Say, an barrel aged imperial pumpkin ale? And just in time for the first real cold snap of the year? I managed to scrounge up a four pack at my go-to store and saved it up for college football and the first fire of autumn. Perfect! Also pleased to see a 12% ABV beer packaged in a 12 oz can, sometimes I don’t want to wait to share a bomber with someone.

Company: OKCITY Brewing Company

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

ABV: 12.4%

Style/Description: Ale brewed with pumpkin spices and aged in oak bourbon barrels

Price: $19 (4-pack, 12 oz. cans)

Appearance: Pours clear and dark, ruby copper. Light head and sticky lace.

Nose: Spicy booze and whiskey aroma filled up my living room, my mouth was watering. Some pumpkin and allspice hiding under the booze when I stuck my nose in the glass. The heavy aggressive alcohol aroma mellows a bit as it warms up.

Taste: Pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are right out in front of the taste, an impressive feat in a 12% alcohol brew. Peppery whiskey barrel and warming booze come in, with some the accompanying vanilla and oak notes. Cloves and anise, maybe some nutmeg? Maybe allspice? Body is thinner than I expected without being thin, with an appropriate medium low carbonation and slightly sticky mouth. The alcohol is surprisingly mellow, considering how hot the nose was. Not overly aggressive, but a pleasant warming on the way down.

Finish: Nice whiskey and some pumpkin linger, with sticky malts on the palette. Light warming alcohol hits the belly with pleasant warmth.

Overall: I was excited about a barrel aged imperial pumpkin ale. Great execution, with plenty of pumpkin and barrel.  You know that you’re drinking a 12% beer, but the alcohol doesn’t hit you over the head. I will definitely be saving one or two of these and see how they age in a few months. Great addition to the fall/winter seasonal beer selection, I hope to continue to see these in the future.

Rating: 4/5