Read the previous reviews in part 1, part 2, and part 3.

Fermentation Without Representation, Epic Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT

ComputerNerd: This is a collaboration beer, Epic paired with a company called DC Brau out of Washington DC, hence the name of the brew. This collaboration has gone through several batches, and we’ve tasted a few of them. The later ones are more refined, and tend to smell and taste more strongly of pumpkin. As an imperial porter, this beer would stand just fine on its own, the addition of the pumpkin has a lesser impact on the aroma, but a stronger influence on the taste.
Scientist: In a single word, lovely. This beer has a great dark color with a cream colored head. As most porters it has a low level of carbonation. This beer has strong coffee, chocolate, and toffee flavors topped off with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin. As an imperial porter, it packs a bit of a punch, but you can’t taste the alcohol. This beer is what I’ve always wished a pumpkin spice latte would taste like.

Fat Jack Double Pumpkin, Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), Boston, MA

ComputerNerd: I have to admit that in my snobbiness, I didn’t think that Sam Adams made beers this good anymore, and I kept passing this one up. What a mistake! This was a truly fantastic brew. Not overly sweet, less so than I usually look for in a pumpkin beer, but a solid, balanced taste.
Scientist: I rarely admit that I’m mistaken (if you don’t believe me ask ComputerNerd), but this is one time I will. I thought this beer would be crap, like most of what’s come out of Samuel Adams recently. I didn’t think Samuel Adams had it in them anymore. This beer has a great flavor. Similar to a strong ale with some burnt caramel notes, but with plenty of pumpkin flavor and just enough spice to make it all pop. On a side note, if you end up with the choice of on draft or bottled pick the bottle. Fat Jack packs a lot more flavor when poured from the bottle.

Conclusion:

All-in-all, this was a good year for ONK’s favorite orange squash, at least beer-wise. Some beers made return trips to the podium, some newbies joined the club, and a few veterans turned in disappointing performances. Sadly, we were able to review only a small number of brews relative to the seemingly innumerable offerings now on the market. What have you been drinking? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Did we miss a diamond in the rough? Share your experience below in the comments!