Next on the pumpkin beer train review is the Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale. Now let me start by saying this is the first beer from Whole Hog I have tried, we don’t get a lot of their catalog out here. Looking at their site it seems this particular Pumpkin Ale is a multi time award winner. You can see more on their website here. So lets see if this one is worth all the hype.
“Of all the gold medal-winning pumpkin ales, one factor sets Whole Hog apart: spice. Pumpkin pie spices, natural cinnamon, nutmeg, and real pumpkin are perfectly balanced in this sweet, fully enveloping Pumpkin Ale. “
Appearance: This is a simple label with the orange and white tones that you would expect from a pumpkin beer. Bordered by a real photo of pumpkins, filtered out to blend with the bottle give this a nice touch of realism. However I should say that this bottle does not stand out on the shelf. Once poured you get a cloudy and dark amber beer with very little lacing or head. You may even see a little bit of sediment on the bottom.
Aroma: The first thing that sticks out for this beer is the cinnamon and spice. I noticed almost no sweetness or vanilla in this aroma.
Taste: The flavor is both familiar and new at the same time. I have had many pumpkin beers, but this one really did nail the spice ratio. The cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin flavor all play off of each other and it finishes with a subtle sweetness. Nothing seems artificial in this one and that makes a huge difference.
Experience: The first sip starts as almost creamy with a sweet lacing that lasts in the mouth. As you continue to drink you notice that the beer lacks a full body and is semi light. This is surprising to me as the flavor is so robust. Still with the way this beer feels I could see myself going through many bottles in one sitting.
Game Pairing: When it comes to game pairing I decided to go with Resident Evil 7. This game seems simple on the surface, you are being chased around a house by a deranged family. But soon you will discover how deep the game is and the true genius behind its design. Similar to this beer, RE7 manages to bring gamers something new and familiar at the same time. So grab a six pack, turn off the lights and enjoy these two together.
