First Posted: 10/19/2014

Description – Fat Jack pours a pour rich copper color with soapy beige head that lingers long and leaves a hefty lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is full of pumpkin spice notes with nutmeg and ginger being the most pronounced, followed by cinnamon and hints of caramel backed by very subtle hints of smoked malts that imparts a freshly baked pumpkin bread smell. Luckily the taste backs up the nose since the inviting aroma gives the impression that this beer will be like biting into fresh baked pumpkin bread, and the taste proves that to be true. The sweetness and smoke from the malts lay the foundation on the palate and the pumpkin spices wash over and latch on and are followed by a mild carbonation that slowly cleanses the palate. The medium body and medium-low carbonation convey an incredibly smooth mouthfeel that cascades over the palate and leaves one feeling refreshed and relaxed. Sam Adams has done it again and created a fantastic beer that has all the right tastes and aromas of the season, a must try this fall!

Food Pairing – The rich and warming malt characteristics of Fat Jack make it a great pairing with hearty fall dishes and also creamy desserts. Try pairing this beer with a rich and creamy cheese soup, the subtle spicing will match the flavors of the cheese perfectly and give the flavor of a creamy pumpkin soup while the mild carbonation will cleanse the palate of the thick creaminess. There are also a plethora of great pumpkin based dishes that make for a great pairing whether it is a pumpkin soufflé, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin risotto, or delicious pumpkin cannelloni with sage brown-butter sauce; the flavor profiles of all these dishes make for an excellent pairing. Fat Jack is also a great beer to have on hand for brunch, especially if you are planning on enjoying waffles, pancakes, or French toast. Of course, this is a beer that is a dream for desserts. The rich caramel flavors and pumpkin spices taste like dessert itself but when paired with carrot cake, pumpkin cheesecake, or pecan pie the flavors really shine and will be a truly magnificent explosion of fall flavors on your palate!

The Final Word – While there is certainly no shortage of pumpkin ales available every year, the problem is in knowing which ones to try and which ones to avoid. Some tend to be “spice bombs” and the combination of spices and sweet malt can leave one wishing they had ordered a different beer, while others can be under spiced, thin, and impart no hint of the desired pumpkin spice flavor and aroma. Fear not though, Sam Adams has figured out a great combination of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel to create a beer that is incredibly smooth and full of all the wonderful flavors of the fall. The sweet caramel taste is balanced perfectly with pumpkin spice and the 8.5% ABV is great to help warm you up on a cool fall evening. Sam Adams has long been a brewery that can always be trusted to brew consistent and reliable beer, and the same can be said about the wonderful Fat Jack, get some while you still can this fall!

Where can I get it? – Currently available in 22 oz. bottles at: Cooper’s Seafood- Scranton; Backyard Ale House- Scranton; Arena Bar and Grill- Wilkes Barre; Exit 190 Beer Deli- Dickson City; and Wegman’s- Dickson City and Wilkes Barre.