It takes some effort to make a lighter pumpkin beer that evokes the flavor and essence of fall. For years the thought of “pumpkin spiced” beers meant a dark base littered with spices, leaving a usually sweet finish.
Sketchbook wanted to try something different and starting in 2016, Cesar Marron, the Head Brewer and Managing Partner of the Evanston, Illinois brewery went to a less popular consumer style by incorporating Saison into the fall lineup instead.
“We saw the pumpkin beer market take a plunge,” he recalled six years back. “Most of us at Sketchbook were not fans of the uber-sweet and overly spiced ones we had tried, but being the adventurous brewers we were, we went against the grain and created what we wanted out of a pumpkin beer.”
The Saison, Smokey Jack, is described as drier, nuanced, and lightly spiced and Marron revealed a twist: real pumpkins smoked on pecan wood.
“The Saison strain provides some of those peppery, spice-like flavors we want in the beer, allowing us to cut down on the pumpkin spice blend,” he explained. “It also lends to a beer that starts richer and finishes with a drier mouthfeel at the end of each sip. Making it a more inviting beer to drink, especially with food.”
It’s no small feat and only one done in a small-batch capacity due to the intensive labor and collaboration. Sketchbook sources the pumpkins from local farms and works with their schedule for when the pumpkins are ready.
”We drove to get them, cut them up in half, and took the seeds out,” he said. “Then, we collaborated with Soul & Smoke in Evanston to smoke the pumpkins for us the day before the brew.”
Once smoked, it was all hands on deck as the staff was tasked with cutting the warm, sweet, and smokey pumpkins into little squares.
The appearance alone, clocking in at only 11 SRM makes it more visually appealing to some consumers.
”It is just dark enough to invoke a warming, holiday feeling as you smell the aromas of the Saison, light smoke, and the spices,” Marron said.
Smokey Jack is released to both of the brewery’s tap rooms around its area.
”I feel that our customers trust us to come and try,” Marron said. “We can also explain to those who are not quite sure they want to invest in a pint or a 4-pack.
”That said, we have had good success with releasing this beer right before Halloween and Thanksgiving and having just enough for the season.”
Sketchbook doesn’t have any plans to make any other pumpkin beer or to make a bigger batch of Smokey Jack.
”We like that it is unique,” Marron said. “Also, the idea of preparing 1,000 pounds of pumpkins for a larger batch is not very enticing.”
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