A Quest for the Best Pumpkin Beer

I am typically not a sweet drinks person, so I have never been drawn to a pumpkin spiced latte. However, trying a great pumpkin ale for the first time made me realize that the great spiced flavors didn't necessarily have to come with a dessert-level drink. Now I am on a quest to rank every pumpkin ale, so I know exactly what to buy every October to let my inner ghoul out.

Below is, in order from best to worst, all of the pumpkin ales I have tried. If you have a suggestion you would like for me to try, please let me know at pullingthreads.info@gmail.com!

1. The Pumpking by Southern Tier Brewing Co. - 10/10

The absolute best. After randomly finding this beer at Costco and trying it with a friend, I actually googled this ale to see what other people were saying about it, to see if they had discovered it— someone on Reddit literally called this “transcendent”. Unfortunately, I wholeheartedly agree. Heavy on the pumpkin and on the spice, while not being too sweet— they got this one absolutely right. This was the beer that started this journey. Having one of these beers makes my week!

1. Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale by Cigar City Brewing - 9/10

This beer tastes EXACTLY like the filling of a pumpkin pie. Heavier on the pumpkin than the Pumpking, which focuses mostly on the spices, but a great beer all around.

1. Imperial Pumpkin Ale by Weyerbacher Brewing Co. - 8/10

This is like off-brand Pumpking. Except that label art! I absolutely love the spooky witchy pumpkin label. The pumpkin definitely looks a little evil, and at 8% ABV, it might turn you a little evil, too. It was a tough choice between 2 and 3 for this one. Easy to drink, a little more mellow on the spices and pumpkin, but it’s definitely there. Would buy it again.

1. Journey to Planet Pumpkin by UFO - 6/10

This is the most inoffensive, middle-of-the-road beer there is. Slightly pumpkin spice, slightly lighter beer. It is a pleasant, sort of unremarkable beer. Like a roommate you never see, but they always do their own chores. You have no choice but to like it a little.

1. Jack– O by Samuel Adams - 5/10

This is just a beer. Which is fine! But the pumpkin and the spice aren't there. I would much rather get a regular beer that’s SUPPOSED TO BE a regular beer. It’s not bad its just… also not good.

1. Pumpkinhead by Shipyard – 0/10

I genuinely think this beer was brewed as a bit. It tastes like someone made a beautiful pumpkin pie, sliced and served it, gave a slice to each of their beloved friends, then when their friends were finished they took the empty dishes and put them in the sink, ran water over those dishes, and bottled that dishwater. Absolutely horrifying to drink on every level. You’re better off simultaneously drinking a miller high life and sniffing a spice bottle of nutmeg.

The list to try so far (thank you for your recommendations!):
The Greater Pumpkin - Heavy Seas
Pumpkin Ale - Aleworks
Pumpkin Patch Ale - Rogue
Baked pumpkin Ale - Lancaster Brewing
Smashed Pumpkin - Shipyard Brewing
Steven’s Point Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale