Today marks the first day of autumn. For the blissfully unaware who have tuned out the essence of pumpkin spice dominating grocery aisles, your favorite menu items and your great aunt’s potpourri basket, the time is nigh to indulge until we’re all pumpkin-ed out by Thanksgiving. As shadows grow longer and sweaters come out of storage, a cold pint of spicy, seasonal cheer can be the perfect warmer for nights in (or out). We’ve rounded up six pumpkin brews to stock in your fridge this season.
1. Elysian Brewing Company Night Owl Pumpkin Ale (Seattle)
ABV: 5.9 percent
Highlights: Each batch is loaded with 7.5 pounds of pumpkin, plus ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice. Throughout the brewing process, each batch is peppered with an additional dose of our star ingredient, including roasted and raw pumpkin seeds and even more pumpkin mash.
Enjoy: While marathon-ing your favorite Halloween and/or horror films, with ample snacks between sips (spiced pumpkin seeds or buttery, cinnamon sugar-dusted popcorn, anyone?).
2. Alaskan Brewing Company Pumpkin Porter (Juneau, AK)
ABV: 7.0 percent
Highlights: Brown sugar, spices and Alaskan’s signature alder-smoked malt give a boost to massive amounts of pumpkin in this imperial porter—reminiscent of an early fall campfire in the nose-nipping evening air.
Enjoy: Per brewers’ suggestions, this brew pairs well with the works at the Thanksgiving table. Or, opt for smoked meats and cheeses.
3. Rogue Farms Pumpkin Patch Ale (Independence, OR)
ABV: 5.6 percent
Highlights: This seasonal Rogue creation sports the “GYO” label (“Grow Your Own” in Rogue-speak). Using Rogue Farms ingredients “from patch to batch,” brewers combine trademark hops and barley with Oregon-grown “Dream Pumpkins,” complimentary spices and a dash of vanilla bean.
Enjoy: Brewers’ orders: pair with a pork-centered dinner, followed by your favorite dessert.
4. Black Raven Brewing Co. Harbinger Strong Pumpkin Squash Stout (Redmond, WA)
ABV: 7.4 percent
Highlights: Black Raven does away with pie spices for a surge of pure, farm fresh pumpkin (plus squash!) A pitch dark, high-ABV cornucopia in a glass.
Enjoy: Seattle locals have another reason to look forward to this year’s Halloweekend (hint: this beer is released on October 31). Browse the website for area distributors, or stop by the Redmond taproom for a pint.
5. Steamworks Brewing Company Pumpkin Ale (Vancouver, BC)
ABV: 6.5 percent
Highlights: A hefty 100 pounds of BC-grown pumpkin, mashed with pumpkin pie spices for a very British Columbian Thanksgiving season.
Enjoy: Beginning early fall, ask for it in BC liquor stores and taprooms.
6. Laurelwood Brewing Co. Pumpkin Ale (Portland, OR)
ABV: 7.2 percent
Highlights: For one,the label is adorable (a top-hat-clad jack o’lantern)—but take into account the pumpkin, squash and custom blend of pumpkin pie spices, and you’ve got a killer amber strong ale that dazzles the senses with autumn’s best. Full-bodied up front, with lingering spice and malt.
Enjoy: Preferably in full costume and full festivity mode.
