Good Gourd

Yet another intriguing beer from the folks at Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing, Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale is a seasonal special release – chock full of earthy pumpkin, enticing spices, and soothing alcohol warmth. Aromas of fresh baked pumpkin pie and French vanilla abound, all supported by lush notes of sticky caramel and cinnamon buns. Lee was blown away by the myriad aromas whipping around this beer, picking out an underlying richness to the profusion of vanilla, cassia, allspice, and white pepper. He likened it to “a new prototype ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s.” Quite hazy and colored a deep orangey/copper, Good Gourd displayed a prodigious, meringue-like tan head. It just looks like an “Imperial” beer as it rests in the glass. Jammed with seductively fragrant spices, the flavors conjure images of tropical rain forests and exotic lands. The overall flavor struck Tom as “reminiscent of savory pumpkin pudding,” and he had high praise for the thick, chewy mouthfeel with hints of vanilla and butterscotch. Tim, however, found the allspice a bit overpowering, but enthused over the beer’s “amazingly creamy, custard-like” body and richly sweet caramel malt. Both Tim and Tom agreed that the beer would have benefited from just a bit more actual pumpkin character to offset the pumpkin pie spices. An almost indecently rich, luxuriantly spiced beer, Good Gourd will satisfy any beer drinker’s sweet tooth and makes an ideal dessert.