."
Well, here's to Puca.
Appearance: Pours a clear copper with an off-white head of an inch that recedes leaving no cap and a decent amount of lacing. An interesting, thin patch of swirled, tightly packed, bizarrely small bubbles is left in the center—I’ve never come across something like this. 8.5
Body: Medium, slightly oily, with sustaining carbonation. 8.4
Nose: Freshly baked pumpkin, cinnamon, crushed graham crackers, pie crust, vanilla wafers, cool whip…this is liquid pumpkin pie. No joke. 9.5
Taste: Big, sweeping sweetness, nutmeg/spice and brown sugar with a caramel malt boom echoed by buttered almond. The nose translates exceptionally with balancing hop bitterness carrying the flavor to the finish. 8.3
Overall: 8.7/10
Quite a nose!
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