Uinta Brewing was found in 1993, and quickly reached levels of popularity that required adding it’s own bottling line by 1996.  Over the years they’ve continued to grow and expand, keeping their original lines, but adding everything from lines specializing in high alcohol specialty aged brews to organics.  In fact, Uinta is so committed to the environment that it’s the first 100% wind powered brewery in Utah.  Hailing from the organic line is Uinta Punk’n Harvest Pumpkin Ale, and is one of the few organic beverages that’s come through First Pour.  While the label and fall colors make it look absolutely delicious, only the pour can tell if it can cash in on its looks?  

 

Sight:  A pleasant orangey copper with a quickly dissipating white head.

Smell:  Pumpkin with a bit of graham cracker.  Not very spicy, maybe on the light side but nothing predominate standouts.  It’s a hint earthy.

Sip:  The carbonation pops and then relaxes into a smoother creamy sort of feel.  The pumpkin pie flavor starts here, and leans toward clove, but is generally fairly balanced.   There’s a light graham cracker and vanilla note that appears from time to time. [A.B.V. 4%]

Savor:  It’s a bit more squashy on the finish, but the pumpkin pie spices keep their clove background.  The flavor doesn’t last an overly long time.

Uinta Punk’n Harvest Pumpkin Ale has a lot of enjoyable characteristics of pumpkin beer, but all of them are rather subtle.  This isn’t bad for general quick quaffing, but a little more excitement and depth of spice could really bring this beer to the next level.  It’s worth a try for a quick kind of pumpkiny brown ale style of beer, but most won’t think it deeply pumpkinish.

Verdict: Fresh Pumpkin, Light Spice, Simple
Price: $1.99
Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.uintabrewing.com/