fatcat
19 Feb 2008, 2:11am
History
Location: Denver, Colorado USA<br>
Year Began: Unknown. Blue Moon began in 1995.<br>
Annual Production: N/A (“We produce Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale in limited amounts, in bottles only, and once it’s made, that’s what we have.”- Steve Medina of Blue Moon.<br>
Website: www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com
Finding history on this particular variety of beer was not easy, probably due to its limited production. It is made by the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Since I will be doing a Blue Moon Belgian White Ale review latter on, I will not go into Blue Moon’s history here.
pumpale2.jpg
The Beer
Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale(HMPA) has 5.6% ABV. HMPA is typically available in bottles from mid-September through December. Finding any other information has proved difficult, as even their website doesn’t state much more than the info found on the label of the beer.
The Look, the Smell and Taste
The Look Copper-orange. Slightly darker than the Samual Adams Boston Lager. Pouring the beer down the middle of the glass created a nice head. It looked like a great beer ;)
The Smell So I’ve poured the HMPA into the glass, and put my nose over the glass and breath in deeply…I smell no pumpkin! I smell cloves and a hint of nutmeg, along with the other normal beer aroma, but no pumpkin! Perhaps it's hidden in the taste?
The Taste I take a nice swig and still no pumpkin flavor! Did I get a bad batch? Time to take a closer look at the bottle. On the front label it states; “This amber-colored, naturally flavored ale is brewed only in autumn & combines the flavor of vine-ripened pumpkin & spices with traditional crystal malt.” So, where is my pumpkin‽ I take another taste; it has a very pronounced clove flavor and I can taste a hint of nutmeg... But no pumpkin. So I take a look at the back of the label, and find the answer: “With its clove, nutmeg and allspice flavors, this amber-colored ale is perfect for fall’s crisp, clear days. Serve this hearty brew with all your autumn meals.” NO PUMPKIN!
pumpale1.jpg
Summary
Besides the unhappiness I felt with the lack of pumpkin, HMPA is a very decent beer. Once I got over that, I enjoyed the beer very much. I have had several now, and it's up there for top choices amongst beers I have had over my life. As long as you are aware that you will not be getting any pumpkin in this ale, HMPA is a very fine choice for a cool autumn night!
I give Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale 2 1/2 out of 5 beer mugs. (You could’ve had 3 1/2 out of 5 beer mugs Blue Moon if you had just added the one thing I’ve said 100 times! Otherwise it is a good ale!)
Location: Denver, Colorado USA<br>
Year Began: Unknown. Blue Moon began in 1995.<br>
Annual Production: N/A (“We produce Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale in limited amounts, in bottles only, and once it’s made, that’s what we have.”- Steve Medina of Blue Moon.<br>
Website: www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com
Finding history on this particular variety of beer was not easy, probably due to its limited production. It is made by the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Since I will be doing a Blue Moon Belgian White Ale review latter on, I will not go into Blue Moon’s history here.
pumpale2.jpg
The Beer
Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale(HMPA) has 5.6% ABV. HMPA is typically available in bottles from mid-September through December. Finding any other information has proved difficult, as even their website doesn’t state much more than the info found on the label of the beer.
The Look, the Smell and Taste
The Look Copper-orange. Slightly darker than the Samual Adams Boston Lager. Pouring the beer down the middle of the glass created a nice head. It looked like a great beer ;)
The Smell So I’ve poured the HMPA into the glass, and put my nose over the glass and breath in deeply…I smell no pumpkin! I smell cloves and a hint of nutmeg, along with the other normal beer aroma, but no pumpkin! Perhaps it's hidden in the taste?
The Taste I take a nice swig and still no pumpkin flavor! Did I get a bad batch? Time to take a closer look at the bottle. On the front label it states; “This amber-colored, naturally flavored ale is brewed only in autumn & combines the flavor of vine-ripened pumpkin & spices with traditional crystal malt.” So, where is my pumpkin‽ I take another taste; it has a very pronounced clove flavor and I can taste a hint of nutmeg... But no pumpkin. So I take a look at the back of the label, and find the answer: “With its clove, nutmeg and allspice flavors, this amber-colored ale is perfect for fall’s crisp, clear days. Serve this hearty brew with all your autumn meals.” NO PUMPKIN!
pumpale1.jpg
Summary
Besides the unhappiness I felt with the lack of pumpkin, HMPA is a very decent beer. Once I got over that, I enjoyed the beer very much. I have had several now, and it's up there for top choices amongst beers I have had over my life. As long as you are aware that you will not be getting any pumpkin in this ale, HMPA is a very fine choice for a cool autumn night!
I give Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale 2 1/2 out of 5 beer mugs. (You could’ve had 3 1/2 out of 5 beer mugs Blue Moon if you had just added the one thing I’ve said 100 times! Otherwise it is a good ale!)