This post is a couple of weeks late, but seeing as though Thanksgiving was just last I week, I didn’t want to overload your pumpkin senses. Whatever am I talking about? Well, now what kind of beer guru would I be if I had not gotten my grubby paws onto a PUMPKINATOR by St. Arnolds. Yes, one of the super limited releases, yes, the same Pumpkinator that sold out in Houston within three hours of its release. Yes, the same Pumpkinator that people were pushing, shoving, bribing, and paying inordinate sums of cash, drugs, gold bars, and first born children for. Frankly, when I heard about the craziness of this release I thought it was all for naught. I mean, seriously, can a beer be that amazing? Well, the Beer Betties thought so. After watching their impression of this beer I decided that it may just be worth the extra effort to acquire one.

Well, long about three, four weeks ago, after all the craziness had died down, I set out on a search. I was promised for weeks at my local watering supply that it was coming, it was coming… disappointment is what I received instead. However, I digress. Whilst I was in the metroplex on a mission to find a particular rum for a friend of mine, I stumbled upon a lone bottle. A last bastion of hope, a last remaining, unsold, previously forgotten about (wedged behind a shelf and hidden amongst lesser brews) bottle of Pumpkinator. I didn’t even bother looking at the price tag, it didn’t matter. I would eat ramen for a month to get this brew (I can be dedicated to the right beer rumors, trust me). So I purchased it, cradled it, and shot off a picture to a friend of mine who was in a similar situation, albeit not possessing the dumb luck that I had walked into. His response was filled with vulgarities that would make Howard Stern blush. Anyways, TO THE BEER!

Serving it at an optimal temperature one evening whilst watching Sunday night football, and after a hearty meal the crown was removed from the bottle, and it was poured into a pair of pint glasses. First aromas of heavy spice, medium of pumpkin, and a gorgeous dark pour with ample head. The first taste… Well, it was a good thing that I was already seated. This beer was PHENOMENAL. Absolutely stunning. The flavors melded together in what can only be called a masterpiece of Mozart level prowess. Not overly pumpkin, but not just pumpkin flavoring added at a rate of three drops per 1000 bottles like most other pumpkin ales that I have ever had. This beer was by far, unmatched in terms of quality of production and flavor. Abso-frickin’-lutely spectacular. The ONLY thing that I would change on this beer is to take the level of spice from a 8.5 to about a 8.1. Other than that, it is sheer perfection. I only regret that not everyone can taste this wonderful brew. Now, I have heard speculation that it “may” be released as a year round brew, but at this time I have not seen anything conclusive from the boys down in Houston about that. So, I leave you with this…

Search craigslist, ebay, your local black market beer dealer… I don’t care how you get it, but get a bottle of this beer. It really is worth your first born. (Besides one day, that first born may try to sneak beer from your fridge) call it preventative beer protection.