Pumpkin beers are a popular seasonal treat brewed by many craft beer producers across America and beyond. Big name breweries like Anheuser-Busch, Sierra Nevada, and Samuel Adams often have pumpkin ales on offer during the autumn and winter months, with many smaller craft brewers also producing their own recipes.
Some of the most popular pumpkin beers come from Shipyard Brewing Company, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Weyerbacher Brewing, New Holland Brewing Company, Elysian Brewing, and Buffalo Bill’s Brewery.
Many of these regionally brewed pumpkin beers are available in 22 oz bottles, cans and on draft. Some of the more sought after pumpkin beers, like Shipyard Brewing Company’s Smashed Pumpkin, Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Pumking, and Elysian Brewing’s Dark O’ the Moon or The Great Pumpkin, are becoming increasingly hard to find as the craft beer trend grows.
Depending on the brewery and recipe, brewers may include pumpkins, or what is known as “pumpkin pie spices” (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice) in their beer. Generally, pumpkin beers have a sweetness to them and often come in at a higher ABV.
What beer has the most pumpkin flavor?
The Schlafly Pumpkin Ale is widely regarded to be the best beer with the biggest pumpkin flavor available. This unfiltered ale is brewed with pumpkins, sweet and bitter orange peel, spices, malt, and hops.
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale’s pumpkin flavor is strong and complex, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It offers a sweet and toasty malt flavor that harmonizes perfectly with the pumpkin flavor and spices. Other popular pumpkin-flavored beers worth mentioning include Post Road Pumpkin Ale, Harvest Moon Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Southern Tier Imperial Pumpking, Terrapin Pumpkinfest, and Shipyard Pumpkinhead.
What kind of beer is pumpkin beer?
Pumpkin beer is a type of seasonal beer typically available in the fall and winter months. It is typically a light to medium-bodied beer flavored with spices and pumpkin, which is usually added in the form of purée or pumpkin flavoring.
Pumpkin beers can range from pale ales and wheat beers to lagers and stouts and are brewed with varying levels of sweetness and spices. They are often brewed with added spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and clove.
Some pumpkin beers feature added spices such as cardamom, star anise and even chili peppers. They generally have a color ranging from light amber to dark brown, and feature a sweet, malty flavor, along with some spice and hints of pumpkin flavor.
How do you get the taste of pumpkin in beer?
The best way to get the taste of pumpkin in beer is by adding real pumpkin to the beer. This can be done by using freshly-roasted pumpkin, pumpkin purée, or pumpkin flavoring. Freshly-roasted pumpkin will impart a more intense flavor to the beer, whereas pumpkin purée and flavoring can be used to provide more subtle notes.
In addition, adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice will give the beer a deeper pumpkin flavor. These spices should be added after the beer has finished fermenting and while it is still cold.
They should be steeped in the beer for several days to a week, but be sure to taste the beer occasionally so that the flavor doesn’t get too intense. Finally, brewing with pumpkin malt can also provide an additional pumpkin flavor to the beer.
Is pumpkin beer seasonal?
Yes, pumpkin beer is a seasonal beer that is brewed between late summer and early winter. Pumpkin beers are usually available in stores and taprooms from August until November or December. Many craft brewers, however, craft pumpkin beer year-round, particularly if there is consumer demand for the beer.
Pumpkin beer is made with real pumpkin, spices, and sometimes caramel and brown sugar. The addition of the pumpkin gives the beer a slightly sweet, herbal, and spicy flavor. Many pumpkin beers have notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and allspice, making it an ideal beer for the fall season.
Pumpkin beer has grown increasingly popular in recent years, leading to an explosion of different varieties of the beer. So, if you’re looking for a unique fall beer to enjoy, be sure to check for pumpkin beer.
How long does pumpkin beer last?
Pumpkin beer typically has an expiration date between 6-9 months after being bottled. This date can vary depending on the specific type or brand of beer, as well as the storage conditions, so it is best to refer to the bottle itself for specific expiration information.
You can generally tell if a pumpkin beer has gone bad if it has an off smell or flavor, or if it is flat and lacks carbonation. It’s always a good idea to stash a few cans away in a cool, dark place when you buy it, and to drink it sooner rather than later to ensure you get the most from your beer.
How is Oktoberfest beer different?
Oktoberfest beer, also commonly known as Märzens, is a type of traditional German beer that is brewed to celebrate the popular Bavarian festival of Oktoberfest. This style of beer is known for its golden color, slightly sweet aroma and robust, malty taste.
The key differentiating factor is the use of malts that are roasted in a process called decoction mashing. This technique, which originated in Germany centuries ago, involves taking a portion of the mash, boiling it and then returning it to the mash tun to increase the temperature of the overall mash, allowing the sugars to be extracted and giving the beer a unique flavor and color.
The flavor of Oktoberfest beer will usually range from lightly hopped to moderately hopped, with a underlying sweetness from the malts. In order to be labeled as an Oktoberfest beer, a beer must adhere to the Reinheitsgebot, a Bavarian purity law that stipulates that the beer must only contain malted barley, hops, yeast and water.
This stipulation is what sets Oktoberfest beers apart from other Amber or Red lagers.
Where is Schlafly beer brewed?
Schlafly beer is brewed by The Saint Louis Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1991, The Saint Louis Brewery is an independent craft brewery that produces a variety of beer styles from classic lagers to unusual ale styles.
Schlafly Beer is the brewery’s flagship brand and is the largest locally owned and independent craft brewery in Missouri. Their brewery, taproom & kitchen, and bottleworks locations make up their 56,000 sq.
ft. facility in the heart of St. Louis. The brewery produces over 50 different styles of beer, so there’s always something new to try! All of their beer is brewed in-house and according to their Founders’ strict principles of crafting a wide variety of high-quality beer.
When visiting St. Louis, make sure to make a pilgrimage to The Saint Louis Brewery and enjoy some of their delicious beers!.
What is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale?
Imperial Pumpkin Ale is a seasonal beer style, typically released during autumn. It is typically a very strong, full-bodied ale brewed with real pumpkins and a range of spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
Some Imperial Pumpkin Ales might even have additional ingredients such as vanilla and honey. The pumpkin imparts a rich, earthy flavor, while the spices add complexity and warmth to the beer. The strength of an Imperial Pumpkin Ale can vary, as some can be as strong as a barleywine.
Unlike many lighter pumpkin ales, the hop presence in an Imperial Pumpkin Ale is generally quite high, with varieties such as Cascade and Amarillo often being used. The result is a beer that is intensely flavorful, warming and even a tad sweet.
Imperial Pumpkin Ales can be seen as a real treat when found on the shelves of a local beer store, and are definitely worth trying out.
Is pumpkin cider a thing?
Yes, pumpkin cider is a thing! It’s a popular seasonal beverage that combines the flavors of pumpkin and apple cider for a delicious, slightly sweet and spiced autumn drink. Many beverage companies make pumpkin cider, generally using apple cider, pumpkin puree and a blend of warm spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice.
The most traditional version will be an unfiltered cider, meaning it has a cloudy appearance and comes with all of the natural goodness that apple cider has to offer, like with vitamins and minerals.
It can be served either hot or cold. Some brands also offer a hard cider version that has been fermented with alcohol. If you’d like to make your own pumpkin cider at home, you can blend together apple cider and pumpkin puree with the spices of your choice.
What does Shipyard Pumpkinhead taste like?
Shipyard Pumpkinhead has a very unique flavor profile. It is brewed with real pumpkin and various fall spices, creating an incredibly unique flavor combination rather than a traditional pumpkin beer.
The sweet malt backbone provides a smooth base and pairs exceptionally with the pumpkin and spices, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savory. The beer is also light-bodied and effervescent, making it a great choice to enjoy on a cool autumn evening.
To taste all of what Shipyard Pumpkinhead has to offer, enjoy the beer cold and allow its flavors to fully develop. Spicy notes of clove and cinnamon are easily detectable, accompanied by a subtle nutmeg flavor, and hints of allspice and ginger add complexity.
The sweetness from the malt and pumpkin mix together to form a delicious malty caramel note, culminating in a flavorful and enjoyable experience.
Does pumpkin beer taste like pumpkin?
Pumpkin beer does have an unmistakable pumpkin flavor, however, it’s not like the flavor of actual pumpkin. Depending on the beer, some can have a spicy, cinnamon-y flavor that blends well with the malt used in the beer.
Additionally, many pumpkin beers will have additional spices, such as nutmeg and allspice, added to the batch to really bring out the pumpkin flavor. You may also find that some pumpkin beers have a sweeter taste which is derived from the sugar that is used in brewing the beer.
Ultimately, pumpkin beer tastes like a combination of malts, spices, and pumpkin.
How much pumpkin spice is in beer?
The amount of pumpkin spice in beer depends on the specific beer being consumed. Some brewers add more pumpkin spice than others, or some may use different types of pumpkin spice blend. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to look for beers specifically labeled as “Pumpkin Spice” as these should typically have a higher concentration of the spice blend.
Additionally, the amount of pumpkin spice in beer can also vary from batch to batch due to the brewer’s preferences or style. Overall, pumpkin spice beers typically have a moderate amount of the spice blend in order to accentuate the other flavors of the beer, such as malt or hops.
How is Pumpkin Ale made?
Pumpkin Ale is a unique brew, typically produced by breweries during the Fall season. It is made by adding pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and other spices and flavorings to the wort of an Amber Ale or Red Ale.
The final beer may be further fermented with a Belgian yeast strain that adds an earthy complexity and spice.
The pumpkin puree is added to create a rich malt flavor along with a slightly sweet, full-bodied taste. The pumpkin spice and other spices provide aromatics and emphasize the malt character. Other ingredients may include, cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice.
Maple syrup, molasses, and other natural sweeteners may also be used.
Once the ingredients are added, the wort is boiled and left to cool before it is transferred to a fermenter and pitched with yeast. The yeast converts the sugars in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
After fermentation, the beer is often aged at a low temperature for a few weeks to create a more balanced flavor.
The end result is a seasonal beer that is full of pumpkin and spice flavors. The color may be orange-amber or a deep ruby color, and the aroma can range from nutty to sweet, with hints of pumpkin and spices.
The taste of Pumpkin Ale can range from a light, malty sweetness to a fuller, spicier flavor.
How long ferment pumpkin ale?
It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to ferment pumpkin ale. Depending on the specific recipe and techniques used, that time frame can be slightly different. During the primary fermentation stage, the yeast will consume the sugars from the grains and malts, and turn it into alcohol, carbon dioxide, and various other byproducts.
After that, the wort (unfermented beer) needs to be conditioned, or aged, in the secondary fermentation vessel. This secondary conditioning process usually requires at least two weeks, but can be as long as two months or more.
The length of time depends on the desired flavor profile and alcohol content. After conditioning, the pumpkin ale should be kegged or bottled and allowed two to four weeks so the flavors can develop and mellow.
Once all of the steps of the brewing process are complete, the pumpkin ale should be ready to enjoy.
What is aromatic malt?
Aromatic malt is a type of malt used in brewing beer. It is made from barley or other cereals such as rye, wheat, and oats that are steeped, germinated, and kilned. Aromatic malt is characterized by its intense dark color and sweet aroma, giving a deep red hue to the beer.
In smaller amounts of the grist, it can emphasize the hop aroma, and together with dark malts, can give the beer a sweet, malty character. Aromatic malts can also contribute flavors of honey and toast, with a taste of bread or biscuits.
It is typically used in darker beers, including English bitters and American brown ales. Aromatic malt also adds complexity to Belgian ales and can be used as a balance to higher alcohols in Tripels and quadrupels.
Is there a pumpkin wine?
Yes, pumpkin wine does exist! Pumpkin wine is most commonly made with a sweet white wine as the base and contains added spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, as well as pumpkin puree in order to give the wine its signature pumpkin flavor.
In the United States, some wineries choose to produce a pumpkin wine that has a very high sugar content and can be used as a dessert wine. Other wineries choose to balance the sweetness out with a dry, crisp white wine and even use honey or spices to replace any sugar that would normally be used.
Regardless of the type of pumpkin wine you choose, it will most likely pair well with roasted turkey, squash or a variety of other fall dishes.
What drink goes with pumpkin pie?
A traditional libation to pair with pumpkin pie is a smooth, creamy and sweet coffee. The sweet serving of pumpkin pie pairs especially well with a rich and full-bodied coffee like an espresso or cappuccino.
With a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, the pumpkin pie pairs well with any kind of coffee that has notes of cocoa, nuttiness, or caramel. The added sweetness of creams and syrups in coffee can enhance the flavor of the pumpkin pie and bring out its spices even more.
Another type of drink to pair with pumpkin pie is a cup of hot tea. The slightly bitter taste complements the sweetness of the pumpkin pie. To match the spices of the pie, try a chai tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.
For a more calming and soothing touch, a cup of chamomile tea is a great choice as well. Finally, if you want to opt for a cold drink, you can enjoy a glass of ice-cold milk with your slice of pumpkin pie.
The naturally sweet taste of the milk fits brilliantly with the flavor of the pie, and it adds an extra creamy richness.
