Beer: Pumpkin ales
Brewers love to celebrate the seasons, and people love things made from pumpkins. Smell a match made in heaven? We scoured shelves filled with pumpkin beers to find the best companion for your carving session this weekend.
Brewery: Dogfish Head
Beer: Punkin Ale
ABV: 7%
Pumpkin character?:
Like most good things, these pumpkin flavors come to those who wait. Instead of throwing out an initial nutmeg blast, smooth fall flavors unfold calmly after several sips.
Other flavors?:
Cinnamon, caramel and brown sugar drop in to say hello, and all play well with hints of Dogfish's trademark hoppiness.
Better than pumpkin pie?:
Pretty close. This beer should bring out the best in your favorite seasonal dessert.
Rating: 3 stars
Brewery: Thirsty Dog
Beer: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 5%
Pumpkin character?:
Brewers add five varieties of caramelized pumpkin to each batch, but the flavor didn't really pack a punch. A pumpkin whiff appears, then quickly vanishes.
Other flavors?:
Subdued pumpkin flavor might entice those who tire quickly of these kind of ales, but it didn't have much else going on.
Better than pumpkin pie?:
Not even close. Stick with Thirsty Dog's year-round offerings like Old Leghumper.
Rating: 2 stars
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Beer: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 8%
Pumpkin character?:
Brewed with only pumpkin-paired spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves), Weyerbacher's brew has no real pumpkin flavor.
Other flavors?:
It's more like a quality Scottish ale, with a hearty bitterness and only a miniscule hint of pumpkin-pie-inspired spices.
Better than pumpkin pie?:
Not a liquefied replacement for the sweet treat, but it's certainly a well-developed ale.
Rating: 3 stars
Brewery: Southern Tier
Beer: Imperial Pumking
ABV: 9%
Pumpkin character?:
The brew is made with a pumpkin puree, so an abundance of pumpkin flavor is present.
Other flavors?:
Southern Tier's signature intense flavors are muted by pumpkin, but you know you're sipping a top-quality craft beer.
Better than pumpkin pie?:
Despite tasting more like a pumpkin cookie, it's just as good. Though the sweetness (and ABV) might get to you after a couple swigs.
Rating: 3 stars