Cranky Reviews

Thanksgiving or Misgiving

Pumpkin Spiced Ale

Beer Type

7 to 10

7 to 10

Poor Pours

Rating

IBU 10

Other Info

Thanksgiving or Misgiving

Pumpkin Spice Latteale

High Park Brewery

6.5% Alcohol

Thanksgiving in the great white North and what I’m thankful for is it’s only once a year that I am contractually obligated to sample a pint of the pumpkin persuasion. That useless old fruit (I’m talking about a pumpkin, not our Editor), that odious orange orb that is only good for carving frightening faces on and not much else. In my humble opinion, pumpkin pie is to die because of, not for. Enough pumpkin bashing, time to take a stroll through High Park and see if this crafty Cucurbita pepo pint has what it takes. *

Not my first pumpkin spiced brew and a Whitewater Porter actually made super suds status, the saving grace, espresso. This brew boasts a hint of espresso as well. Just like an adventure out of Too Much Coffee Man, it’s espresso to the rescue! Unfortunately, not this time.

A golden-brown semi clear caramel coloured craft. An aroma of tangy spices, it smells like a saison sour. A saison out of season. First taste and it’s whoa Nelly, too much nutmeg, cinnamon and clove spice, not enough espresso (as in none) makes for a latte that’s lacking. Maybe some espresso will kick in and save the day? Nope. Every swig I hoped for some semblance of balance and every swig is a pumpkin pie spice onslaught. **

It is what it says it is minus the espresso which would have been appreciated. I didn’t love it, or even like it, but I did drink it. A Thanksgiving misgiving of sorts.

High Park take a shot at Starbucks when they tell us “you don’t have to stand in line for hours to get your hands on one of these babies.” My response, “don’t worry, I wouldn’t.”

*Editor’s Comment: A low brow in high park. Symmetry or irony? Take your pick.

**Editor’s Comment: The pumpkin spice flavor used in coffee drinks and baked goods is typically a mixture of spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. It’s called pumpkin spice not because it has pumpkin in it but because it’s the spice mixture traditionally used to flavor pumpkin pie. There is no pumpkin in pumpkin spice. But buyer beware, Starbucks adds puréed pumpkin to the ingredients of its pumpkin spice latte. Good to know if you have a pumpkin allergy, or just hate pumpkin like our reviewer.

Final Rating: Not Quite Nice Spice at 10 out of 20

Pumpkin Spiced Ale

Beer Type

7 to 10

7 to 10

Poor Pours

Rating

Other Info

IBU 10

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