TOTALLY REVIVING THIS THREAD
So by now most of the fall seasonal brews are out, and I've had a chance to try a few new beers recently.
First up: Southern Tier Pumking Ale
I had this on tap at a local bar. Every single thing I've read about this beer says it's among the best pumkin ales around, but I was actually really disappointed. It's high abv (~9% iirc) was right in your face as soon as you took a sip. The immediate taste is strong pumpkin, followed by your usual pie spices. The flavor profile was very short, but I at least enjoyed the lingering aftertaste. I may have just had a bad batch, because the beer wasn't creamy at all like it should have been, just really boozy with prickly carbonation that didn't mesh well with the back end flavors. I'll have to try this one again at a different place I think.
Next: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout (THE BLACKER THE BEER, THE BETTER IT IS)
Whoa buddy, this thing was as viscous as a milk shake.. That's an exaggeration, but it was thick as hell. No way could I drink more than one of these in a sitting. Got this one on tap at a local barbeque joint. It's a very pretty looking beer, I sat and stared at it for like a minute, even took a picture. Anyway, I should have gotten this after my meal, it's an excellent dessert beer. Very strong coffee taste that builds up to a bitter point and ends with a nice dark chocolate. This would go excellently with any kind of creamy dessert, ice cream for example. Its high abv is masked perfectly. If you like stouts, don't miss out on this one if you have a chance to try it.
So those are the two notable beers I tried last weekend. This weekend in my town of Urbana, IL there is a beer and chili festival featuring ~150 craft brews and imports. Hopefully I'll have some updates.
To the other beer drinkers on smogon, have you tried anything good recently? Any good fall brews available in your towns? I'm looking for more pumpkin ales to try. Also, has anyone tried the Sam Adams fall seasonal sampler pack? I've been meaning to pick it up, but my local grocery store seems to be sold out at the moment. Have any of you Lite/Corona/Keystone/etc drinkers out there seen the light of good beer? If you're a sinner and need redemption, I have several suggestions to start you on the path of true light.