Happy National Stout Day!

So today I learned that it’s National Stout Day! I know because the internet told me so. But anyway, here are some local Jersey craft stouts you can check out if you’re celebrating. In no particular order:

1. ‘Port Omna’ by Kane Brewing Company

I’m not sure this is still available, but I remember it from when it was on tap at Passion Vines. Lots of toasty chocolate and coffee flavors. A really good full-bodied stout if you can find it anywhere. I believe they also did some different barrel-aged versions of it, but I missed those.

2. ‘New Brighton Coffee Stout’ by Tuckahoe Brewing

This one might also be tough to find but there should be some bottles around. I love a good coffee stout and this one was great. The guys at Tuckahoe used coffee beans from Harry and Beans Coffee who operate next door to the brewery, and proceeds from this beer go to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine. Made as a tribute to Surfers Supplies founder George Gerlach, it’s a solid beer for a good cause in memory of a local legend, and I can’t ask for more than that!

3. River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout

This is an awesome beer, really dark in color but lighter in taste than I first expected. Really smooth and a little sweet, with a great head and creamy mouthfeel. Another great beer from the Hippo brewers up in Ewing.

4. ‘Carton of Milk’ by Carton Brewing Co.

Another New Jersey milk stout, this one is a bit lighter and more session-able. It’s got a bunch of warm roasted flavors, and more hops than I expected, which made it a little more balanced and adds to its “session-ability”. This is another one we had on tap a couple times at PV so I’m guessing it might be tough to find.

A pint of Carton of Milk, courtesy of cartonbrewing.com

Coming soon: Brew Review Round 2

Just a quick update: I’m currently editing the next round of beer review videos. The first one should be going up Friday or Saturday evening so keep an eye out. We tasted a bottle aged Kane Malus and River Horse Hop-A-Lot-Amus.

So here’s a couple screenshots from the footage, which came out pretty good. Better than last time I think, which is in part why I want to spend a lot of time editing.

River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern Imperial Pumpkin Ale

For my first beer review I’m keeping it seasonal with a big Imperial Pumpkin Ale from River Horse Brewing Company in Lambertville, NJ. As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of pumpkin beers, so I had high expectations for Hipp-O-Lantern, and for the most part it didn’t disappoint.

River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern Imperial Ale

As soon as I opened it, a wave of pumpkin aroma came rushing out with the crisp breeze rolling through my windows on this the first night of October. I hadn’t even poured it and this beer already made a great first impression.

At the advice of Passion Vines beer expert Aaron Daretta, I let it sit for a few minutes to come up to a good temperature for tasting. “Let it warm up a bit, 48 or 50 degrees, any colder is going to hide some of the flavor.”

Almost ready to taste

This gave me ample time to enjoy the big pumpkin and spice scents before I got down to tasting. Hipp-O-Lantern definitely falls into the “pumpkin spice” category as opposed to the “sweet pumpkin pie” beers. In addition to the pumpkin, there was some nutmeg and maybe a little cinnamon in there.

This beer pours well, with a slight light tan head, deep amber color and just a little cloudiness throughout. Less head and lacing than I expected but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Now that it had come up in temperature a little, it was time to taste. Hipp-O-Lantern starts with smooth and subdued flavors of pumpkin and a hint of molasses, followed by a big taste of hops. I’m not a huge hop head, but it wasn’t so bitter that it overwhelmed the pumpkin. It finishes with lots of spice flavors — clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon — that linger on the palate for a while after.

I would’ve expected a fuller body from the color and smell of this beer, but it had a good amount of carbonation to go with the lighter texture. I had mine with wings and Monday Night Football, and it was surprisingly refreshing.

Hipp-O-Lantern clocks in at 8.1% abv, but unlike some higher alcohol beers it wasn’t obvious. The big abv is covered well by the even bigger flavors.

All told, Hipp-O-Lantern is a great beer that holds up not only as a pumpkin brew, but as an imperial ale as well. Some pumpkin beers taste like they just added pumpkin flavoring to it, but River Horse leaves no doubt that this is a solid beer. The only real downside for me was that I would’ve liked a little more pumpkin in there, but that’s by no means a deal breaker. The four pack I bought was around $16, a fair enough price considering what you’re getting. Whether you’re a fan of big flavorful ales looking to try a pumpkin seasonal, or already a pumpkin fan like me, I think you’ll like this one. Try it and let me know!

Update: Also pairs well with the Cowboys losing  by 24 in the fourth!