Cheers to Pumpkin Beers!!

Have you ever tried a pumpkin beer before? Do you like pumpkin pie? If you haven’t had the chance to try a pumpkin beer and youre a fan of pumpkin pie, you are REALLY missing out. 

Being released as a fall seasonal, pumpkin beers are actually quite varied.  Some brewers use actual pumpkins while others use pumpkin puree/flavoring.  All of these pumpkin ales are usually brewed with the same kind of spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and many more.  You usually cant tell the difference.  I am a HUGE fan of pumpkin beers…While you’re having pumpkin pie for dessert, I will be indulging in the liquid version of pumpkin pie.

We have three amazing pumpkin beers on draft currently at work.  Here is my two cents: 

Griffin Claw Screamin’ Pumpkin

For those of you that haven’t heard of Griffin Claw, they are a new brewery out of Birmingham, MI.  Griffin Claw was established in 2012 and they have gained popularity and public awareness EXTREMELY fast for a brewery.  Many of their different beers have won numerous metals for best beer in many different competitions.

Photo Taken by Scott Swartz

Ok, enough of the facts and onto the interesting stuff about Screamin’ Pumpkin…This beer literally tastes like a piece of warm pumpkin pie.  Coming in at 5% ABV (alcohol by volume), it is more of a “session beer,” meaning you can drink more than one of them without feeling like you’re gonna fall off your bar stool.  However, it is a one-and-done for me, as it is on the heavy side (Heavy meaning very spice-ful).  I think this is one of those beers I could drink on Thanksgiving or Christmas as well. 

New Belgium Pumpkick

New Belgium is a well-known brewery out of Colorado.  You have probably heard of their beer by the name of “Fat Tire,” which is their staple.  The ABV on this one is 6% and it has a very interesting flavor that is not like any other pumpkin beer.  It is actually brewed with cranberry juice, which gives it a very interesting after-taste and is one of my least-favorite pumpkin beers because of that.  Don’t let my personal opinion resist you from trying it, though…it is very popular.

Photo Taken by Scott Swartz

Alaskan Pumpkin Ale

I saved the best for last…this one is one of my favorite pumpkin ales.  Out of Juneau, Alaska, this is another new brewery established in 2013 that is gaining publicity at an alarming rate.  But, for a great reason: they brew AMAZING beer.  It is one of my newly favorite breweries. 

Photo Taken by Scott Swartz

This is the first year they have brewed the Pumpkin Ale.  The dominant flavor I taste in it is nutmeg, which makes it give the impression that you taste real pumpkin.  Coming in at 6% ABV, it is another one of those that you can drink more than one of…It is not very heavy.

Now that you're familiar with the best pumpkin beers around, its time to try!  Stay tuned for next weeks beer update!