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Pumpkin Down

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The caramel and toffee maltiness of Piper Down Scottish ale is the backdrop for a boatload of roasted pumpkin, with a subtle amount of spice and an earthy flavor. Born as a smash at the brewery and a pumpkin ale that bucks the trend, at 5.8%. Limited, poured only on draft and aimed at the holidays, with World Beer Cup bronze in 2016.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter22 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Bronze · 2016
World Beer Cup
Pumpkin Beer
★Bronze — World Beer Cup (Pumpkin Beer)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedcaramelearthy
roasted
caramel
earthy
malty
spicy
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted pumpkin flesh and toasted grain, underpinned by caramel and toffee sweetness from the Scottish ale maltiness.
not found:hoppy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pumpkin Down

◎ Appearance

Pumpkin Down presents a deep amber to light copper hue, reflecting its roasted grain character and moderate caramel malt base. The beer shows good clarity with a tan head of modest height and fair retention, supported by moderate carbonation that builds gentle lacing on the glass.

deep ambertan headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted pumpkin flesh and toasted grain, underpinned by caramel and toffee sweetness from the Scottish ale maltiness. Subtle spice notes emerge in the background—cinnamon and nutmeg—with a grounding earthiness that prevents the profile from becoming overly dessert-like.

roasted pumpkincaramelearthy spice

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty, with roasted pumpkin and toffee character taking the lead across the mid-palate. The 22 IBU provide gentle, restrained bitterness that balances the underlying sweetness without asserting dominance; the spice layer adds complexity without sharpness. Finish is clean and relatively dry, with lingering roasted grain and subtle earthiness.

malty sweetnessroasted graingentle bitternesssmooth mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The finish tapers smoothly with a moderate duration, leaving behind notes of toasted malt and a faint pumpkin-spice warmth. No harsh astringency or cloying residue; instead, a dry, earthy aftertaste that invites another sip.

clean drymoderate length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
75
Finish
78
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Pumpkin Down

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About Pumpkin Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pumpkin Ale?

Pumpkin Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Pumpkin Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, caramel, earthy character as Pumpkin Down will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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