Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) Samuel Adams Fat Jack Spice/Herb/Vegetable at 8.5% ABV ($5.90 at NLC Kelsey Drive, 650ml, no bottle date or best before)
Pours deep amber with one fat finger of light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing (4/5) Nose is nutmeg, pumpkin, toffee, maybe some dark fruit, just a hint of smoke. (7/10) Taste is moderately strong sweet, moderately strong bitter. (7/10) Full body, moderate to low carbonation, somewhat syrupy, mild bitter finish. (4/5)
A good way to do pumpkin – a winter warmer style that’s almost barleywine in nature. It’s quite sweet, and I’m not exactly sure why that doesn’t play out as cloying – I guess it’s the heavy spices, lots of pumpkin, and a distinct alcohol warming, built on a thick, syrupy caramel. Subtle? Nope. Does it work? Yep. In fact, given the high ABV, utter absence of hop character, and the explicit suggestion on the bottle, I think I might pick up one or two more for long-term cellaring. (14/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
