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BOTW: Shipyard Brewing’s Smashed Pumpkin

Posted October 27th, 2009 by Chris
smashpump_cartonend

So my usual weekend will consist of grabbing some beers, usually 2-3 IPAs and something daring. In this case, with it being the holidays, I decided to go with something more “in season”. Recalling years past I remember these novelty beers as just that, a novelty, limited batch, kept in a cupboard never really intended to be consumed. But that’s just me, maybe my experience with these holiday themed beers is that they are over the top experimental brews that are to be soon forgotten, and they usually are.

Perusing the aisles of my local beer stop, I’ve got two in the hole (Avery’s Anniversary Ale and a Dorado IIPA) and I’m in search of that experimental beer and there it is, my nemesis, Shipyard Brewing’s Smashed Pumpkin. Right away I notice the jack-o-lantern staring me in the eyes but I see it as too cliche, too obvious. Of course we’re talking about seasonal beers and it’s October and we’re dealing with a pumpkin beer but…oh never mind I give up.

I grab the beer and oh, what is this? A flashy gold foil wrapper wrapped around the cap. Now I’m exited because anyone who adds a touch of class like this must have a great deal of pride invested. Now I’m exited, truly waiting to experience what is beyond the gold wrapper and scary pumpkin label.

Smashed Pumpkin pours a deep, burnt orange almost copper pint with almost no head. Disappointing at the least but i remain hopeful so I continue. Nose is immediate pumpkin, nutmeg and some other pumpkin pie-like spices. I’m digging the nose and ready to dive in. First sip is er…interesting, familiar but not. I’m wondering if I like this, it’s better than I imagined but it’s not living up to its “gold wrapper” status. I’ll continue to drink and see if it grows on me.

About 15 oz in and I realize that this is no longer good, not disappointing, just not good enough to finish further proving my point about these types of beers. I will admit the 9% ABV was a nice touch and was well hidden at the expense of the spices. Overall I wasn’t disappointed rather intrigued and wanting to disprove my theory of novelty beers.

Shipyard did a great job but maybe just not my cup of tea…at least for now.

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