It’s fall and you know what that means, pumpkin everything! From coffee to ice cream to potpourri, it’s hard to step outside and not get a whiff of this seasonal gourd. And what better way to celebrate pumpkin season than with a delicious craft beer? With so many pumpkin beers to choose from, we figured we’d give you a list of some of our favorites, so you can celebrate the season the right way!
New Belgium Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin – 6.4%
New Belgium is known for their Voodoo Ranger IPA and they’ve done a wonderful job incorporating a rich pumpkin flavor into this seasonal spinoff. It’s not your typical “tastes like pumpkin pie” beer, no, no. This delightfully-spiced brew adds Saigon cinnamon and peppers like habanero, aji, and Chile de árbol for an explosion of flavors that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Saint Arnold Pumpkinator – 10.5%
Judged the best pumpkin beer in America at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival, this Texas brewery is on to something – and it’s delicious. This imperial stout is a rich, dark, malty treat overflowing with molasses, brown sugar, pumpkin spices, and enough pumpkins to bake 437 pumpkin pies, according to the brewery.
Dogfish Head Punkin – 7%
Not a big fan of overly pumpkin-tasting beers? Dogfish has you covered with this full-bodied brown ale highlighting smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. Dogfish Head brews this ale with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar, and spices, ending with a surprisingly refreshing finish. It’s released in early September and usually sells out by Thanksgiving, so get yours now.
Brooklyn Brewery Post Road Pumpkin Ale – 5%
Brooklyn makes their wonderful colonial style pumpkin ale using a touch of spices and pounds of real pumpkin for a surprisingly crisp spin on the traditional pumpkin ale. This easy drinker pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving turkey and all the sides.
Ballast Point Pumpkin Down – 5.8%
Ballast Point is known for their award-winning beers and experimental styles. Pumpkin Down is no different. The brewery uses the caramel and toffee maltiness of their Piper Down Scottish Ale as the perfect backdrop to the roasted pumpkin they’ve incorporated into the seasonal variety of the brew. Just before bottling, a small amount of spices are added to complement (but not overwhelm) the pumpkin flavor, resulting in a highly drinkable glass of gourd.
