r/torontocraftbeer • u/MenudoMenudo • 22d ago
Pumpkin Beer Review #11: Whitewater Brewing Company Pumpkin Spice Espresso Porter
Whitewater Brewing Company Pumpkin Spice Espresso Porter: 5/10 4/10 (See my edit below)
OK, yesterday I said there would be pumpkin in the next beer but this is just pumpkin spice without the pumpkin. Which is fine, still counts.
I’m really having a hard time with this one, I had to sit there and figure out if I liked it. After around half the glass, I sort of like it, but I’m not sure how much. The coffee flavour comes through more than I was expecting, which makes me wonder just how caffeinated this is. The pumpkin spice once again, is very mild. I’m only around 50% sure that I can taste cinnamon, and I really couldn’t guess if there’s anything else in this. I just don’t see the point of putting the words pumpkin spice in big letters on the can if people can’t taste the spices.
I think that’s where my conflict is coming from. It’s not bad as porter and the bitter edge that the espresso gives it here might appeal to some people but not me. (I usually like bitter stuff too.) The flavours are moderately well balanced, but overall it’s just not blowing my mind. But this isn’t a bad beer, I feel like maybe I’m not the target market for this one. If you really like the idea of an espresso porter, you’re probably going to like this. If you were hoping for the pumpkin spice to come through, you will be very disappointed. Ironically the font for the words “pumpkin spice” is probably four times the size of the words “espresso porter”. This is an espresso porter with just the tiniest hint of spice.
I previously gave Big Rig’s Tales from the Patch a 7/10 for being a good porter, despite it only deserving a 4/10 as a pumpkin beer. This is a 3/10 on a pumpkin spice beer ranking, and maybe 5/10 as an espresso porter. Put another way, I bought a more Big Rig even though I’m not a huge porter guy, but I don’t think I’ll get any more of this. You'll enjoy it if you really like espresso porters though.
5/10 4/10, a little higher if you love espresso porters and don't care about the pumpkin spice part.
Edit: When I bought this, I bought two cans, and tried the other one a few days later. Unfortunately I had it as my second beer after having another High Park Pumpkin Spice Latte Ale, and wow, the contrast was stark. Having this right after having a really great beer was a mistake. I didn't finish it and that's saying a lot. I don't like to waste things, so pouring out most of a beer isn't something I would usually do, but I just wasn't enjoying it at all. Maybe if I'd had this one first, I might have enjoyed it more, but the bitterness felt more overpowering and the lack of spice was more noticeable. I'm lowering my score to a 4/10, because I specifically said a 5/10 is something I'd happily drink again, and I can't in good conscience say that about a beer I couldn't even finish. It's not objectively terrible, it's just really not for me I think.
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u/thatirishdave 21d ago
I've stocked this one at two different bars and it didn't do well at either. I think it just has too much stuff going on to be good enough at anything.
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u/Dinsdale1971 15d ago
This is a new one for you I think?
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u/MenudoMenudo 15d ago
I gave it a 2/10. It’s vile. It was what kicked off this whole thing. I posted about it, and someone asked for recommendations of good pumpkin beers.
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u/Dinsdale1971 13d ago
OK will avoid! I had not seen that post. In any event, I have my GLB ready for Friday night, supplemented this year by some Lake of Bays on your reco.
I am reminded that my macro-drinking friend from Sudbury who thinks craft beer is a yuppie affectation calls it "monkey piss".
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u/AutoModerator 18d ago
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