Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale

BB Dennis:

I am a firm believer that there is a time and place for everything. I go berserk when I come from vacation in the summer to find Halloween candy displays at the supermarket. Mind you, it wasn’t even the first week of August.

It’s the same on December 26 displays go up next to the half-priced Christmas candy. It’s ridiculous with a capital “R”.

I believe the same goes for beers. I am a big fan of the Oktoberfest beers and get very excited during the month of August as dust starts to collect on Sam Adams products in the store (because they have had the autumn beers on the shelf since the second week of July) and additional Autumn beers begin to pop up on the shelves.

I know this has been mentioned on this blog Autumn beers are for Autumn, not for a weekend barbecue at Jerry’s house.

I am also a believer that Autumn beers should not be sipped before September 1, but having a very week moment in late July, early August when I saw Blue Point’s Pumpkin Ale on the shelves. I thought to myself, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a sixer. I resisted though, because I had a deal burning in my back pocket for two jugs directly from Blue Point. Why settle for a sixer when I could get a fresh batch directly from the brewery?

I was fortunate though because I was talked off the ledge by one of the bartenders. Her response was, “It’s too early for Pumpkin Ale; it won’t be available until the third week in August”. I do have to point out the irony that Blue Point had sixers already on the shelves, though I suspect they were brewed outside of Patchogue, likely Rochester, NY. I was successfully talked of the ledge…but only for a few weeks longer.

Earlier this week I was strolling around the supermarket with my girlfriend, picking up odds and ends to make dinner. We stumbled upon Blue Moon’s Brewmaster’s Seasonal Sampler. The pack did not include my favorite of favorites, an Oktoberfest; make no mistake, this was Autumn beer in August.

Despite knowing better I decided to take the leap and purchase this fine collection of beer, which I intend on reviewing.

First on the docket for premature Autumn beers is Blue Moon’s Harvest Pumpkin Ale. For a number of years I went out of my way to ignore the pumpkin beer because I am not a fan of pumpkin anything in general. My lack of fandom was born purely out of ignorance and had no foundation.

My perception on pumpkin changed a few years ago when decided to have a pumpkin something and formulate an adult opinion.

The result: outstanding!

The Pour. An auburn (a plus for a guy who likes redheads) topped with a foamy head that doesn’t seem to want to go down.

The Aroma. The spices are strong, especially the cloves and nutmeg.

The Sip. Not a strong pumpkin taste; finishes with a sweet caramel taste. A bit heavy for late August
weather, but would make for a great beer on a cool autumn afternoon.

Wrap Up;

Score: 3/4

Not being a Blue Moon drinker I found a delicious surprise in this one. This autumn beer offered a
balanced taste between pumpkin and spices in a line that I find usually has an over powering fruit taste. I will see Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale in the cooler months, though.

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BB Nick:

Blue Moon as stated quite a few times on this blog is one of my fave mass produced breweries. They try to hold true to the craft, and do so fairly well. As stated in my review of their Summer Honey Wheat, they will hold a special place with me for a while because of my exposure to them in my early beer days.

Now onto the Fall seasonals. Their Pumpkin, back when it was called Harvest Moon, was also one of my first experiences with Pumpkin beers. That is what is great about them. They let the masses in on some secrets. You would never see one of the tasteless giants try new things. Trying that pumpkin, because it was so readily available, got me to seek out the harder to find pumpkins. And now it is an obsession.

Moving on. For a mass produced pumpkin, and now my tastes have expanded, they still are pretty damn good. But how will this years batch be?

The Pour. Deep dark amber, nice semi creamy looking head that holds on a bit, then disappears. Good look though. Despite its clarity, the dark tones lead it to more opacity on a seasonal beer than we have seen in a while. Dig it.

The Aroma. The scents of fall are all over this one. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin pie crust, and of course the pumpkin that is in it. Sweeter smelling than I remember, but the spices are there, and for that I can’t wait for the next step.

The Sip. That is the good stuff. Medium body feel, clove hits first, than a cinnamon sweet pumpkin in the middle. Smooth, easy finish. Man have I missed that taste! Didn’t pick up the nutmeg that was in the nose until about the 3rd or 4th sip (or gulp) but that is nice too.

OK, my tastes may be a bit skewed on this one. It sounds like I flat out love it. But the truth is, it is only my 2nd Pumpkin beer since this November 2011. So needless to say, it is going to be awesome regardless. I will keep a few of these around for an “Upon Further Review” later on in the season. But for right now, this may be the best Blue Moon Pumpkin I’ve had. Period.

Wrap Up;

3.25/4

Could’ve balanced out the sweet a bit more with the spice, but in all honesty, it is pretty damn good as is. Man this is a good time for beer! The fact I get to keep drinking these types for a while… just love it!

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