This is mostly an extract-based recipe, though there is a short mash/rest with the pumpkin and malt. Use this recipe as-is or as a basis for experimentation.

Yield: 5 gallons of beer with an (approximate) alcohol by volume of 6 to 8% (depending on mash efficiency, use of brown sugar/molasses, amount of pumpkin, etc.).

6-10 pounds of pumpkin, roasted, do not use canned pumpkin
1 pound of Vienna malt, 4L
½ pound crystal malt, 40L
½ pound malted wheat
6 pounds light or amber malt extract
1 cup brown sugar (optional)
½ cup molasses (optional)
1oz Mt. Hood hops (boiling)
½ ounce Hallertauer hops (finishing)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground Bisschopswijn Mulling Spices
Wyeast 1056, American Ale, or 1272, American Ale II

Roast the pumpkin in the oven, similar to cooking squash; cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces, remove all the seeds, remove flesh from the skin after roasting. Place skin side down in a shallow baking pan and add a bit of water to the pan. Roast in a 325° oven for about an hour or until soft.

There’s two ways you can incorporate the finished pumpkin: a partial mash-style method or simply a soak with the grains as the water heats. For the soak method, simply add the pumpkin and the grains to your pot of water then put it on the heat to boil. When it boils, remove the pumpkin and grains.

For the partial mash, add the pumpkin and grains to hot water (ideally you want this mash to settle at 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit) and let rest for an hour. Sparge the pumpkin wort from the mash, and add to your brew kettle. (Note: if you don’t have sparging equipment, so this removal is simply via a wire strainer.)

Add the malt extract (6 pounds is for dry, you could easily get away with 7 pounds if it’s syrup), optional brown sugar and molasses, Mt. Hood hops and boil for 1 hour. After 45 minutes, add the finishing Hallertauer hops. At the very end of the boil add the vanilla and Bisschopswijn spices. Adding them to the boil any sooner will essentially nullify their flavor and aroma contributions.

Ferment for 1 week, or until primary fermentation settles down, and rack to a secondary for 2 more weeks. The secondary fermentation is not strictly necessary but for clarification and for letting the flavors mellow. You might also add the spices at this stage for a more pronounced presence. Bottle, priming with ¾ cup of corn sugar and drink after a couple of weeks.

About the hops, Mt. Hood is a nice spicy, slightly sweet hop (a variant of Hallertauer) that seems to complement this beer well. For finishing, you don’t have to stick to Hallertauer, play with it a bit. Cascade might be a nice finish, or if you want to reduce the hop bite, omit the finishing hop altogether.