Cape Ann Brewing Company Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout

Most pumpkin flavored beers are ales so when I saw a Pumpkin Stout I had no choice but to buy it. The label is very "Fally", but I was disappointed that the fisherman on it wasn't old with a huge grey beard. Definitely a missed marketing opportunity.

As for the beer itself, it poured black with a slight tan head that dissipated rather quickly. The smell was malty and sweet with some spices and slight pumpkin in there, but nothing crazy. As I've discovered over the past few weeks with pumpkin beers, if the smell doesn't blow you away, neither will the taste. In this case, my theory holds true again. This stout wasn't bad, but it only had slight pumpkin and spice tastes that left me wanting more. The slight nodes of pumpkin, vanilla and other spices were enjoyable, but needed to be doubled or tripled. From a stout perspective, the beer was a little too thin and carbonated for my liking, but overall very well balanced and easy to drink. I also really enjoyed the expresso/chocolate aftertaste. However, being judged as a pumpkin beer it disappoints slightly for not having enough pumpkin and spice flavors in it.

If you're a stout lover I'd try it because pumpkin stouts are hard to find, but its not going to be a contender for Top B2B Pumpkin Beer.