Elysian Dark O' The Moon Pumpkin Stout

Pumpkin ale season is pretty much done now, but i thought i would sneak one more in before we're up to our elbows in holiday ales.  Elysian was always one of my favorite breweries to sample when in the Pacific Northwest, and although they've become part of the evil empire, they still put out good stuff.  Case in point, the wonderful Dark O' The Moon Pumpkin Stout.  Pouring a dark, brownish black with a tan head, the (now) 7.6% ABV stout smells of pumpkin, spices, cinnamon, and malts.  Thick and smooth, the flavors of pumpkin, nutmeg, malt, and cinnamon abound, with the cinnamon notes really taking front and center, all with a decently bitter finish.

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Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

I was a little torn about writing about Elysian Brewing, as i'm no fan of the continued AB InBev acquisition of smaller craft breweries.  It feels like selling out the little guy.  But, good beer is good beer, and Elysian's Night Owl Pumpkin Ale is a good beer.  And we are knee deep in pumpkin spice season anyway, so i suppose it's worth noting.  Pouring a hazy, amber-ish gold with a crisp white head, the 6.7% ABV brew smells of pumpkin and your usual assortment of pumpkin spices like nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and allspice.  The flavor is slightly sweet, the spices playing well with notes of caramel and molasses in a smooth and easily drinkable beer, a perfect, albeit corporate, Fall brew.

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Elysian Loser Pale Ale

I've got about three or four more Washington beers to move through before hitting up brewers' wares from the rest of the country and world.  I just had so many tasty ones while visiting there last month, that i have a veritable arsenal of brews to choose from.  Elysian Brewing Company puts out a celebratory pale ale called Loser that's dedicated to the area's legendary Sub Pop Records.  The beer is a murky gold with a white head that smells and tastes of pine, citrus, and grapefruit.  It's a dry and bitter 7% ABV pale, but balances out nicely with the sweet malts.  Enjoy one in the sunshine.

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Elysian Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale

Let the brews from my Washington adventure continue.  The Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale from the excellent Elysian Brewing was a great treat and a perfect beer for the unseasonably warm weather we had while on the Puget Sound.  The beer is a cloudy, golden orange with a good and bubbly head, floral and orange aromas on the heavy side, but a smooth drink with hints of the orange and florals, some malt, some slight pepper, and a bitter sweet finish.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  I'd like another.

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