Guest blog post by Alia Broman

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#4 – Oct 4, 2013: Pumpkin Lager by Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee, WI)

Quiz time!  What is one of the only pumpkin beers that is a LAGER rather than an ALE? Answer: Lakefront’s Pumpkin!

Year of conception: at least since 1997 (it apparently won a tasting merit award)

Color: cloudy, golden orange

ABV: 6.0%

Cost: $9.49 + tax for 6-pack of 12oz bottles

Availability: all liquor stores great and small

Description by Lakefront Brewery: “Using real pumpkin and a proprietary blend of spices … our brewers’ lager this beer for 4 full weeks… A frothy entry leads to an off-dry medium-to-full body of intense cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and candied yam flavor on a nutty wheat toast palate. Finishes with a drier spice and light toffee fade. Caramel and Munich malts reinforce this beer’s mouthfeel and lend to the malty sweetness.”

A pleasant aroma of Midwest spices greets your nostrils as your mouth enjoys the full, rich taste of this Fall lager. The cinnamon and nutmeg flavors are quite prevalent, but not overwhelming. Drinking this beer is quite refreshing, and I agree that there is a light delightful toffee aftertaste. Definitively sweet, this beer is enjoyable but would not necessarily be paired with Monday Night Football. Although it does not fulfill my search for the “perfect” pumpkin beer, I wouldn’t hesitate to imbibe it again.

Pie Pieces: 3 – Orange