Abbatacola's Craft Beer Review: Warlock, Imperial Pumpkin
By Matt Abbatacola--
(CBS) Hello beer friends. What new beers have you tried lately? Let me know what I should try. I know it's only Sept. 2, but fall beers are out in force. Here are two for your consideration.
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As a reminder, here are the criteria that go into the review. Let me know your thoughts. Cheers.
Southern Tier's Warlock -- $$
Warlock comes from Southern Tier's Blackwater series. It's an imperial stout brewed with pumpkin and has a 10% ABV.
Warlock has a black body with a thick tan head. There's an earthy aroma with notes of chocolate and coffee.
It has a nutty component to its taste with a roasted maltiness. Warlock is smooth and rich like any good stout. I didn't get any pumpkin taste. Again, it was more nutty in flavor with an earthy undertone. I didn't get any residual sweetness and the aftertaste was boozy -- not necessarily a bad quality, but that may not be the desired taste for most. I do understand this is an imperial stout with a high alcohol volume, but you and I have had other 10%-plus ABV brews that don't taste boozy.
My biggest disappointment was the lack of pumpkin taste. I would've never guessed this was a pumpkin stout had the label not told me.
I'm going to try this beer again and hope it was just this particular bottle for whatever reason that didn't work for me.
Southern Tier's Blackwater Series includes Choklat, Creme Brulee, Choklat Oranj, Salted Caramel, Mokah and Warlock.
I have had and absolutely loved Salted Caramel -- it was outstanding. Despite paying $21 for a four-pack of 12-ounce bottles, I have bought it more than once.
I will try again and report back.
Overall score: 5
O'Fallon's Imperial Pumpkin -- $$
This ale is brewed with pumpkin and has a 10% ABV.
It pours as a dark brown body with a purplish or plum hue around the edges. It has a small off-white head that dissipates quickly with little lacing. It smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, spices and has vanilla notes underneath.
It tastes great, very smooth and complex in flavors. There are layers of taste, as if I could taste every aspect of a great piece of pumpkin pie and it's properly balanced despite being 10% ABV.
I'm loving O'Fallon Brewery.
Overall score: 9
Let me know your thoughts and enjoy fall beer season.
Matt Abbatacola is a producer, host and update anchor at 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MattAbbatacola and email him at Matt@670thescore.com.