Recommended Equipment

High Gravity Pumpkin Ale Recipe Kit
Large Muslin Bag
6 Gallon Glass Carboy

Pumpkin Beer Recipe

We love the Fall and since we're in the heart of New England we have colorful foliage and an abundance of freshly harvested pumpkins. The orange meat of this famous gourd is the perfect addition to a well-brewed ale.

Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were brewing pumpkin ales before the American colonies became states. The story goes that it was a cocktail consisting of beer, liquor, cream, eggs, and pumpkin. This wasn't to create a tasty holiday drink, but rather a frugal substitution for English-exported barley and hops. Our recipe leaves the cream, eggs, and liquor out of it, but we think this was for the better.

When we set out to make the perfect high gravity pumpkin ale, we knew it would involve some creative methods. Because pumpkin is relatively light in flavor, it can be difficult to master its use. Some commercial breweries have relied on simple ales and dumped tons of spice into it. This results in a thin beer that lacks depth and character.

Keeping in mind we were dealing with a high gravity beer, there was such opportunity to introduce intricate specialty malt flavors that would keep this a true craft brew. We meticulously selected a special combination that would compliment, rather than take a backstage to, our pumpkin and spice introductions. This special blend is a secret! As for hops, they really don't play a very large role for this one, as it wouldn't take much to overpower it.

So how do we deal with the pumpkin? After trial and error, it required two significant changes to a typical pumpkin ale recipe. First, We knew we would need LOTS of pumpkin so it would actually take center stage. How much more? Roughly FOUR TIMES more. Keep in mind, more than ever, that you must 'watch your wort'. When you put this much pumpkin puree into the pot, it's going to get angry and want to throw it all over your kitchen. This is mostly due to the fact that there are very little in the way of hop additions, which normally would keep the foam down. Just keep a good watch over it and lower the temperature if it starts to foam and you'll be fine.

But that only solved half the problem. The second was our fermentation method. We broke the rules and achieved some magnificent results. The best beer trial resulted from a single stage fermentation that was left for 3 to 4 weeks. What will happen is that your beer will ferment as usual, then sediment will begin to settle. This covers the dead yeast and protects the beer while the solids drop on top. Flavor still continues to be infused into the beer during the remaining weeks allowing it to develop fully.

Pick up our recipe box and you'll find this pumpkin champion to have great pumpkin flavor, contains the perfect amount of spice but interestingly enough, may have the best mouth feel of anything you've brewed before.