Next up on our pumpkin ale journey is the Brasserie McAuslan St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.
This is "the Great St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale," brewed with pumpkin and spices. Interestingly, it is the only foreign pumpkin beer we found. It is 5% ABV.
Overall average rating: 8.0/10
The appearance is a red, caramelly translucent color. The aroma gives off scents of pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Shawn notices two different sweeter smells, perhaps a touch of molasses and/or brown sugar, maybe even vanilla. The taste is dark, caramelly, and sweet with a front tongue bite, and a smooth nutmeg/clove finish. We think it is a dessert pumpkin ale as it has a somewhat smoky burnt sugar flavor like a brûlée.
Shawn- This is a very fun take on a pumpkin ale; it doesn't follow a strict "this is what it should be" kind of recipe. It is nice also to see a different approach to a pumpkin ale that uses the same ingredients as the others, 8/10.
Angela- This is a very, very good, drinkable pumpkin ale that is sweet without being overpowering, 8/10.
Chris- This has strong poignant flavors; the clove flavor, for example, is long-lasting. It could be paired with a heavily flavored dessert, more savory than sweet, 8/10.
Shawn and Chris agree that this would be worth trying with a warm slice of pecan pie topped with Madagascar vanilla ice cream. I'm up for trying that - we'll keep you posted! :)
Turn on the hockey and crank up the Bryan Adams - it's Canada Week!!
Beer #1 from up north is Brasserie McAuslan St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, purchased at Vintage Estates.
This Bière Noire à l'avoine (oatmeal stout) has a Griffin on the label, and it is brewed from 40% dark malts and roasted barley. In 1994, this beer received the second highest rating at the World Beer Championship. It is made in Quebec and is 5% ABV.
Overall average rating: 7.3/10
This is an opaque, black beer with a thick, long-lasting caramel head (so thick a bottle cap floats on it!). The longevity of the head is due in part to the oatmeal. The aroma gives essences of oatmeal, dark chocolate, malt, and coffee. It tastes like it smells, particularly the rich matls and dark chocolate. There is a woody taste, perhaps birch, with a front of the tongue bite and back of the tongue linger.
Shawn- This beer is right up my alley - dark, rich, malty. I think perhaps it could use a touch of vanilla, 8/10.
Angela- I was incredibly excited by the appearance and smell of this beer. I remarked how "dark and delish" it look as it was poured. It is definitely a beer I will drink again, 7.5/10.
Chris- I enjoy that it tastes like it smells, particularly the coffee. This would be great to drink in the late fall or early winter when it is cold outside, 6.5/10.
