The pumpkin beers are out in force and it's time to once again rate a few in my highly scientific Drunken Jackos rating scale. Every Halloween season, I grab any new pumpkin beer that hasn't been rated in previous seasons, pop the cap and see how it stacks up.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin is their limited, seasonal pumpkin release in their Voodoo Ranger lineup. It's "Pumpkin Ale featuring cinnamon and habanero chili peppers for just the right amount of heat."
Which sounded very interesting and led me to pick this up to start off the pumpkin beer season. I was surprised at the light copper hue upon pouring, but very impressed with the intense sweet cinnamon spice note.
Unfortunately for me, things went a bit downhill from there. There was only the faintest hint of pumpkin on first taste. That sweet cinnamon spice flavor was there, but it was quickly overpowered by the taste of the habanero pepper. The pepper flavor was very present at the back of the tongue and throat, and it ended up leaving a rather unpleasant aftertaste that lingered down the back of my throat long after I decided that this beer wasn't for me.
I guess I'm a "pumpkin pie" pumpkin beer purist, and although I was excited to try something bold and different, habanero pepper-infused pumpkin beer just wasn't it.
I still recommend giving it a try if you want to try something different, but this one just wasn't for me. And because of that throaty habanero burn, New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin gets 1 out of 5 Drunken Jackos.
2 comments:
I will take your advice....like mine light and full of fall....not peppers. I know its tough work for you but someone has to do it!
October Boy, it's tough work, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice!
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