It's shocking to me that in this second week of October, most of the pumpkin beers have already vanished. I can only guess that grocers are already making way for the seasonal beers of that OTHER holiday... And it sure does make it difficult for rankings in the highly scientific Drunken Jackos Rating System, but nonetheless here we go.
Even with the slim pickings, I was still able to grab a six pack of New Holland Brewing's Ichabod Pumpkin Ale out of New Holland, Michigan. I cracked a can from the pack and was met with a subtle earthy note, that actually left me wanting something more. The beer itself poured a nice, rich copper hue and held a firm head, and quickly progressed to a slight cinnamon sweet note.
On first sip, any hope of a cinnamon pumpkin flavor was immediately bypassed by an overall and lasting malt dryness that lingered at the back of the throat. And that dry aftertaste lingered well after the first few sips.
Overall, this beer had a flat, dry and earthy flavor with an overly pronounced dry aftertaste. Not what I was expecting and not what I was hoping for. Maybe a beer for those looking for a more roasted, malty, nutty flavor.
So with that flat flavor and that aftertaste, New Holland Brewing's Ichabod Pumpkin Ale gets a 2 out of 5 Drunken Jackos. I made it through one can, but the rest will go into the party cooler for Halloween night.
I sure hope that I can find a few more pumpkin beers this season. So far, the scale hasn't pinged any real standouts...
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