Quick Sip 018. Wick for Brains Pumpkin Ale

here in Houston, even an unusually mild August doesn't really mean that Autumn is on the breeze. There will still probably be a lot of sweltering days and nights ahead before The Great Pumpkin rises out of his patch. That doesn't stop the brewers and distributors from jumping the gun and getting their October brews on the shelves.

The first one I tapped this year (and as you may have read, I'm not tapping nearly as many as I used to) is from the Nebraska Brewing Company: Wick for Brains. I have to admit, most of the reason I picked it up was the cool and fun can design. Something about that wicked Jack peering out at me was just too fun to resist. So I didn't.

How could I resist Jolly Jack on this can?

I bought a six-pack at a local Kroger for about $8.50. A bit pricey, but certainly not too pricey. I served it ice cold and, popping the top (it's hard to describe it, but the pop top is actually unusual, in that it doesn't pop a hole, but rather shoves down a flap) I was rewarded with one of the stronger pumpkin and spice smells I've encountered in a long time. It was so strong it almost evoked a sense memory of spice cookies baking in the oven. It was very pleasant.

Ichabod's horseman and this ale have a lot in common.

What was not so pleasant was the head -- or lack thereof -- when I poured it. In terms of headlessness, Ichabod Crane's nemesis and this aggressive pour had a lot in common: it was pretty much headless. I had to do a very aggressive pour to get any head at all, and then it faded leaving no lace at all.

Whereas the head was missing, aroma and taste were not. The first sip was a rewarding mix of malty ale and the expected pumpkin spices (allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon) -- but only more so. I've had a lot of pumpkin ales over the years, and some were quite good, but this is one of the best of its kind. The pumpkin takes front and center stage, but it's not pulling some gimmicky diva act. This is a star and knows how to work with the rest of the ensemble. In other words, the flavors are strong but balanced. And wonderfully so, especially in a beer this strong: It has an ABV of 6.1%.

Wick for Brains is our classic and painstakingly produced Fall Pumpkin Ale. Instead of simply using spice, we use real pumpkin which lends a sweetness and pumpkin flavor not found in many Pumpkin Ales. Wonderful pumpkin pie spice intertwined in an Amber Ale creates a pumpkin sensation which is elegantly crafted. Notes of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger and Allspice blend perfectly in this seasonal Ale. There are many Pumpkin Ales out there crafted by some wonderful breweries – we feel that ours stands among them and in some cases – stands apart.
-- From their Website

This is a seasonal, so if you spot a six-pack, I strongly suggest you grab one and head to the nearest, most-sincere pumpkin patch you can find. Play some haunting tunes by Midnight Syndicate and enjoy the night. You don't actually have to wait for The Great Pumpkin to arrive. He already has -- in this can or bottle.

My Score (as a pumpkin ale): 9 out of 10

065. Karbach Krunkin Pumpkin

Thanksgiving is this week, and I'm still trotting out the pumpkin beers from my vault: Karbach Krunkin Pumpkin. At least this one mentions turkey day on the label, so I guess i can save my guilt for seconds on Thursday. I picked this ale up a while back -- it came in a 22 oz bottle that is commonly called a "bomber" at my local Spec's Liquor store. This was the last bottle they had.

Speaking of which, I do think this would be a decent beer to share with guests at a big meal, as I believe it is better consumed in small glasses, rather than downing the entire bottle, as I'm doing tonight. It's just too sweet and spicy for my taste.

First Pour
Popping the top is like breaking the seal on the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The moment you do, aromas start swirling out of the bottle, almost spinning around the top seeking release. And they are pleasing. Spice, malt, a hint of hops, an undercurrent of yeast and the promise of pumpkin pie. The pie is definitely a portent of the sweetness to come.

The pour yielded a respectable one-finger head that was surprising consistent as it sat atop a rich chocolate brown ale that could stand next to a Guinness without being embarrassed -- yup, it's that dark. The first sip was pretty cold, and it was almost cloyingly sweet with a generous amount of pumpkin flowing through. It was good, but I could tell right away that this was not nuanced enough to be from Karbach Brewing Co., so I would need to let it warm up a bit so the other flavors could come alive.

So wait I did, and was rewarded for my patience. Even a few degrees allowed some of the dormant flavors to awaken and swarm forth, delivering more spice and subtlety as the brew warmed above 50 degrees. I began detecting pepper, pumpkin spice and hops -- in other words, the flavors promised by the pleasing noseful I got when I opened the bottle.

Directions
1.  Take pale, Munic and crystal malts and mash for 90 minutes.2.  Lauter with sugar pumpkins baked for 60 minutes at 420 degrees and boil wort for 70 minutes.3.  Add hops at beginning and end of boil and add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice at very end of the boil.4.  Ferment with yeast, cold condition and bottle.*Best served chilled in goblet-style glass to goblins, ghouls or naughty nurses at your favorite Halloween party or uptight in-laws at Thanksgiving dinner.*-- From the label

If you like more bitter flavors, drink this warm and you will find a nice counterbalance to the sweetness. Well... probably not enough for the true hops whores out there. If you love IPAs, then this is not the beer for you.

Fortunately, this is a limited release and kind of hard to get, so there is no chance it will become part of your everyday larder. But, as a once-in-a-while fall treat, this is a treasure that even  Indy could enjoy.

Closing Thoughts

This is a really good pumpkin ale; in fact, it is probably the best one I've ever had. That being said, I don't love pumpkin ales all that much. But if they were all this good, I would consider trying more of them. This is a dark ale suited for winter. I think it would pair will with turkey or other food, but is probably way too sweet to pair with dessert.

Thoughts from the bottom of the glass:
Type: Pumpkin Ale
Color: Rich chocolate brown
Aroma: Spices, pumpkin, hops, yeast & sweet malt
Hops: Present, but not as pronounced as expected
Malt: A sweet foundation
Head: One-finger head that shrinks to a thin ring that never quite fades completely
Lace: Almost none.
Bitterness: Not really -- this is a fairly sweet ale
Carbonation: Medium to light
Mouthfeel:  Refreshing, but the yeast does get a little cloying after drinking a lot
Temeprature Sweet Spot: 50 - 55 degrees
ABV: 8.5%
My Rating: 7 out of 10

Other Reviews Worth A Sip:
Mostly positive reviews at Beer Advocate. A few didn't get it, but those that did really enjoyed it a lot.