One Last Pumpkin Beer

I know that it's November and if you've been to the store lately, all the Christmas beers are coming out already, including the oft-coveted Great Lakes Christmas Ale. John snapped up the first 6 of the season last Friday on that one. And don't you worry your pretty beer-drinking heads because we'll get to those in good time.

BUT! Pumpkins are a Thanksgiving thing too. So, if you can find this one, you're in for a treat.

The Great'ER Pumpkin comes from Heavy Seas Brewing Co. There is a Great Pumpkin version but this is the Great'ER Pumpkin because it's aged an extra three weeks in bourbon barrels. That's right, folks. You better believe my bourbon-loving husband couldn't pass this one by. It's an Imperial Ale at 8.5% ABV so it's sold only in 22 oz. bottles for about $7.99.

From the site: "Great Pumpkin draws much of its flavor from a mixture of spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and allspice. Dark brown sugar adds color and some dryness to the spicy, malt-forward ale. The addition of the spices and pumpkin in the kettle makes this brew opaque. A warming pumpkin aroma and a slightly sweet taste characterize our special fall seasonal. The bourbon barrel-aged version of this beer, Great’ER Pumpkin, spends three weeks in barrels from Virginia’s A. Smith Bowman Distillery."

They don't have a separate description for the bourbon version but there was a LOT going on here. All the spices, great pumpkin flavor and of course, the bourbon was right in there too. If you can find this one, and I haven't seen it since we bought it, you are in for a real treat. Give it a taste!



P.S. GO VOTE! Yes, I know it's a pain to go to the polling place that is really close to your house. And the weather may or may not be so great where you are. You already get up so early that you don't want to go before work and after work you're beat. I get it. But, it's important stuff, people. And you know what? After today, no more political ads on TV or Pandora. Hooray!