Spooky is an "Un-spiced Imperial Pumpkin Ale with Cocoa Nibs aged in charred American White Oak Rye (Claremont Springs) and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. Dominant barrel flavors of vanilla and oak/coconut. Over 200 pounds of puréed pumpkin in every batch"(Direct description from site). I tasted the pumpkin and the bourbon flavors right away. They complimented each other wonderfully. . I shared this with a friend of mine, because at 8.2% ABV, I was not going to drink it all myself. He is not a pumpkin beer fan but admitted that it was really good and wanted to know if I had another bottle. I did not. I think this would be a good choice for someone that does not like the "spices" that are added to pumpkin beer, but wants something with a lot of flavor and especially if they like the barrel aged beers. I will be sure to grab another bottle or two and possibly let one of them age until next fall.
Coming soon I picked up some of Alewerks Pumpkin Ale, Hardywood's Rum Pumpkin and Epic Brewing and DC Brau's collaboration Fermentation without Representation an imperial pumpkin porter. So stay tuned for these reviews.
Remember to drink up and eat well!
