Proclaiming you love pumpkin beers is a bit like saying you love “colors” or “weather”: Flavor-wise, this year’s crop of gourd-inspired brews are all over the map, but we’re sure there’s at least one in the patch you’d pick.
If you like real pumpkin…
Terrapin Pumpkinfest
Harnessing the real (almost stinky, in a good way) earthy pumpkin, this brew has an authentic gourd flavor with brushes of cinnamon, nutmeg and a nice toast finish.
If you like pumpkin pie…
Anderson Valley Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale
A soft mouthfeel and full, sweet pumpkin flavor harken the texture and taste of pie flling, while a touch of bitterness clips the swallow clean.
If you like dessert…
Pennsylvania Brewing Pumpkin Roll Ale
Our favorite brew of the bunch, the aroma is like vanilla body lotion; sweetness endures throughout this liquid pumpkin cinnamon roll; you can almost taste the vanilla icing.
If you like cranberry…
New Belgium Pumpkick
A pleasant, round pumpkin flavor gets a special tart kick from cranberry juice.
If you like rum…
Avery Rumpkin
While this 18.5%-ABV brew could use a time-out in the cellar to mellow, today, the rum-barrel aged pumpkin ale muscles through the mouth with tart cherry, leather and a hot liquor tail.
If you like roasted pumpkin seeds….
21st Amendment He Said He Said Pumpkin Porter
The cinnamony, smoky aroma takes you to a Halloween bonfire; on the tongue, the roasted malt supports toasted pumpkin and nutmeg spice.
If you like to rim your beer glass…
Dogfish Head Punkin
This quiet, caramel-forward brown ale hints at pumpkin flesh and earthy spice, like nutmeg and mace. A cinnamon rim (kind of an East Coast thing, no?) is the perfect addition to this toned-down seasonal.
If you like pumpkin bread…
Elysian The Great Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale
A candylike pumpkin flavor headlines this brew, but breadiness in the flavor gives the swallow some weight; a prickly finish cleans up the sip, assuring you’d never know you’ve just tasted an 8.0%-ABV brew.
If you like fall-scented candles…
Grand Canyon Pumpkin Springs Porter
The potpourri of fall in the aroma leads to a chocolate-sweet sip that hosts the spices of the season, like anise, coriander and cinnamon.
If you like Chardonnay…
Uinta Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale
Aged in oak barrels, this soft pumpkin ale tastes like a chardonnay spiced-up with licorice, vanilla and loads of oak; the 10% ABV isn’t noticeable at all.
