Epic Brewing Company / DC Brau - "Fermentation Without Representation" imperial pumpkin porter

Hi all,

Sorry for forgoing last week's post - work obligations, travel outside the DMV, and apartment renovations all prevented me from adhering to my usual schedule. But, that's all over, and since fall is upon us, why not review a really delicious (and timely) beer.

It's DC Brau's collaboration with Epic Brewing Company. This beer, like many other collaborations, is part of the Exponential Series of beers. These are collaborations or special-run beers with interesting ingredients or special seasonal mixes. Of course, for fall, it's pumpkin. Last year I did a pumpkin showdown, which I probably will not repeat this year. There are simply too many pumpkin beers to try. But I'm always on the lookout for new ones, and this definitely caught my eye. I'd heard of it, in the past, and made a mental note to watch for it in the fall. Lo and behold, here it is at Whole Foods for a paltry $7.99.

It's an 8% ABV beer billed as a "porter brewed with pumpkin and spices." This is along the same lines as Red Hook's "Out of Your Gourd" Pumpkin Porter, which was pretty good and very cheap. So I was of course interested to see what new flavors and textures DC Brau and Epic would deliver. Let's dive in.

It's got a nice chocolate brown pour, with a khaki-colored, foamy head that settles quickly...lots of big bubbles in there. It's a dark beer, but it's a porter, so no surprise.

The nose is of pumpkin and chocolate. The taste starts out with some pumpkin flavors, and then slowly blends into a mixture of pumpkin and chocolate that smooths over into some nice roasted nut / malt flavors. There's a lingering aftertaste of spice and chocolate.

I'm pleased with this. It's not Pumking - then again, what is - but it's tasty and sweet. Whereas a lot of beers, Pumking included, are lighter pumpkin ales, this beer takes a different approach for something smokier and darker. In addition to Red Hook's "Out of Your Gourd," this beer reminds me as well of Southern Tier's "Warlock." I'd definitely try it again, and I'd even be curious to see how it ages.