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Caramel Pumking

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Caramel meets the aroma of spiced pumpkin pie: cinnamon, nutmeg and pie crust, wrapped in confectionery sweetness. A caramel spin-off of Southern Tier's Pumking, it is brewed at 8.6% and 28 IBU with 2-Row, Munich and Caramel 60 malts and CTZ hops, and appears between August and October. It also pours on draft.

ABV
8.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter28 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelspicymalty
caramel
spicy
malty
nutty
Aroma
Pronounced caramel sweetness forms the foundation, layered with classic pumpkin pie spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Caramel Pumking

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to light copper hue with good transparency and a dense, off-white head that clings moderately to the glass. Carbonation is evident but restrained, appropriate to the ale's full-bodied character. The overall presentation is warm and inviting, reflecting the malt bill's caramel-forward composition.

deep amberdense headwell-retained lacing

◌ Aroma

Pronounced caramel sweetness forms the foundation, layered with classic pumpkin pie spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Pie crust and toasted grain emerge beneath the spice, while a subtle confectionery sweetness amplifies without becoming cloying. The nose is coherent and evocative, with no harsh alcohol burn despite the 8.6% ABV.

caramel forwardpumpkin spicepie crusttoasted grain

◐ Taste

Entry is soft and malty, with caramel and Munich malt sweetness dominating the palate. Spice character—particularly cinnamon and nutmeg—weaves through the mid-palate with a gentle warming sensation. The 28 IBU provides light, restrained bitterness that balances rather than confronts; the finish leans toward residual sweetness rather than hop-driven dryness.

candy-like sweetnesswarm spicesmooth malty bodylow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, trailing caramel and a faint nutmeg fade. Mild warming from alcohol persists without aggression, and a subtle, lingering sweetness defines the aftertaste rather than any bitter or dry closure.

caramel aftertastewarming fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
76
Appearance
78
Finish
74
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°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 Caramel Pumking

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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 caramel, spicy, sweet character as Caramel Pumking will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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