Cheers To 7 Of The Best Local Pumpkin Beers
It’s National Drink a Beer Day. So, why not partake of the seasonal suds, if you plan on celebrating? ‘Tis the season for throwing cinnamon, allspice, ginger. and nutmeg into…
It's National Drink a Beer Day. So, why not partake of the seasonal suds, if you plan on celebrating? 'Tis the season for throwing cinnamon, allspice, ginger. and nutmeg into everything and calling it pumpkin or pumpkin spice. The combo obviously works because the masses eat it up, literally... and drink it up! So, a toast is in order. Cheers to 7 of the best local pumpkin beers!
Thanks to wickedlocal.com I discovered a bevy of beers bursting with the flavors of fall. Take a look and take a sip at these favorite beers that makes us feel warm all over with pumpkin goodness. Take a look and take a sip at these favorite beers that makes us feel warm all over with pumpkin goodness. Each one of these fine hops represents New England proudly and cures what ales your thirst for flavor.
Why drink any beer this season, when you can enjoy and support our best local pumpkin beers. I mean, they only come out once a year. It really does make it special when you know you can only partake of these tasty brews in the Fall. Did you know that using pumpkins in beer dates back to colonial times? Ales pair so well with Fall foods from meals to desserts. Nothing tastes better than a cold pumpkin beer with a spicy chili. Ok, now I'm hungry. And thirsty.
If you haven't tried any of these local pumpkin beers, consider ordering one when you are out this weekend. It's a win win. And you know you can always ask to test before you commit. Cheers to Fall and all the fabulous flavors of the season.
1. Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale
Shipyard Brewing Company is a family owned brewery based in Portland, ME
Have you ever had a Pumpkinhead? It's described as "a crisp, refreshing wheat ale with delightful aromatics and subtle spice flavor." This ale is a celebration of seasonal flavors. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. It's suggested that you rim your pint glass with sugar and cinnamon for the full effect.
2. Fresh Patch
Fresh Patch is brewed in Worcester, MA at the Wormtown Brewery
They use hundreds of pounds of local pumpkins and mingle them with super secret spice recipe. This 4.5% ABV seasonal ale is described as a "medium bodied ale with a fresh pumpkin pie aroma, complemented with the perfect amount of spice" (wickedlocal.com)
3. Cake! Pumpkin Coffee Cake Beer
Brewery: Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company, Framingham
Is it a dessert or a beer? You decide. According to the brewer, Exhibit A, this one takes the cake. It's a pastry beer with coffee and pumpkin spice coffee cake. Their website describes the autumn ale brewed with cinnamon and vanilla beans, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice coffee cake from My Grandma’s of New England. Double local! It also has hints of light roast coffee from Share Coffee Roasters. I can't wait to try this one!
4. UFO Pumpkin
Brewery: UFO Beer Company, Boston
This tasty can of suds is made with pumpkin puree. UFO's Pumpkin is a blend of seasonal spices. There is a subtle sweetness in that real pumpkin puree. This medium bodied ale has "lingering notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, according to their website.
5. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton,NH
Smuttynose points out that using pumpkins in brew dates back to colonial times and our rich New England history! This ale is brewed with real pumpkin and traditional spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove and is described as a hearty, balanced brew full of fall aromas, but not overwhelming.
6. Nightshift Brewing-Pumpkin Pie Scraper
Brewery: Night Shift Brewing, Everett
Brewed right here in Massachusetts, the 6.5 ABV pumpkin ale embraces the season with vanilla, spices and maple syrup. We're told it tastes like you are drinking a pumpkin pie. There are notes of cinnamon, of course, plus candied yams and brown sugar.
7. Cambridge Brewing-The Great Pumpkin Ale
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company, Cambridge
Charlie Brown fans will get this reference in a cleverly named brew. The Great Pumpkin Ale, a 5.4% ABV, is "brewed with 180 pounds of fresh, locally grown, organic sugar pumpkins in each 10-barrel batch. The subtle, fresh pumpkin flavor is enhanced by the addition of traditional autumn spices." (wickedlocal) That's a lot of pumpkins.
