Two indicators of the season can be found in the picture above.
The first is the glass which speaks to the political season we find ourselves in. This was a gift from my brother and his family after they took a trip to DC. The images on the glass represent a time when the two major political parties actually worked together and repealed Prohibition. Certainly a great moment in American history.
The second sign of the season is the bottle to the left of the glass. A Pumpkin Ale. Yes it does seem that from mid-September through at least Halloween everything turns up Pumpkin. Lattes, donuts, beers. Pumpkin it's not just for pies anymore.
Don't get me wrong. I love pumpkin. The pie is my favorite variety. I do enjoy the flavor of pumpkin and of the spices that usually accompany it. But after a while even I have to say "enough is enough".
This particular rendition of Pumpkin Ale comes to us from Magic Hat brewing company in Vermont. Given to fanciful brews and names as they are, they call their version "Wilhelm Scream". I'm sure there is a story behind that name but I haven't found it.
When pouring you first notice the caramel like color. Then you notice the spicy aroma which is definitely on the sweet side.
This spicy sweetness continues as you begin to drink the brew. The flavor is that of pumpkin pie spice for sure. So if you're a fan of pumpkin pie and go in expecting a beer on the sweet side you'll like Wilhelm Scream.
However as with the pumpkin craze that seems to overrun us every October now there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
I did find Wilhelm Scream very drinkable. But it is sweet and heavy. There is too much sweetness and pumpkin pie spice flavor for my liking. There is a hint of bitterness in the finish, but it really needs to be more pronounced to balance the spice and sweetness.
This is a good brew for the season. But it is not an ale you can drink for any length of time or in any quantity.
I give Magic Hat's Wilhelm Scream Pumpkin Ale 5 mugs out of 10.
The first is the glass which speaks to the political season we find ourselves in. This was a gift from my brother and his family after they took a trip to DC. The images on the glass represent a time when the two major political parties actually worked together and repealed Prohibition. Certainly a great moment in American history.
The second sign of the season is the bottle to the left of the glass. A Pumpkin Ale. Yes it does seem that from mid-September through at least Halloween everything turns up Pumpkin. Lattes, donuts, beers. Pumpkin it's not just for pies anymore.
Don't get me wrong. I love pumpkin. The pie is my favorite variety. I do enjoy the flavor of pumpkin and of the spices that usually accompany it. But after a while even I have to say "enough is enough".
This particular rendition of Pumpkin Ale comes to us from Magic Hat brewing company in Vermont. Given to fanciful brews and names as they are, they call their version "Wilhelm Scream". I'm sure there is a story behind that name but I haven't found it.
When pouring you first notice the caramel like color. Then you notice the spicy aroma which is definitely on the sweet side.
This spicy sweetness continues as you begin to drink the brew. The flavor is that of pumpkin pie spice for sure. So if you're a fan of pumpkin pie and go in expecting a beer on the sweet side you'll like Wilhelm Scream.
However as with the pumpkin craze that seems to overrun us every October now there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
I did find Wilhelm Scream very drinkable. But it is sweet and heavy. There is too much sweetness and pumpkin pie spice flavor for my liking. There is a hint of bitterness in the finish, but it really needs to be more pronounced to balance the spice and sweetness.
This is a good brew for the season. But it is not an ale you can drink for any length of time or in any quantity.
I give Magic Hat's Wilhelm Scream Pumpkin Ale 5 mugs out of 10.
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