Pumpkin Beer Chart (Happy Halloween!)

Halloween Greetings from The Ferment Nation. Click on the image above to see a larger version of a chart doing some comparison work with 10 different pumpkin beers! Mini-reviews with overall scores, abv percentages, and in what glass you are likely to be served the beer. Disagree with the ratings? E-mail us!

Stay safe out there. Happy Halloween!

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale 6.3%abv
Where: The Institute Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
When: September 26, 2009, 6:00PM
What-have-you: "Holy moly. This beer could be a little overwhelming if you're a beginner. Draft is way more wine-like than the bottle version. Draft is also a little less creamy but no less impressive. Awesome."

Read all of our Pumpkin Beer Reviews!

Wild Goose Pumpkin Patch Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Wild Goose Pumpkin Patch Ale 6.0%abv
Where: The Institute Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
When: September 26, 2009, 6:00PM
What-have-you: "This beer possesses an extreme funk; kinda weird and wacky. Blow out a pumpkin candle and lick the wick if you want to approximate the flavor. So I should probably come back to this brew and give it another chance in a few minutes.......... Okay, let's see here... this isn't very good. I guess I was right the first time."

Read all of our Pumpkin Beer Reviews!

Dock Street The Great Pumpkin (Presidential Brief)

What: Dock Street The Great Pumpkin 5.75%abv
Where: The Institute Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
When: September 26, 2009, 6:00PM
What-have-you: "Ale first, Pumpkin second. Very even and very drinkable. Nothing crazy or scary going on here."

Read all of our Pumpkin Beer Reviews!

Taj Mahal Premium Lager

From the office of the Vice President:

I can't help but look at the beer and wine section of any restaurant's menu, but you can't always expect to get a quality import beer from the country whose cuisine is represented by the American restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to see "Taj" listed on menu while enjoying a fine Indian meal at the Bombay Grill in Frederick, MD [see a map]. When the waiter brought the 22oz. bottle to the table, it was interesting. There was the Taj Mahal right on the label. Taj Mahal Premium Lager Beer it read. Product of India, and imported by a Californian company if I recall correctly. The beer was served nice and cold, and it had a nice golden color to it. Not much in the way of head, and when I tasted it, it didn't have too much in the way of flavor either. At 4.5%abv, it tasted like a fairly bland beer.

In my opinion, The Ferment Nation enjoys normal diplomatic relations with India, and all-in-all, I feel a certain affection for the nation. True story: a guy in India saved my ass (and my computer's ass) when I corrupted the Windows Explorer shell (I don't know how). I've also seen the movie Gandhi plenty of times (poor Ben Kingsley has been reduced to doing horrible sci-fi pics), and I love Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, so you can imagine I was a bit disappointed with this less than dramatic Indian beer. However, I got to thinking. Indian food can be spicey and filled with interesting flavors. And when you go to an Indian restaurant, you're going for the food not for anything else. So, was Taj Mahal Premium Lager a great beer? No. But did it provide a nice, cold, refreshing drink to wash down all that tasy Indian food? You bet your Lamb Vindaloo it did!

So, good beer is hard to come by, and a country like India has got to have their Miller, their Budweiser, their Coors, and I think this is pretty much what this was. Not a craft beer, but it got the job done, and when you have a tasty meal with good friends, the beer always tastes pretty darn good anyway.

Holy Mackerel Mack in Black

Holy Mackerel Mack in Black:

This Imperial Black Ale brewed with pomegranates is pretty sumptuous. It manages tart and sweet adn creamy and full-bodied with no problems at all. Mack in Black is a smooth fruit beer with the strong framework of a toasty ale, bordering on porter. The hop profile is subtle -- a modest presence in the finish -- but the pomegranate juice really nails it down, offering up a mellow and accessible flavor experience.

Many fruit beers are a little too sweet for my tastes. Or too tart. Or too heavy-handed. Or too boozy. Mack in Black is certainly a fruit beer but it is pleasantly complex and rich. It is most likely meant to be a dessert beer and I don't disagree. At 8% abv, it earns the "Imperial" moniker but won't beat you up. I may only choose to drink one and enjoy it and then move on to something else a little crisper and drier. I say this because if I were to drink two in a row, the math would become a little fuzzy: you know that beerquation when two equals five, plus a shot of Jager equals inexcuseable behavior, minus common sense plus pounding headache.

I would recommend Mack in Black to lovers of fruity porters and stouts and anyone who is afraid of dark beers because they might be too bitter. It is chocolatey and toasty but not bitter in the slightest. The Gordash Beer Company is new to me but I'm looking forward to more offerings.

Holy Mackerel Mack in Black:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .875

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .925

Total Score: 3.75 Flags

Citizen Review Cheryl Smuttynose Porter

Smuttynose Porter:

"A little watery -- expected

more bitter + less sweet

a decent porter"

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .25

Style Points: .50

Personal Preference: .50

Total Score: 2.25 Flags

Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale (Presidential Brief)

What:Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale 5%abv
Where: The Institute Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
When: September 26, 2009, 6:00PM
What-have-you: "Dry and boozy with a warming quality. This would be good to take with you on a hayride on a chilly night."

Read all of our Pumpkin Beer Reviews!

Laughing Dog Cream Ale

Laughing Dog Cream Ale:

There aren't a ton of Cream Ales out there so I'm happy to try one if it is available. This one from Laughing Dog is brewed with lager and ale yeasts. The texture is certainly interesting (perhaps due to the tag-team yeast concoction) and fizzy on the tongue. This cream ale is just a bit tart -- not exactly like a Flemish Sour brew but a bit metallic and zippy.

The color is pale yellow and Laughing Dog Cream Ale is just a touch cloudy. It reminds me a little bit of a wheaty pilsner at first sight but finishes much more tart. There's just a bit of lemony aftertaste when you've finished the first sip.

Overall, I'd say that the Laughing Dog Cream Ale is an okay brew for thirst-quenching on a hot day but it's not my favorite Cream Ale. I have to say I was expecting something more... well... creamy.

Laughing Dog Cream Ale:

Representation: .75

Accessibility: .85

Style: .85

Personal Preference: .80

Total Score: 3.25 Flags

River Horse Tripel Horse (Citizen Review)

River Horse Tripel Horse:

"Very sweet not cloying

but not a lot of body

or aftertaste -- I expect

more dimensions in a tripel"

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .25

Style Points: 1.0

Personal Preference: .25

Total Score: 2.5 Flags

--Reviewed by Citizen Cheryl Selah

Elysian Dragonstooth Stout (Presidential Brief)

What: Elysian Dragonstooth Stout 7.2%abv
Where: The Blue Monkey Tavern (Merchantville, NJ)
When: October 16, 2009, 10:05PM
What-have-you: "Blue Monkey. Elysian 'dragonstooth stout'. Rich up front and bitter finish dry? Hoppy? Body lightens up at the end and aftertaste is toasty."

Gritty's Halloween Ale

Gritty's Halloween Ale:

This may be the only Halloween Ale I've ever had. Pumpkin brews are usually geared for the haunted holiday but this is NOT a pumpkin beer at all. Gritty's Halloween Ale is an Extra Special Bitter Ale with a pretty stable malty base and nifty bitter finish. The coppery color matches the aroma: kind of earthy and metallic with a tang at the end.

Gritty's Halloween has a light to medium body and an interesting flavor. There may be just a hint of caramel in ther, or perhaps vanilla. But it's not sweet at all. kind of like a cowtail candy without the sugar. I'm not sure that makes any sense.

You know, here's an interesting tidbit: I drank about half this beer from the bottle before pouring it into a pint glass. Truth be told, I prefer it from the bottle. The air from sipping gives it just a little lift. Definitely on the short list to bring to a Halloween party. The scary label and specificity of the title make it a no-brainer. But aside from that, it's an interesting selection because of the earthy undertones and bitter "snap" at the end.

I've been to Gritty McDuff's in Portland, Maine a few times now. It is certainly a worthwhile stop in a very lively and cool town. Awesome place to visit -- recommended highly by the Cabinet.

Gritty's Halloween Ale:

Representation: .90

Accessibility: .925

Style: .85

Personal Preference: .875

Total Score: 3.55 Flags

Terrapin (Side Project) Gamma Ray (Citizen Review)

Terrapin Beer Company's Side Project Volume 3 - Gamma Ray:

"Terrapin Gamma Ray - like a bowl of self-milking honey wheaties. More smooth than sweet. Very interesting and delicious."





--Reviewed by Toastmaster General

Southampton Pumpkin Ale

Southampton Pumpkin Ale:

Ooh. This is pretty nice. The pumpkin and spice flavors are lively and seasonal -- definitely got that pumpkin pie thing going on. The body is light to medium with a nice effervescence. Southampton is not over the top in style but has plenty to offer. Very accessible as well, with a fun burst of flavor but keeping it cool at 5.5% abv.

I can't help but compare Southampton to two others we've seen before: Southampton seems to posess the body that Shipyard Pumpkinhead is shooting for. At the same time it tones down the sweetness and intensity that Saranac Pumpkin gives us. Southampton looks quite comfy between the two and is recommended as a "bring with" to Halloween parties. Maybe a Thanksgiving Day Parade or football tailgater. Thanksgiving Dinner? Maybe not, but I suppose that's up to you.

Southampton Pumpkin Ale:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .95

Style: .875

Personal Preference: .875

Total Score: 3.7 Flags

Read [ALL OUR PUMPKIN REVIEWS!]

Stone IPA (Citizen Review)

Stone IPA:

"Notes of clover and cinnamon with a good, hoppy finish."

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style Points: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total: 4.0 Flags

--Reviewed by Citizen George Mangini

Stone Old Guardian (Presidential Brief)

What: Stone Old Guardian
Where: PJ's Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: October 8, 2009, 10:39PM
What-have-you: Stone. Old Guardian. Rich dryish and could stand guard over me any day. '07 vintage rocks!

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale:

This is an extremely well-balanced beer, and an even better-balanced pumpkin beer. Nice medium body with a fairly creamy mouthfeel. The pumpkin flavor is not faint or thin by any means -- but has a freshness and clean finish that some other pumpkin brews lack. Really awesome aroma, too, but again: not overdone. The label boasts over 7 lbs of pumpkin ber parrel and spices include the usual supects: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. But somehow the formula rises to the top of an otherwise cluttered vat of seasonal offerings.

Elysian Night Owl is also a bit cloudy. I generally like this quality because it tells me that the ingredients are properly suspended in the brew and ready to be enjoyed with every sip. It's not a requirement, mind you, but I think in this case it adds to the body and the overall pumpkin experience.

Since one cannot avoid comparing a new pumpkin ale with its predecessors, I'll go on record as saying this Night Owl hangs with the big boys. Just as I place Southampton a little above Shipyard and Saranac because it had the good qualities of both. Well Elysian Night Owl takes that "just right" feeling to a new level: It's "just righter". Night Owl offers enough pumpkinny fun to amuse at a party but it's refined enough to set on the dinner table. Of all the pumpkin brews I've tried, it ranks up there with So. Tier Pumking and Dogfish Head Punk.

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: .90

Personal Preference: .95

Total Score: 3.85 Flags

Read ALL OUR PUMPKIN reviews!

Tombstone T's are Back!

Not sure what to wear for Halloween? Become part of the legion of Beer Zombies with this fashionable Ferment Nation- "The Party Never Ends" - Tombstone T-Shirt. In both Ghouls and Gals styles and sizes. This quality Tee features a true party animal rising from the dead to enjoy one more pint! Also sports the Ferment Nation bottle cap logo, reading "In Grog We Trust."

Just check out the Ferment National Pride store at Cafe Press. Click [HERE]

The Institute Bar: Charlie's Pumpkin Patch

So, you're trying to outdo El Presidente's Ultimate Pumpkin Showdown, eh? Well Charlie, you've stood your ground admirably. With Ten Pumpkin Beers on tap, The Institute Bar (on the corner of 12th and Green in Philadelphia) put on a heck of a show with Charlie's Pumpkin Patch Saturday.

My first time at The Institute was a cool affair. What struck me most was the really cool laid back crowd. Just lots of regular people who love good beer and gathering for a raucous good time. The V.P. and I also had food, by the way. I recommend the Pork Fries. Yes, I said PORK FRIES and they were delicious.

So how did we begin? With one beer each not nearly being enough to get a true sampling, we decided to board Ale Force One and take flight (well, two flights actually) and sample eight of the seasonal drafts at once. What follows is a brief rundown of the brews, some of which I've reviewed before, and others that are forthcoming in the next weeks before Halloween. Here goes:


Lakefront Pumpkin Lager: Pumpkin zest, lager bite. A little bitter but pretty nice.

Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale: Dry and boozy with a warming quality. This would be good to take with you on a hayride on a chilly night.

Dock Street Pumpkin: Ale first, Pumpkin second. Very even and very drinkable. Nothing crazy or scary going on here.

The Bruery Pumpkin: Light and tart. Wheaty flavor but a little dry. Not too terribly pumpkinny.

Southampton Pumpkin Ale: Draft is a little better than out of a bottle; Opens up and has a touch of tartness but a dessert-like sweetness prevails. Sweet without making me cringe.

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale: Holy moly. This beer could be a little overwhelming if you're a beginner. Draft is way more wine-like than the bottle version. Draft is also a little less creamy but no less impressive. Awesome.

Wild Goose Pumpkin Patch: This beer posesses an extreme funk; kinda weird and wacky. Blow out a pumpkin candle and lick the wick if you want to approximate the flavor. So I should probably come back to this brew and give it another chance in a few minutes.......... Okay, let's see here... this isn't very good. I guess I was right the first time.

Southern Tier Pumpking: This is Halloween, This is Halloween... Just crazier than ever. I gotta say, though, it's a little much. The same style that blew me away last year is now a bit much for everyday use.

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale: The Real Deal. The Rizzle Dizzle. Draft, bottle, whatever. This is an awesome Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Autumnal Equinox beer. Its the new champion of this Fall, in my humble opinion.

So my first trip to The Institute was a success. A good time was had by all. A special shoutout goes to Mark Kalbacher who tends bar at the Institute. We appreciate the heads up to the event and the access to take pictures. We hope that you, dear citizens, can benefit from the reviews of these beers. And do visit the Institute soon. It's a lively place with awesome beers on tap. Oh, and Pork Fries.

NJ Governor's Historical Brewhouse

From Todd Kimmell:

[In the 1980s, Burlington, NJ based historian, Henry 'Doc' Bisbee and a team of researchers identified an oddly shaped and oddly situated Georgian home along the Delaware River as the late 1600s brewhouse of the first Governor of West Jersey's home. That information never made it beyond the beloved Bisbee's local xeroxed newsletter, THE BURLINGTON STORY.

Philadelphia based historian Todd Kimmell bought the house and started renovations, but when he pulled down the ceiling in the dining room of what he thought was a mid 18th century home, he found the structure of the 17th century brewery in situ. A trip to the Burlington County Historical Society library revealed all of the back issues of Bisbee's historical journal, including a number of references to what is locally known as Ivy Cottage, and the early brewing that took place there. "The 1770 house had been built up and over the 1600s brewhouse," says Kimmell with a grin, "but Dr. Bisbee never lived to see the physical proof of his research."

The brew house shared a back and side yard with Collins' print shop, at the time when Ben Franklin was printing paper currency there for the Colony of New Jersey. Tired from printing money, Ben? Time for a pint of the Governor's best!

Though there are other locations in the US where earlier breweries once existed, there is no brewhouse still standing as old as Ivy Cottage. That makes it the oldest brewhouse in the USA. Pennsylvania's Yuengling is still the oldest active and continually operating brewery in America, circa 1829, and this discovery takes nothing away from their remarkable record.

Kimmell will host an open house on Saturday, October 3rd, for beer lovers, architectural historians, devotees of early American woodwork and those who just love the wonder of a great story of rediscovery. The house is currently on the market, and has been listed on The National Trust For Historic Preservation's PRESERVATION 911.

Ivy Cottage is located at 6 West Pearl Street in Burlington, NJ 08016. The open house is Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, from 1 to 4 PM.

For more information about the open house, please call Denise Barnett at (609) 304-8801]

Thanks to Todd for this great story!

Founders Breakfast Stout (Presidential Brief)

What: Founders Breakfast Stout
Where: PJ's Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: September 23, 2009, 9:59PM
What-have-you: Better than I remember, which is un-freakin'-believable. Rich 'n bitter 'n smooth . Kinda strong, but not too boozy.