Every year, the pumpkin patch seems to get a little bigger as more and more breweries release pumpkin beers. Pumpkin beer may well now be the largest seasonal variety going in America; certainly, pumpkin ales are a style firmly founded in American tradition.
The pumpkin ale that I’m drinking tonight, Starr Hill Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter, is not new this year, though it is new for me. I picked up a six-pack earlier in September and enjoyed a mug at Taco Mac here in Canton. According to Starr Hill’s website, however, Boxcarr was first released in 2011.
The Starr Hill website describes the beer as follows:
Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter is a traditional English-style Brown Porter with pumpkin added to the mash. Light spicing allows the subtle flavors of pumpkin and roasty porter to shine through.
Ingredients are listed as follows:
Malted Barley: Two Row, Caramel & Chocolate
Kettle Hops: East Kent Goldings
Yeast: Ale Yeast
Starr Hill Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter has an alcohol content of 4.7% by volume with 20 IBUs. I paid $8.99 for a six-pack and $6 for a draft mug at Taco Mac. My bottle says it was packaged on 7/28/14 on the neck label.
Starr Hill Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter pours to a dark brownish color laced with ruby highlights when held to the light with a thick creamy tan head and a very luscious brown sugar and cinnamon nose. Taking a sip, the beer is full and rich in mouthfeel and packed with meaty, stringy pumpkin flavor and spice: I’m getting very dry nutmeg and hot-ball cinnamon on a dark chocolaty, cookieish malt palate. In the finish, the beer is balanced perfectly with dry spice and roasted malt. Did they say this is lightly spiced? I think they’re having fun with us.
Absolutely delicious and a bargain at the price.
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