Beer Review: New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale
Editor’s note: There’s no question that the fall is prime time for beer. Contributor Em Sauter takes a closer look at some of the seasonal brews.
ABV- 4.5%
Ingredients- barley, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon
Cost- $12.49 for six pack cans
There are many in the industry who sneer at the humble pumpkin ale, which, in 2021, doesn’t really make sense. Beers that taste like pies, cookies, donuts, candy, etc are quite popular nowadays; and pumpkin ales happily fit into this subset. Just a few years ago, pumpkin ales were a sort of joke that “serious beer drinkers” would get upset about. Now those same people who scoffed at pumpkin ales now happily imbibe beers brewed with brownies and marshmallows. Pumpkin ale, after all, is the original “pastry beer” - an autumnal treat that signals to people that the leaves are changing, Sundays are now for football, and fun size candy is meant to be eaten every day, not just Halloween.
Versatility of Pumpkin Ale
One of the best things about Pumpkin Ales is that they can wear many costumes. Pumpkin beers can be dark, barrel-aged, light, seltzer, high abv, low abv, even a pumpkin lager isn’t out of the question. Pumpkin beers can adapt to almost any beer style and do it well.
New Holland’s Ichabod Ale is a classic pumpkin ale. A “classic” pumpkin ale is usually an amber ale base with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices (allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon). The thing that makes Ichabod different is that it’s sessionable- 4.5% ABV. Pumpkin ales tend to have this almost sticky, full sweetness, and usually higher alcohol (6% and up). I found this pumpkin ale refreshing. Those are two words I never thought I’d see together but it works and works very well.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of this beer are lovely- apple pie, spice rack, subtle pumpkin; it reminds me of the kitchen the day before Thanksgiving when the air is thick and rich with bakery aromas from the scent of fresh pies cooling on the counter. The visual of this beer is what you would expect- a beautiful orange gold pumpkin color with a rich tan head -this beer screams Halloween in all aspects.
There’s a potpourri quality to the flavor which semi detracts from the overall appeal, but this “fancy ladies’ bathroom” presence leaves rapidly. You want another sip. I was drinking this with a good friend who is based in London (his first pumpkin beer ever) and he said there was “moreish” quality to it, which is an English phrase that means something is palatable and whatever you are enjoying beckons you to have another one. With the low ABV, a nice balance of flavor/aroma, and great drinkability, Ichabod is the first pumpkin beer that said to me, “hey, Em, have another,” and I complied.