hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Pumpkinhead

Tap to rate

Shipyard has brewed Pumpkinhead since 1996, and it comes only once a year, in fall. The wheat ale carries a pumpkin flavor, lifted by a proprietary spice blend with cinnamon and nutmeg for a subtle spice character. Willamette and Saphir are the hops, pale ale, whole wheat and light Munich the malts. The proper pint is served in a glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon. 4.5% ABV, 18 IBU.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter18 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
wheatspicynutty
wheat
spicy
nutty
malty
clove
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent wheat and soft malt notes, followed by a distinct pumpkin character layered with warm spice—cinnamon and nutmeg dominate without overwhelming.
also:fruity
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pumpkinhead

◎ Appearance

Pumpkinhead presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a delicate white head. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily. When served in a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass, the beer catches the light with a bright, inviting appearance.

pale goldenclearfine carbonationwhite head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent wheat and soft malt notes, followed by a distinct pumpkin character layered with warm spice—cinnamon and nutmeg dominate without overwhelming. Subtle fruity and floral notes from the Willamette and Saphir hops provide gentle background complexity, while the overall impression remains clean and seasonal.

wheatpumpkin spicecinnamonnutmegsubtle fruitiness

◐ Taste

The palate opens soft and approachable, with wheat malt providing a clean, slightly sweet foundation. Spice notes—particularly cinnamon and clove—emerge in the mid-palate with restraint, complementing rather than dominating the malty backbone. Light bitterness from the hops (18 IBU) balances the sweetness, resulting in a smooth, drinkable character that finishes without harshness.

malty sweetnessspicedsmoothlight bitternessclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is refreshing and relatively short, with lingering warmth from the spice blend fading gracefully. A subtle nutty note persists in the aftertaste, leaving a pleasant reminder of the beer's seasonal character without cloying sweetness.

refreshingwarm spice fadenutty aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 5–8°C

Serve at 5–8°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Pumpkinhead

More from Shipyard Brewing Company

American Pale Ale Golden Nitro
American Pale Ale Golden Nitro
American Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Blue Fin
Blue Fin
Irish Dry Stout
4.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Boatload
Boatload
Fruit Wheat Ale
4.5%·Mild
Find matches →
Export
Export
Golden Ale
5.1%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Finder
Finder
Hazy IPA
6.9%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Hazelnut Porter
Hazelnut Porter
Porter
5.7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Invader Pale Ale
Invader Pale Ale
Hazy Pale Ale
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Monkey Fist IPA
Monkey Fist IPA
West Coast IPA
6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

About American Wheat Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Wheat Ale?

American Wheat 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 American Wheat Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same wheat, spicy, nutty character as Pumpkinhead will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →