30. Harpoon UFO Pumpkin

Continuing my reviews of the great fall beers this one was a good find. Being a pumpkin beer I was expecting the strong spicy flavor of the Shipyard Pumpkinhead and I could not have been more wrong. This is an unfiltered beer, as many of the Harpoon brews are, with only a hint of pumpkin flavor. Unlike the Sebago Brewing Hefeweizen this beer does have the cloudy look of an unfiltered beer. Harpoon brews quality beer and their fall offering met my expectation. 
Pros: Great fall color, pumpkin flavoring without being overwhelming. 
Cons: 
Alcohol Content: 5.9% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 20
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Harpoon Brewery
Brewers Description: Imagine a pumpkin vine wound its way in a field of barley, and a brewer harvested it all to make a beer. Add Northwestern hops and a blend of spices, and you've got UFO Pumpkin. The malt combination provides a smooth body and slightly sweet flavor, which balances perfectly with the earthy notes derived from the pure pumpkin. And like all of our UFO beers, UFO Pumpkin is unfiltered so all the wonderful flavors are right there in your glass. Cheers!

Appearance:	amber and orange with a slight haze
Aroma:	malty with hints of pumpkin and spice
Mouth feel:	slightly sweet and smooth
Taste:	a solid malt backbone highlighting German, Vienna and Munich malts with a nice dose of pumpkin and spice - reminiscent of pumpkin pie
Finish:	easy drinking with a lingering pumpkin aftertaste on the back of the tongue

29. Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier

This has to be one of the most interesting beers I have tasted in quite some time. It is a new flavor for Samuel Adams in 2011 and I hope they keep it around for future year. I was not sure what to expect with the name Bonfire Rauchbier but the description Sam Adams has on it's website is right on (see below). A dark beer with a nice tan head, definitely one of the best beers for color and aroma. The taste is hard to describe but unlike any other beer, smoky flavor with a slight sweetness at the end.

Food pairings recommended by Samuel Adams are for any BBQ meat and I would certainly agree with that.  If you like different types of beer certainly give this one a try.

Pros: Dark color, Great aroma and original taste. 

Cons:  Can only be purchased in a 12 pack with 5 other flavors. Would love to try this beer on draft somewhere. 

Alcohol Content: 5.7%
Calories: 213
IBU (Bitterness): 22
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams

Brewers Description: Bold, smoky character with a smooth malty finish.

The first thing one notices about a Samuel Adams® Bonfire Rauchbier is the deep smoky flavor which is balanced by a blend of malts that provide hints of caramel & toffee sweetness.

28. Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

I was not sure what to expect with this beer as it is a wheat beer which I usually like but flavored with cherries just seemed a bit odd. Sam Adams website says this beer would go well with a ham and I bet it would. I enjoyed it after supper by itself and overall it was not a bad beer. The cherry flavoring was obvious while drinking the beer but did not leave a bad aftertaste. It also had a very obvious cherry aroma which was pleasing. Might have to try to Sam Adams recommendations and try another with a nice ham. 


The fridge is now empty and ready for the fall flavors. Will stock up with some new brews tomorrow and should be adding more reviews throughout the week. 

Pros:  Great aroma and nice smooth taste

Cons: Odd combination of cherries and beer 

Alcohol Content: 5.3 ABV

Calories: 176

IBU (Bitterness): 23
My Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams

Brewers Description: Ale brewed with cherries. Crisp and fruity with a hint of honey.

Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat^® follows the centuries old American tradition of brewing beer with native ingredients, in this case Michigan cherries. The sweet, fruitiness of the cherries is balanced against the crisp, cereal note from the malted wheat and the subtle citrus flavor from the Noble hops.  A touch of honey is also added for sweetness.  The end result is a sweet, refreshing beer that is light on the palate but long on complexity.

Beer Exchange

I am looking for some people in other parts of the country to exchange some local beer. Here is what I am thinking but I am open to other ideas.

There are many great craft brewers in Maine and New Hampshire and I can purchase and ship a variety or 6-pack of whatever you would like and you do the same. Priority Mail flat rate boxes are $10.95 or $14.95 depending on the size and you should be able to ship 4-6 beers per package. No exchange of money - you send me beer and I send you beer. Could be a great way for you to experience some of the quality beer from the Northeast and a way for me to sample some beer from other parts of the country.

Here are just a few of the local brewers websites. If there is anything that interests you let me know.

Gearys – http://gearybrewing.com/pages/home.php
Grittys – http://www.grittys.com/beers_home.php
OPB – http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/locations.asp
Sea Dog – http://www.seadogbrewing.com/seadogbrews.php
Allegash - http://www.allagash.com/beer/
Baxter – http://www.baxterbrewing.com/
Sebago Brewing - http://www.sebagobrewing.com/brews.php
Kennebec River - http://www.northernoutdoors.com/
Shipyard - http://www.shipyard.com/taste/

Below is a good video on shipping beer, keep in mind the US Postal Service does not allow you to ship beer or wine so you must describe the package as something other than beer / wine. In the video he tells the Post Office he is shipping snow globes so they know it is fragile and liquid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5HXqiIJxwE

If you are interested leave your email address in comments here and I will send you a message.

27. Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale (draft)

This one is tough to review for me as it is certainly not a traditional beer. The aroma on this one is incredible and prepares you well for the taste to come. The beer has a substantial spice flavor while drinking but finishes clean and crisp. Best as an after meal beverage as the taste can be overpowering. This is one of the few Shipyard brews that I look forward to. I had this at TGIFridays again in Auburn. 
Pros: Great aroma, color and very flavorful
Cons: Flavor can be too much at times
Alcohol Content: 4.9% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 15.5
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Shipyard Brewing
Brewers Description: Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale is a crisp refreshing wheat ale with delightful aromatics and subtle spiced flavor. 
Food Pairings: Lamb, Turkey, BLT, Pumpkin Pie

26. Samuel Adams Octoberfest (draft)

I know I already reviewed this beer but that was from a bottle and as I mentioned in my prior post draft beer is simply better. Had this beer with a nice burger at TGIFriday's last night and enjoyed every sip (in fact I helped to finish my wife's beer too). Perfect fall beer and great with hearty meals. 
Pros: Great red color, many different flavors

Cons:  Seasonal - wish I could get it year round

Alcohol Content: 5.3%
Calories:183
IBU (Bitterness): 25
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description: Brewed with five varieties of malted barley for a big, rich flavor.The first thing you notice when pouring a glass of this seasonal beer is the color. Samuel Adams® Octoberfest has a rich, deep reddish amber hue which itself is reflective of the season. Samuel Adams Octoberfest masterfully blends together five roasts of malt to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The malt is complimented by the elegant bitterness imparted by the Bavarian Noble hops. Samuel Adams Octoberfest provides a wonderful transition from the lighter beers of summer to the heartier brews of winter..

25. Sebago Brewing Boathouse Brown

Draft beer is simply better than bottled beer so it is no surprise that my highest ratings will go to those enjoyed straight from the keg or cask. I had this beer after a great round of golf at Belgrade Lakes Golf Course in Belgrade, Maine. The beer was better than the round of golf as that is one difficult course. Very dark but surprisingly easy to drink. Sebago's website says it would pair well with grilled meat or steamed mussels and I would have to agree. This beer had just a hint of sweetness to it but no aftertaste. Some people may avoid this beer due to the dark color but don't let it fool you it is easy to drink unlike some dark beer.

Pros: Smooth, great color and flavorful
Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 4.8% ABV

Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 24
Rating:  

Brewers Website: Sebago Brewing

Brewers Description: Boathouse Brown Ale is an easy drinking beer.  Peering through the glass you will find a deep mahogany color and luscious tan head.  The sweetness of the malt in our Brown Ale is offset by just enough kick from the hops.  Boathouse Brown Ale will be your "everyday" beer.  Pop the cap, pour it off and enjoy the ride! 

Appearance: Deep mahogany color and luscious tan head
Flavor: The sweetness of the malt in our Brown Ale is offset by just enough kick from the hops.

Hops: Boathouse Brown Ale is a bite bolder then your average Brown Ale. We use ample amounts of Cascade and Mt. Hood hops to help balance the sweetness of the malt. This creates a very thirst quenching brown ale.  Bold enough for your palate yet low enough in alcohol for session drinking.

Malts: We use loads of rich caramel malt and black patent malt to give our brown ale it’s deep mahogany color and caramel tones.  The black malt helps create dry chocolate notes that balance well with the hops.