Hop Cast

In Episode 59 Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski are ready for halloween and are enjoying a couple pumpkin beers. They start off the episode enjoying Ken’s pumpkin porter homebrew that he had stashed away. They follow that up with the New Holland Ichadob Ale. This beer is usually pretty easy to find at your local beer store in the midwest. It comes in at 5.5% ABV which makes it a good session ale. Ken and Brad follow the Ichadob Ale up with Pumpkin Ale from Schlafly. This 8.0% ABV pumpkin gift came from Hop Cast fan Steve Wyatt. The Schlafly Pumpkin Ale packs some great flavors and is highly recommended, if you can find it. Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski would like to wish everyone who watches the Hop Cast a Happy Halloween!

Download the Podcast (226.1 MB).

October is here and that means Halloween is just days away. It’s hard to think of Halloween and not think of pumpkins. So for the October beer of the month, the Hop Cast is choosing an excellent Pumpkin Ale; Dogfish Head’s Punkin’ Ale. Brad and Ken previously reviewed this on episode 10 of the Hop Cast with Charlie Drews. The Hop Cast picked the Punkin’ Ale for this months beer for two reasons; one it rocks and two, it’s relatively easier to find then some of the other pumpkin beers. Now just to note this pumpkin ale is more beer then pumpkin, it isn’t overly spiced and not heavy on the sweetness. When it pours out it is a burnt light copper color with thin light white head. The smell of the spice drifts up to your nose from the glass. Those great aromas of allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and caramel all come through and work wonderfully together. When you finally take a sip, the malty sweet caramel hits you but quickly disappears. There is some cinnamon and brown sugar in the finish and then you get this nice hop that kicks at the end and finishes it all off. The hops are a nice treat in the end, almost as a reminder of the summer that is now gone. All around, this beer is drinkable and smooth. With and ABV of 7.0% you can have a couple and not get knocked on your ass. While this beer is still around, head down to your beer store to pick up a few and say hello to Fall.

For even more Dogfish Head beer and info check out the mobile episode Brad and Ken did from the brew pub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and stay tuned for a home brewer profile with Joseph Lemnah who is one of the brewers over at Dogfish Head.

Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder with special guest Charlie Drews show you the true meaning of Halloween in episode 10… pumpkin beers. The three of them evaluate Dogfish Head’s Punkin’ Ale, Jack’s Pumpkin Spice from Anheuser-Busch and Southern Tier Brewing’s Pumking. While they are in season be sure to pick up your preferred pumpkin beer. Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski wish everyone who watches the Hop Cast a Happy Halloween!

Download the Podcast (179.4 MB).