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Pumpkin shelves are still full, so we went hunting for what’s actually worth drinking and wound up with two wildly different takes. First up: North High Carved Pumpkin, a smooth 7.5% ale with a holiday-leaning spice bill. The aroma says pumpkin patch, but the sip says clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon turned up past cozy and into Christmas. No alcohol burn, no syrupy sweetness, just a clean finish that makes it an easy nightcap, even if the pumpkin hides behind the spice rack.

Then we crack Urban Artifact’s Jack Pumpkin Pie American Fruit Tart—and everything changes. Bright acidity. Yam richness. A pumpkin note that feels lifted instead of heavy. It’s crisp, lip-smacking, and surprisingly refreshing for a fall beer, the kind of tart that clears your palate instead of coating it. If you’ve written off pumpkin beers as sticky and over-spiced, this one’s the plot twist. We break down why a sour profile can rescue seasonal flavors, how clove can quietly overpower a recipe, and the small details on labels that tell you what you’re really buying.

Between pours, we share the stories that color the tasting: gratitude for a workplace that shows up for its people, the humility of slow weeks, and a golf saga that escalates from simulator glory to a ball landing two feet from a backswing—followed by an unforgettable response. It’s a reminder that beer and life both benefit from balance: a little sweet, a little sharp, and a lot of honesty about what works.

Stick around for our final scores—7.5 for the spice-forward ale and 9 for the tart standout—plus practical tips for navigating seasonal beer aisles without getting burned. If you enjoyed the ride, follow the show, share it with a friend who swears off pumpkin beer, and drop a review with your own fall favorites.

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