Halloween Day by Day: Parallel 49 Shadenfreude

Jay recently suggested that I avoid reviewing any beers produced by this week's brewery- due to reports of a toxic work environment within the company. I asked myself if it was possible for a company that produced toxic feelings within it's staff to produce a non-toxic beverage...

I must confess that I found the label to be kinda lackluster. I do like the font used- as it hints a the Germanic origins of the brew's name... but was left wondering WHY they went with that particular name... and what did a pumpkin headed scarecrow have to do with it?

Maybe it was because the company execs took pleasure in the toxic environment they fostered- revelled in the sexist, racist, and transphobic comments, etc reported to be frequently uttered by managers, supervisors and the like.

Or maybe, as the name suggests (taking pleasure in the misfortune of others), they found it amusing and entertaining to contemplate the customer's reaction to tasting this concoction...

I liked the colour- which is a nice, deep amber. You could almost imagine the pumpkin taste to it.

If you're expecting a pumpkin taste that is...

There is no sense of proportion, harmony, or balance in the flavors in this brew. With the first sip, I was overwhelmed and overpowered by the strong, wince inducing punch of nutmeg. Just nutmeg. I couldn't taste ANY other thing. Not the pumpkin, not the cinnamon, not the ginger, not the all spice. Nothing. Just nutmeg. It also had a rather gritty texture to it- as if they didn't bother to filter out the actual nutmeg. I managed a total of three sips before throwing up.

A very poor trick or treat, I'd say. The disharmonious, foul taste seemed to echo and reflect the reports of the harassment that occurred in the company's workplace.

Shit company, shit beer, shit rating.

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