Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale
Now, that’s a pretty beer.
I’ve had a few beers from Ohio’s Hoppin’ Frog through the years and, while I particularly enjoy their heavier, darker stuff the most, the do make some seriously tasty seasonal ales, as well. I never wrote a review of it, but the brewery’s Frosted Frog was a welcome winter treat, just like this 8.4% ABV Double Pumpkin Ale.
The surprise with this brew, especially when compared to other pumpkin related products from around the county, is the use of ginger in it’s recipe. Ginger isn’t typically an ingredient that I would expect to find in this style of seasonal ale — in Hoppin’ Frog’s case, it sets them apart from the growning mass of craft pumpkin ales that appear on shelves each and every year.
Appearance
Frog’s Hollow pours a clean, amber with a quickly falling white head. The beer looks like it’s going to go down smooth.
Aroma
For the most part, the beer smells like every other pumpkin ale that’s made with spices. Hints of nutmeg and clove fill the nose while an earthy pumpkin rests comfortably as the base.
Taste
Don’t let the nose of this beer get you down. The taste is where it all really comes together nicely. The ginger component to this brew shines on the palate along with the spices and pumpkin that form the base for this beer. The presence of ginger isn’t overwhelming by any means. It sits at a comfortable level within the rest of the flavors that fill the mouth as this slightly viscous fluid travels across the tongue. There’s a moderate level of sweetness to the beer, but not in a pumpkin-pie-in-a-glass sort of way. For a “double” anything, the alcohol is hidden well, only showing up after the beer has had some time to warm to room temperature.
Overall
It’s funny how one appropriately used ingredient can really set a beer apart from its peers in a particular style. The ginger within this beer is at just the right level to compliment the rest of the ingredients. It never dominates or says, “Hey look at me. I’m ginger!” This is a big, well crafted brew that I will most certainly be purchasing more of before it disappears.
Rating: 4.25/5