Try?
OK, I know I am going to get beat up about this one by all the beer geeks out there. It seems that Shock Top beers automatically have a stigma attached because they’re brewed by Anheuser-Busch Inbev. Some don’t like the fact that they’re a megabrewer. Others have a problem with AB’s decision to sell; out to a global conglomerate.
Me? If the beer is good, then I’m going to say as much. And so it is with Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat. I have a great fondness for pumpkin beers, and generally will try any that I come across. I did like this one, though I have not been so enamored of other Shock Top beers (Shock Top Wheat IPA coming immediately to mind).
I am a firm believer in giving the big brewers the benefit of the doubt, though. Having been in on the early days of the craft brewing revolution, I can tell you there was resentment then towards the megabrewers for replacing choice with flavorless brews. That persists today, but if they mend their ways and give us better beer, I’m willing to give it a shot.
Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat has been on the market for a few years now. The beer is supposed to be a “Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with pumpkin and spices”, but to me it tastes a lot like your average pumpkin beer. Maybe a bit wheatier. It has an alcohol content of 5.2% by volume, and is attractively priced at $6.99 a six-pack.
Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat pours to a dark orange amber color with a prodigious but rather short-lived head formation and a promising nose of pumpkins and spice. Taking a sip, the beer has a decent body up front with chewy caramel and very good meaty pumpkin flavor followed by lots of spice: cinnamon, clove and nutmeg all come through and serve to dry the beer in the finish. Perhaps some of the wheat tartness comes through at the finish as well; at any rate the crackery wheat serves as the crust in this slice of pumpkin pie in a glass.
I find this one quite tasty and recommend it. It has the character of a tasty pumpkin ale and gets extra credit for the price, too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
