#imperialpumking

[mikestand5]

Impact Player

Sometimes you gotta go big or go home. That's especially true with pumpkin beers. If you go too subtle and pastoral, the whole thing can dissolve into a case of twee-brewing. Pumpkins make a big statement in the natural world.  They're big, orange, and obvious.  Beers that tap into this vibe should be likewise.  Enter Southern Tier's Imperial Pumking.

I'm pairing this one up with Mobile Suit Gundam Seed.  No points for subtlety in that anime either. The giant mech's have names like Freedom and Justice not Alex and Ani!  Big themes.  Big personal demons.  Big battles.

Southern Tier has had great success with Imperial Pumking, because they weren't afraid of big flavor, and high ABV.  Actual pumpkin is used in the mash along with traditional pumpkin pie spices.  It pours a deep straw-yellow in the glass, and immediately hits you with a blast of nutmeg before you even take a sip.  An aggressive pour will give you a foamy white head, but it doesn't last long.  I like it a bit on the frosty side, but the flavors most definitely become more pronounced as this strong ale warms up.

Let's talk a little bit about the high ABV (8.6%). That's a serious kick for a festive beer.  You want to have fun with this beer, but you must respect it.  A quaff or two goes a long way.  You need to sit back and enjoy the mellow after a glass.  And honestly, there's so much to enjoy, what's the rush!  Forget that shot of vanilla vodka for the pumpkin pie and ice cream effect, you have all you need right here.  I love how this beer just sort of pulls you into a harvest glow.  It's even better with the natural light of a crackling fire.

Another reason I like to pair this beer with Gundam Seed is that despite the cosmic setting of the anime it really is pretty down to earth. In the end, it's the human connections that truly move us.  Athrun's ties to a tiny mechanical bird and his friendship with Kira make a far bigger statement than the most powerful gundam.

So, Autumn is here.  Pumpkin beer is the beer of the moment.  Imperial Pumking is a terrific choice to make the most of it.