“Fall” Into the Season with Seven New Brews

Autumn is right around the corner and soon the leaves will be changing color. The temperatures are dropping and big, fat turkeys are already running for cover. This is my favorite time of year for drinking beer. 

While the summer brews dwindle from the shelves, a new round of heavier, complex beers are making a comeback.  Malty Oktoberfests and spicy pumpkin ales are here and, in my opinion, better than in previous years.

With platefuls of homemade food on the horizon, my thoughts turn to what beers I will be bringing to these family affairs. Most seasonal beers are made to pair well with holiday dishes, so thinking about how the malt or spice will complement the dish is pretty easy. And while my guests tend to bring bottles of wine, I try to encourage them to bring their favorite beer instead. Sharing mixed and matched fall beer is a wonderful way to taste and learn about new brews.

Oktoberfests are generally brewed with a variety of German malts and present with a toasted, warm flavor. These beers are not made to be sipped; they are made to be consumed in hearty gulps, so drinkability is an important factor. And because they are generally brewed for immoderate consumption, keeping the alcohol level in check is also vital.

While Pumpkin Ales are somewhat self-explanatory, these beers actually date back to colonial times. Brewers used pumpkin instead of malted barley (malt was generally in scarce supply) to create spicy, flavorful recipes.

Seasonal beers are sometimes overlooked due to their “specialty” feel and unique flavors. But I think these limited brews provide a great opportunity for beer drinkers to experience a brewer’s true creativity.  Most will cellar well, so you can store and enjoy them from year to year.
There are many fall beers hitting the shelves this year and I was fortunate enough to get a sneak preview of quite a few great brews.

Dogfish Head’s “Punkin” Ale
Dogfish Head’s “Punkin” Ale is a surprisingly delicious beer. It smells like natural pumpkin and subtle spices and it tastes even better. It presents with a nice combination of pumpkin and spices on the front which was slightly sweet. It doesn’t feel at all heavy in the mouth and has almost no bitterness or linger on the back. I recommend this refreshing beer for any first-time pumpkin ale drinker as it’s smooth enough to be really drinkable, but not too pungent. Punkin would pair nicely with turkey, roasted duck or lamb.

Brooklyn’s “Post Road” Pumpkin Ale
Brooklyn’s “Post Road” Pumpkin Ale is an effort to bring the tradition of brewing pumpkin in place of barley malts to a modern day ale. Its golden amber color has a slight head when poured that settles very quickly. Post Road has a very spicy aroma with just a hint of pumpkin. Delicate spices with a faint sourness fill the taste buds throughout this seasonal ale, but don’t coat the mouth or linger. Post Road would be a great accompaniment with almost any holiday dish.

Schlafly’s “Pumpkin Ale”
Schlafly’s “Pumpkin Ale” is a bounty of scent and taste. It pours into an orange-amber color with a decent head. One sniff fills the nose with pumpkin pie – allspice, cinnamon and clove. The front is sweet with a strong “right-out-of-the-oven” pumpkin pie flavor. The back is slightly bitter and briefly lingers…but not for too long. It’s a great beer for drinkers who really like a sweet pumpkin taste. This beer is a dessert unto itself, but would also be great with freshly baked bread.

Starr Hill’s “Festie”
Starr Hill’s “Festie” is an amber-colored homage to Oktoberfest lagers. It’s a lighthearted beer with a refreshing feel. Festie is a light-amber lager with a medium body. I enjoyed the subtle toasted malt aroma and flavor with just a hint of orange.  It’s really drinkable and wouldn’t overpower a hearty meal with complex flavors.

Legend Brewing Company’s “Oktoberfest”
Legend Brewing Company’s “Oktoberfest” is a powerhouse Oktoberfest lager. Its aroma is a little deceiving as it presents a tame mix of toasted malts. But, when you take the first sip, this unassuming lager gives a one-two punch of complex bold flavors and earthy goodness.  I didn’t notice any bitterness and the toastiness lingers with almost residual warmth. I would love to drink this beer with a meat loaf sandwich on thick toasted bread.

Old Dominion’s “Octoberfest” Maerzen
Old Dominion’s “Octoberfest” Maerzen is another Oktoberfest that is on the light side and drinkable. It pours into a nice, fluffy head and clear amber color. It tastes and smells like bread with a hint of toasted malt.  For a lighter beer, it’s pretty chewy and coats the inside of the mouth. While not as bold as the Legend brew, this is a very drinkable beer which would pair with traditional Oktoberfest fare like wiener schnitzel or bratwurst.

Left Hand’s “Oktoberfest”
Left Hand’s “Oktoberfest” is a light and tasty lager with a deep amber color and fluffy head that settles pretty quickly. The aroma is yeasty and malty – like warm, fresh bread right out of the oven. Malts are featured in this brew and are just a little toasted with a touch of bitterness.  It’s very drinkable and would pair nicely with a juicy roasted chicken.

Whether you love the traditional sourness of Brooklyn’s Post Road or the “pumpkin-pie-in-a-bottle” taste of Schlafly, there is sure to be a fall brew that will fill your belly with the warmth of the season.