Sucking the Fun Out, With Science!
The table below shows how the beers fared. The ratings given for each beer and attribute were averaged, with outliers removed to maintain some degree of relevance. To see a detailed breakdown and overview for each beer, click on the beer's name in the table.
| Average |
Blue Moon |
Saranac |
Pumpkin Patch |
Alpenhoff |
Buffalo Bill's |
Weyenbach |
Sea Dog |
Jack's Pumpkin Spice |
Shipyard |
Post Rd |
Smuttynose |
Dogfish Head |
The Mix |
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
| Smell |
4.2 |
6.6 |
4.9 |
4.8 |
6.4 |
7.0 |
4.6 |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.7 |
4.9 |
4.7 |
5.1
| Sip |
4.6 |
6.2 |
5.9 |
5.2 |
5.1 |
5.5 |
3.6 |
6.2 |
5.2 |
5.6 |
4.8 |
3.9 |
5.5 |
| In Mouth |
4.4 |
6.3 |
5.3 |
5.2 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
3.2 |
6.0 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
4.5 |
4.2 |
5.3 |
| Swallow |
5.0 |
6.4 |
5.9 |
5.1 |
4.7 |
5.4 |
3.2 |
5.7 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
4.3 |
4.2 |
5.1 |
| Aftertaste |
3.5 |
5.7 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
4.8 |
6.1 |
3.6 |
5.8 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
4.3 |
3.2 |
4.9 |
| Repeat |
4.2 |
6.0 |
5.8 |
5.5 |
5.2 |
5.6 |
2.8 |
5.5 |
4.8 |
5.5 |
4.5 |
4.0 |
5.8 |
| Memories |
2.9 |
4.9 |
3.8 |
4.4 |
3.5 |
4.6 |
2.8 |
3.8 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
2.1 |
3.9 |
| Overall |
4.0 |
6.5 |
5.5 |
5.3 |
4.6 |
5.8 |
2.8 |
5.9 |
4.8 |
6.1 |
4.4 |
4.0 |
5.5 |
| Pumpkinosity |
2.5 |
6.8 |
5.4 |
4.3 |
4.6 |
5.8 |
3.6 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
4.7 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
5.2 |
| Enjoyment |
3.7 |
6.6 |
5.5 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
5.8 |
2.8 |
5.6 |
4.4 |
5.8 |
4.3 |
3.9 |
5.8 |
| Beerishness |
6.1 |
4.0 |
5.5 |
5.6 |
3.8 |
5.6 |
4.2 |
4.8 |
4.8 |
6.1 |
5.0 |
4.3 |
5.5 |
| Slugability |
3.4 |
5.3 |
4.6 |
4.3 |
3.9 |
3.9 |
3.2 |
5.2 |
3.9 |
5.2 |
3.5 |
2.8 |
4.6 |
The Results:
I knew that a large dataset and sample size would yield the most comprehensive and accurate pumpkin beer ratings, but I also knew it would be nearly impossible to pull-off logistically. While the results were mostly useful/helpful, some users elected to express their opinion outside of the range of useful data. Ratings like "-25" on a 1-to-10 scale, have been preserve in the presented data, but removed from the averages.
There was also a distinct drop-off in data usefulness after the first 8 beers. People started to complain that the beers started to taste the same, and question whether there was ANY pumpkin beer that they actually enjoyed.
But in the end, the commitment and perserverence they showed made the tasting a success.
Now, we can analyze the fruits of their arduous labor.
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Process and Procedures
Part 3: Tasting Parameters
Part 4: Results
Part 5: Conclusions
Pumpkin Beer Taste Test 2006