Pumpkin In A Barrell

Letting beer hand out in a barrel is nothing new, although with the dearth of beers out today having ‘spent time’ in wooden barrels, you might think it so. Most English Barleywines and old ales are held in the wooden containers. In fact, old ales get their name from the aging process they undergo after brewing, where beers are kept in wood vessels to mature and gain character.
But it wasn’t just the English who were keeping beer in barrels. The Belgian brewers were certainly putting their sour ales into these types of vessels, amongst other styles. And German brewers too were likely keeping some of their stronger beers, possibly Doppelbocks and Altbiers, in wooden containers.
Storage of beer in barrels was once the only method of keeping ale before it was to be drunk. But, these vessels were coated on the inside so to keep the wood flavors away from the brew. In more recent times, brewers have begun ‘barrel-aging’ brewed beer in containers previously holding a variety of liquors, most often bourbon, to import even more exotic flavors to their beer.
Most barrel-aging is saved for the strongest and darkest beers (Russian Imperial Stouts and Old Ales are often aged this way), although other styles can get this treatment. However, a few of the seasonal pumpkin beers have received the aged treatment, and now that pumpkins are actually on the farmer’s stand (weren’t we seeing pumpkin beers back in July? Hmmm …), let’s get to those gourds.
Heavy Seas The Great’er Pumpkin, is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale made “greater” by a spell of bourbon barrel aging. At 9 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) this beer is no session brew. An overwhelming beer to say the least, some bourbon barreled beers almost seem to be a half & half beer and bourbon concoction, and the Great’er Pumpkin is heading in that direction. Think all the pumpkin spices combined with the boozy flavors of bourbon, oak and vanilla. Some pumpkin is in there if you look, but your tongue and taste buds might be too drunk with flavor to find it.
Uinta Brewery’s Crooked Line Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale is, to me, what a high gravity, barrel-aged pumpkin ale should be. Crooked Line, a small batch of beers from Uinta, is not overwhelmingly boozy; the 10.31 percent (it’s almost Halloween) ABV is moderately well hidden in the brew, being aged in oak and not specifically bourbon barrels. This beer is spicy, rich, slightly sweet, and boasting of pumpkin and pie flavors. A fuller mouthfeel only adds to the luxurious drinking aspects of this imperial ale.
And at time of writing, I have been unable to find the impetus for this column, Avery Brewing Co.’s Rumpkin, over 15 percent ABV, this pumpkin ale is aged in fresh rum barrels. Damn, I want this beer! If you find a spare bottle, please send it to your Beer Snob. Enjoy the brews … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.