Alt Platz Alt Kürbis Pumpkin Ale

Terrible beer, with a very strong phenolic character, not due to cloves, but due to off-flavors from wild yeast, which the brewer tried to mask by putting a heavy coating of cinnamon and sugar on the rim of the glass. The phenols come through in both the aroma and the flavor, which was also the case in other AP beers. The beer was cloudy, with a sporadic head. Cloudiness bears out the infection. Two of us split ~a 10 oz pour, and we could not finish it. On top of that, we were charged $12 for this minuscule pour. The claim is that this price is due to the high alcohol level, which is EXTREMELY unlikely. Based on palate considerations, it is likely less than 10%, this is just a poorly made beer that the brewer is making excuses for.

On tap at Alt Platz. 6 oz glass, part of the edge dipped in powdered sugar and spices. Murky chestnut brown with a beige ring of froth. First waft is gingerbread, thence on a wonderful amalgam of Christmas and pumpkin spice luring but not revealing the complete picture. Rich and smooth, mild carb. Wonderful to sip and savor. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, clove, mace and nutmeg are prominent. Hints of chipotle? A deft spice balance reminiscent of Pannepot. But this is a pumpkin beer and rightly so. Don’t think pie think baked pumpkin, earthy and fleshy, and thats what really makes this beer shine. An American classic.

Virginia Beer Fest 2007. Hazy dark amber body with a small tan head. Sweet pumpkin and heavy spice aroma. Sweet caramel, spice and pumpkin flavor.

I recalled this being listed as 18% ABV and now I see someone has changed it to 7.5% ABV. (NOTE: I now see where and why it was changed. I’m not sure why it lists the 7.5 % ABV on the website and why he told us that it was 16.5% in person unless there are two versions. I’ll try to confirm. UPDATE Got an email response from Tom. This batch was aged 8 months and came out to 16.5%. However, the next batch may not be. He will start brewing in 6 weeks and in 4-5 months, it will be ready and probably a different ABV. We can change it then). This was on at the Virginia Beer Festival yesterday (5-19-07) and the brewer, Tom, confirmed that this was actually 16.5% ABV in front myself, maniac and Cameron from Coastal Wine Connection. So I will be changing it after this review. Came out a thick muddy orange-rust color. Nose was powerful. Lots of spices, pumpkin pie, soft liquor and sweet malts. Maybe candied yams with marshmellows on them as well. Taste is bigger spice but it’s not overdone. Some soft alcohol, candy, sticky sugars and pumpkin pie. Body is medium-full to full. Soft carbonation. Very sticky but no warmth I could detect. Ends with more spices and pumkin pie with sticky sweet candyish notes. This went very quick once it was known to be out and the lines were large. Very well done pumpkin beer!

On tap at Alt Platz served in 6oz glasses. Dark dark amber in color with a thick beige head. Aroma was full of spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, etc) everything you’d expect in pumpkin pie and lots of pumpkin aroma. Flavor did not disappoint, it was like drinking liquid pumpkin pie. This was by far the best pumpkin beer I’ve had.