Long Trail - Pumpkin Ale

Long Trail Brewing Co.

Pumpkin Ale

The color of this brew is a reddish copper.  It had a mild white rad that dissipated at a moderate pace and left a little residue in the center.  The brew is translucent, the color and body only let light through.

The aroma is mildly spiced.  There are hints of cinnamon, and nutmeg.  The beer also gives off a slight bit of meaty pumpkin.  Nothing about this aroma wowing but there is a decent aroma that you have to get close to to notice.  

On the palate the extremely mild carbonation gives way to a beer that to me is blah.  The spice is just like the aroma, mild and not really appealing.  The pumpkin flavor itself is blah and not an impact on this beer.  The beer finishes with an out if nowhere bitterness that leaves a metally taste on the tongue for a few seconds.  If you are wondering if this is a fresh beer, it is!!!  

Ok, I bought this beer because I had to try it.  I have actually not liked a single beer Long Trail has made that I have had.  I didn't want to be close minded and figure all their beers are bad, but this is another to add to the list.  I simply don't like it.  Will I ever by a Long Trail again?  Yes, only cuz I have to believe they make a good beer, but this isn't it.  I give this a 1.5 out of 5, only because the aroma isn't horrible.

DuClaw - Misery

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Misery - Wheat Wine Ale

The color of this brew is a miz depending on the light of gold and light copper.  The brew is slightly transparent, but with a slight cloudiness that doesn't make it to easy to see through.  The head was light and disappeared with easy.  The beer has a look of champagne with the way the bubble rise to the top, straight lined and evenly spaced.

The aroma smells like a sweet wine.  Tons of fruit, mainly a grape smell, but there is also a caramel essence and a slight bite on the end, but you really need to take a deep breath to notice it.  

On the palate the light carbonation gives way to a heavier beer than it looks.  There is a ton of body to this brew.  The flavors are different than the smell, while the aroma gives you sweet, wine sense, the grape/wine flavor is the second thing you notice.  The first is a smooth candied sugar, that is slightly heavy.  Then you get some of the grape/wine flavors.  It finishes creamy smooth, with a slight bit of bitterness.  There is a pleasant blanket of all the flavors left as an after taste.  There is also a decent sense of the alcohol, but nothing too strong.  It's just enough to remind you that this beer is strong and should be respected.  There is just a ton going on here!  You have to taste it to understand!

Overall this beer is right in my wheel house.  It has a lot of good flavor, nice alcohol presence, and an aroma that plays tricks on you.  The color is nice and inviting, the beer tastes good, looks good, and has some things about it that are different from a lot of other brews.  I give it a 4 out of 5!  Go get some!