This next chapter in my beer journal has me venturing into the world of pumpkin ales. For this particular entry, I selected a beer that I had to drink, if not for the name alone. Harpoon’s Unfiltered Offerings, cleverly referred to as UFO, is available in stores and on tap. Their unfiltered pumpkin ale sounded too good to pass up. I become a fan of pumpkin ale a few seasons ago, and I’m looking forward to this craft beer from Boston. As I pour the UFO from the bottle to my tasting glass it’s apparent that they weren’t joking when they said it was unfiltered. This cloudy pumpkin brew has a vibrant copper color and although I can’t actually see through the ale, through the thin white head I smell a distinct and familiar aroma. The smell makes me feel nostalgic for the holidays. It smells exactly like pumpkin pie, and a combination of memories and excitement fills my mind as I prepare to drink this tasty looking (and smelling) beer.
UFO Pumpkin Ale is lightly bodied and smooth with light carbonation that makes this craft beer extremely easy to drink. As though that wasn't enough, it even tastes like pumpkin pie! I can imagine the mad scientist over at Harpoon who was able to take the pure essence of pumpkin pie and fuse its tasty qualities to hearty ale. I can imagine everyone in the company clapping and praising him for such an accomplishment. The back end of the beer has an aftertaste that seems to transition carefully between the pumpkin flavor and the spice flavor before finishing in a crispy spicy finale.
If you like a good, unfiltered craft beer and have an affinity for pumpkin pie, then this is a must-have for the refrigerator during the harvest season. Harpoon has really done well with this beer, and I think it’s a good choice for introducing newcomers to seasonal or unfiltered beers. I’ve been looking for a pumpkin-heavy beer, and this UFO can abduct me anytime.
Written by Sean Villareal
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Cold beers will always be available in the beer bottles or cans provided by the manufacturers, but why limit yourself to the container provided by the brewery when there are so many beautiful, functional and alternative glasses you can pour your beer into? If this doesn’t convince you, then I am glad to tell you that the type of glass your beer is in can optimize its flavor. Many bars have different glasses in stock, which are available for you upon request. With that in mind I’m providing a quick rundown of some of the options you, the reader, can use at home or in the pub to make sure your craft beer is living up to its full potential. Though this may read like a Batman rogues gallery, these are the best glasses a pub, bar, or beer festival can offer.
