I love all things fall. I love the temperature, the changing of the leaves, going to the pumpkin patch, food, and the seasonal beers that come with it. But in today’s Brew Review I taste a seasonal pumpkin beer that I just can’t get on board with.
About New Holland Brewery
New Holland Brewery is a Michigan based brewery that was found in 1996 by Brett Vanderkamp and Jason Spaulding. The brewery has evolved over the last decade and a half and is now producing award winning brews. Their Pilgrims Dole won a silver at the Great American Beer Fest in 2007. Their Mad Hatter IPA is one of my personal favorites.
About Ichabod Pumpkin Ale
Ichabod is a seasonal ale produced by New Holland. A brew that is made with malted barley, pumpkin, Cinnamon and nutmeg. They say it goes with season poultry and root vegetable dishes.
My Review
The Packaging
Ichabod has a great package. If you are at the store during the month of October and are looking for a seasonal the headless horseman and his glowing pumpkin that grace the front of this label are sure to catch your eye.
The Pour
Ichabod pours a really nice orange color with a hint of cloudiness to it. It looks to have a pretty light body, but the foamy head and color make me want to drink it.
The Nose
Big time spices on the nose. I am not finding the pumpkin, but it smells like nutmeg galore.
The Palate
Ichabod didn’t treat my palate the right way at all. I was looking for something that wasn’t there: pumpkin. I am not sure how you can get away calling this a pumpkin beer, maybe a pumpkin pie beer, but not a pumpkin beer. The only thing you get from this beer is nutmeg and cloves. Really big cloves. Like when you take a bite of ham and you didn’t notice the clove on top and it just makes your grimace from the unexpected spice.
The body of the beer is light and crisp, but it doesn’t leave me wanting more. The only thing that kept me from pouring this beer down the drain is my will to drink beer.
This beer is a major pass in my book. You will find pumpkin ales out there that offer more diverse flavors and in better balance with one another.
The Rating
2.5 out of 5
I figured we needed some sort of rating scale on the site. I may even punt one in for you guys to rate beers too.
For starters, I like the new format of your reviews. I think it ads a more professional look and I found it easier to read.
This beer is disgusting. I wouldn’t quite compare it to that rum beer I drank but it definitely isn’t good.
Have you tried http://farm1.static.flickr.com/37/89478283_3f791b39a0.jpg
I was extremely excited to try this beer because I like bluemoon but was disappointed just as you were to not find the pumpkin flavor. My friend Charles, whom loves pumpkin, could not taste the pumpkin either.
Robbie,
Disgusting was my original thought too. I didn’t want to come across as too harsh though.
Thanks on the compliment of the new format. I am pleased with it too. Hopefully I will get to video reviews soon.
Good job on getting a gravatar, it makes conversation easier and better.
As for the Blue Moon, I haven’t had it yet, but I haven’t been a big fan of Blue Moon in the past so I am not going to get my hopes up.
Adam
Adam, It’s not fall!!! And start, reviewing real bears will ya! Not foo foo drinks!
Dave,
I know it isn’t fall, but thank you for the reminder. And these beers are as real as they get. You know your beloved Budweiser is so light and foo foo like because it was made to attract women during World War II right.
Yeah, your favorite beer of all time used to be a lot heavier but they and all other domestic beer companies made it nice an lady like to make sales during the war.
And since then domestic lagers have just gotten lighter and lighter, hence the light and ultra light versions that are out now.
Adam
I absolutely like the new format, pumpkin beer is not for me!
Thanks Petry. I thought it would make it a little nicer.
what happened to putting actual beer ingredients into beer? Pumpkin? Come on man. Now I like pumpkin flavor in most things, but it doesn’t belong in beer. Its a novelty, something that might get tried once but nothing that will ever get added to my regular rotation.
And Dave is right, its not fall. How about some winter brews.
How boring would life be if we didn’t make new recipes. I bet you eat plain turkey with no condiments on it every day. Things with flavor are bad.
I think the pumpkin aspect of this beer is a marketing appeal. When people think of fall, it consists of colder weather, thanksgiving and the changing of colors. The pumpkin flavor isn’t there at all but people will pick it up just because they want a change of pace and you think it could be a interesting brew. The fact remains that the beer is gross and the label brings even more deception to this con.
I think one of the best things about beer is the fact that you can make such a vast variety of flavors. Even if you do produce some gross flavored beer, someone out there will like it even if you don’t.
Light beers do have there purpose….Beer pong.
Thanks for the review and comments. I don’t think I will like it but have to try all beers to see if I do. Not A fan for pumpkin in beer, Liquor now is a different subject, but for beer not a fan but again it is a beer and have to try it.