Timmermans Pumpkin Lambicus

Brewed By: Timmermans/Brouwerij John Martin in Dilbeek-Itterbeek, Belgium

Purchased: 1 Pint, 9.36 Fl. Oz (750ml) bottle bought at Binny's in IL; 2013 (Bottled On: 07/24/2013)

Style/ABV: Fruit Lambic, 4.0% 

Reported IBUs: ?

I was very hesitant to pick up tonight's beer, which is a pumpkin "Lambic" brewed with natural flavors. We'll see how this one stacks up. About John Martin and Timmermans:                                                                

Timmermans brewery/Anthony Martin was founded in 1909 by British brew master, John Martin. Since then, Timmermans has been making a variety of beers. However, it also appears that the Timmermans Brewery dates back to 1702 (over 300 years), when the Timmermans started brewing Gueuze Lambics under the brewery name of "Brasserie de la Taupe." You can read more about the history of the brewery here.  

Tonight's beer is so OG there isn't even a webpage for it. Punching in at 4.0%, this "Lamic" is brewed with natural flavors, and spices (I'm assuming). 

In lower light, this beer pours into a nice dark brown/orange body, and kicks up two to three fingers of off-white head. The head wastes no time settling into a nice centimeter size, but the beer has tons of violent carbonation. Surprisingly, the beer looks about the same in bright light...ever so hazy, with a vibrant dark orange body that has some hints of brown/amber. The head soaks up the orange, and is leaving nice lacing. Head retention is nice, with tons of effervescent carbonation.

Timmermans Pumpkin Lambicus

On the aroma: lots of sweet, sweet pumpkin spice and pumpkin soda. I'm reminded of Shipyard's Pumpkinhead. I'm getting sweet cinnamon, pumpkin spice, pumpkins, and apples. There is some lemony straw and grass on the nose as well, with a hint of cereal grains and grain-funk ala a Saison or Wild Ale. There's some damp funk on the aroma...just tons of "damp." 

Not shockingly, the taste follows through with the nose...you get a lot of sweet, pumpkin spice/cinnamon soda, with big blasts of apples, apple pie, and cinnamon. This beer tastes a lot like apple pie. There is a slight oaky/woody edge to this, with some hints of tartness on the edges, and a little of that patented Sour Brown/Oud Bruin dark malt. And the sweet pie/apple/cinnamon flavors are actually held together quite nicely. This reminds me of a pumpkin wine or mulled wine. I'm going to let this warm up and add a few more tasting notes...as this warms, you get a whole lot more damp, slightly tart, pumpkin soda meets apple pie. The tart edge remains, and there's a hint of underlying wood/oak.

At 4.0%, this is very drinkable. I was worried that this was going to be watery, but this works out. Palate depth and complexity are alright. The mouthfeel is light-bodied, with good carbonation. Everything is mild. You get mild tart/oak that immediately gives way to sweet apples, apple pie, pumpkin spice, cinnamon; that rolls into apples, sweet spice; the back end is lingering sweetness, apples, and a finish that is damp and not dry.  

Rating: Average (3.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Decent Average on this. This isn't bad...in fact, it's very drinkable for what it is, and if you're looking for apple pie soda you'll be in business. I would pair this beer with light cheeses/hors d'oeuvres, a light pumpkin soup, or pumpkin desserts. This one was kind of pricey...around 16 or 17 a bottle, I believe. For those reasons, you definitely want to pair this with food. This is by no means a must-have Pumpkin Beer, but it's a fun twist for a fruited/sugared "Lambic" thing.

Random Thought: I can't believe it's only Tuesday night.