October means pumpkin beer is back. Some breweries mix in real pumpkin. Others just toss in some "pumpkin spice" mix. New Belgium went in a completely different direction here, though. Most of the New Belgium Voodoo Ranger beers seem to be IPAs, but this is definitely more like a twist on the autumn pumpkin ale style. This is "Ale brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon, and chilies."
First sip: "Wow, that is a lot of cinnamon."
Second sip: "Wait, there's more heat than I thought. Almost like... Red Hot candy?"
Third sip: "Nope, definitely some spicy chilies in there!"
This is weird, but I like it. ABV is 6.4%, so it's reasonably strong. I have no idea how to classify the hops profile, because the cinnamon and chilies are so dominant. I'm not even sure I could taste the pumpkin, although I do think there was a note of gourd. Regardless, as fall beers go, this was a fun adventure as I stretched out enjoyment of a six-pack over several days. If you find it, and can take a little heat, give it a try!
The art from the first image is repeated twice on the can. Here is the bit with bar code, government warnings, ingredients, and whatnot.
In case you can't read it here, the bottom line says, "Brewed and canned by New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO & Asheville, NC."
Please don't be a litterbug! Aluminum and glass are both readily recycled, and while I'm not bleeding-heart left-winger, I do dislike wanton destruction, and favor economizing resources. Aluminum, or "aluminium" to those of you who like extra syllables in the British style, requires only about 5% of the energy to recycle as it does to smelt from ore. Unlike glass, there is even a payment process from recycling centers, too!
Final thought: people still tend to look down on cans, but nowadays, it's a personal mini-keg and a marvel of engineering.
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