Welcome to Beer Tastings, a weekly series in which Utah Beer News highlights a particularly tasty local brew. This week we get into the fall spirit by tasting Black O’ Lantern Pumpkin Stout by Wasatch Brewery. What are you drinking? Let us know!
Beer Tastings: Black O’ Lantern Pumpkin Stout
Oh, fall. You and your leaves of many colors. Pumpkin spice wafts through the crisp autumn mornings and nights. It’s harvest season and Halloween is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to put on your favorite hoodie, watch the sunset, and crack open a pumpkin beer.
But you’re not a fan of pumpkin? The pumpkin spice latte craze is just too much? Not to worry, Wasatch Brewery has you covered with its Black O’ Lantern Pumpkin Stout.
Yes, you’ll smell and taste pumpkin. But you’ll also pick up delightful notes of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and, for me, even some chocolate roastiness.
I look forward to this 6.5% ABV gem each year (I’m not a big pumpkin flavor fan, either). It’s a great beer to enjoy as the days get shorter, the nights get longer, and we clench the last gasps of summertime bliss.
Related: Pumpkin really not your thing? We’ve highlighted several non-pumpkin fall beers perfect for the season.
- Brewery: Wasatch Brewery
- ABV: 6.5%
- Serving Style: Can (12 ounce)
- Date Tasted: September 5, 2018
- Purchase Location: Wasatch Brewery (Sugar House)
Wasatch Brewery: A Pub for All
It’s nice to have such easy access to Wasatch beers. Whether you’re downtown, close to South Salt Lake, on the East Side, or in Park City, there’s a pub for you. Plus, the beers are plentiful in restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and liquor stores.
I enjoyed my Black O’ Lantern at the Wasatch Pub in Sugar House, just off 2100 South and Highland Drive. It’s a newer location with vaulted ceilings and plenty of space to spread out.
As you know, Wasatch is a post-prohibition trailblazer in Utah. For more on Wasatch Brewery, check out this previous Tastings article.
Black O' Lantern Pumpkin Stout — Wasatch Brewery
Product Name: Black O'Lantern Pumpkin Stout
Product Description: From the brewery: "Alone in his laboratory one stormy night, a madman crossed an imperial stout with pumpkin to create this fine frankenbrew. How good is it? Well, scary good."
- Aroma
- Appearance
- Flavor
- Mouthfeel
Overall Impression
If traditional pumpkin beers aren’t your thing, may we suggest Black O’ Lantern. It’s a rich and creamy pumpkin stout, featuring hints of cinnamon and vanilla (and an assortment of other spices).
- Aroma: Nice pumpkin, but not overpowering; I picked up some nutmeg and cinnamon
- Appearance: Dark brown with a graham cracker crust head
- Flavor: Pumpkin with a rich roastiness; a bit of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg) and vanilla
- Mouthfeel: Creamy and tongue-coating
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Notes: The tasting notes format is adapted from a Homebrew Academy Beer Tasting Mastery course I took in 2017. Utah Beer News is not compensated in any way for beers mentioned in the Tastings series.
