Ignite Brewing Co. - Ignite The Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Ale

Eight days into October and not one seasonal pumpkin beer has faced the dreaded Drunken Jackos rating scale!? It's time to put things right around here!!

Ignite The Jack-O'-Lantern

We have scoured the patch,

to find the perfect match.

A bright orange ball,

to light up your fall.

As this pumpkin ale,

will never fall.

To roll in the best season of all.

This review may be a bit skewed, as Ignite Brewing Company's Ignite The Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Ale is brewed literally down the street in Barberton, Ohio. And being that it is one of the area's microbrews, distribution might not make it far outside of Northeast Ohio. But trust me when I say that we are starting this October's Drunken Jackos Rating Scale with a bang.

The first thing to notice is the really cool Headless Horseman linocut-style label art wrapping the tallboy cans. A most worthy offering to the spirit of Halloween, alongside the fun little poem above. Ignite really puts the effort in right from the start.

Upon cracking the can open, you are greeted with a slight earthy scent that slowly subsides into a sweeter note after letting it breath a bit. The beer pours a rich, beautiful dark red copper color with only the slightest head.

The beer starts with a smooth and sweet flavor, but transitions to a more spicy, dry, nutty lasting finish. I really enjoyed the complexity of this one.

Overall, the complex, yet still smooth and rich flavor is quite pleasant and makes for a great, drinkable pumpkin ale that stays away from that overly sweet "pumpkin pie" style of pumpkin beer. And because of that, Ignite Brewing Company's Ignite The Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Ale earns a solid 4 out of 5 Drunken Jackos.

The downside of this being the limited availability, but you would have a nice collectible can if you can find it. It is definitely one to seek out and a great beer to start October off with. Cheers!