Buffalo Bill's Brewery CEO Geoff Harries and Head Brewer Mike Manty Talk Black Pumpkin Oatmeal Stout

We spoke with Buffalo Bill's Brewery CEO Geoff Harries and Head Brewer Mike Manty about Black Pumpkin Oatmeal Stout.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe? 
We collaborated to come up with this recipe.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
Geoff Harries:  I love the way the 8 percent ABV lifts the chocolate and pumpkin aroma from the glass, as well as the rich creamy texture of the oatmeal.
Mike Manty:  The higher ABV  accentuates the pumpkin spice allowing us to use a smaller spice addition, which creates a nice balance of chocolate with a smooth oatmeal character. 

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?  
Buffalo Bill's Brewery is credited with creating the Pumpkin Ale style back in 1986. With the addition of black patent malt and the almost impenetrable black color, no other name seemed to fit other than Black Pumpkin.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”  
If I had no food to eat, this would be my desert island beer.  But, if there were wild hogs to roast and micro greens and roots to gather, a good desert island beer would be our Tasmanian Devil, California Strong Ale, which is not too hoppy, estery, balanced and also 8 percent ABV.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less? 
Chocolate pumpkin pie, vanilla bean aromas and a creamy head.

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?  
Five or six years ago we pushed the grain bill with a ton of extra oatmeal and pumpkin meat. All that pumpkin clogged up the auger, which ended up burning up the primary motor. Took two days to dig out!

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?  
There's so much food already in it! If I had to, I would pair this with a giant scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

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