Ballast Point Pumpkin Down

Beer Name: Pumpkin Down
Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Co. (San Diego, CA)
ABV: 5.8%
How sold: Six-packs (12 oz. bottles)
Where bought: Belmont Station (Portland, OR)
Price: $1.99 for 12 oz. single

Ballast Point Date Stamp: PD 08 15215 (8th batch of Pumpkin Down, made on the 215th day of 2015)
Date Purchased: August 29, 2015
Date Opened/Drank: August 30, 2015
IBUs: 22
When brewed? Seasonal beer.

Where distributed: Ballast Point distributes to several states. They also ship online within California.

Food Pairings: Ballast Point suggests Truffle Risotto with Butternut Squash; Sage Gnocchi; or Jalapeno Cornbread. The first two sound too gourmet and fancy for me to make at home.

What's on the Website: "A pumpkin ale that bucks the trend. Some might think we're out of our gourd for making a pumpkin ale, but our Pumpkin Down is not like the others. The caramel and toffee maltiness of our Piper Down Scottish ale is the perfect backdrop for a boatload of roasted pumpkin. Just before bottling, we add a subtle amount of spice to complement, but not overwhelm, the earthy flavor. It was a smash at the brewery, and we think you'll agree." Click here!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured dark brown with reddish hue. Sudsy on top and tiny bubbles. 4.25/5

Smell (25%): Immediate hit of pumpkin and spices (allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger). 4.25/5

Taste (40%): The roasted pumpkin and spices hit from the start, yet wonderfully balance with the Scottish ale. The malty/toffee nature really makes it a great fit for fall. 4/5

Mouthfeel (10%): More of a medium-light body, some carbonation. 4/5

Overall (20%): An excellent pumpkin beer. All-around solid, from the appearance to the smell, to the flavor. It's also more of a session pumpkin beer than Dogfish Head's version (5.8% vs. 7.0%) that brings more fall flavors to the table. 4.25/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.125/5