Pumpkin Beer: Where To Buy The Best Seasonal Brews

Pumpkin beer is a popular seasonal beverage, perfect for the transition from summer to fall. It is a type of beer that is typically made with real pumpkin and a variety of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Pumpkin beer can be purchased online from retailers such as Craftshack and BeerMenus, as well as from specific breweries like Oyster Bay Brewing Company and Blue Moon Brewing Company. Some pumpkin beers are also available for purchase in-store, depending on the region.

Pumpkin beer online

With autumn in the air, it's the perfect time to curl up with a spiced, sweet, and toasty pumpkin beer. Pumpkin beers are typically brewed with real pumpkin and fall spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, creating a warm and cosy flavour profile.

Where to Buy

You can find a variety of pumpkin beers online at retailers like Total Wine & More and Southern Tier Brewing Company.

Brands and Varieties

Shipyard

The Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin Ale is a popular choice, known for its big flavours and festive light orange colour. It's best enjoyed at 55 degrees, as suggested by the brewery. Another option from Shipyard is the Pumpkinhead Ale, a seasonal offering with a hazy wheat base that's both crisp and warm with pumpkin spice.

Elysian

Elysian offers a Pumpkin Pack with a variety of beers, including Punkuccino, which blends Stumptown coffee with pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a perfect seasonal flavour. Other beers in the pack include The Great Pumpkin, Night Owl, and Dark O' The Moon.

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams, or Sam Adams, offers the Harvest Pumpkin Ale, a reddish amber ale with real pumpkin, deep roasted malts, and subtle spices. They also have a Beer Fest Variety Pack that includes the Jack-O Pumpkin Ale, Octoberfest beer, Flannel Fest, and Hoppy Lager.

Southern Tier

Southern Tier's Pumking Ale is a well-known favourite, featuring rich sweetness, a dry finish, and notes of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. It's consistently rated as one of the top pumpkin beers.

Rogue

Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale is a specialty brew that roasts its own pumpkins, brightened with orange peel and vanilla. It has hints of caramel and cocoa, along with the typical pumpkin spice aromas.

Blue Point

The Blue Point Mother Pumpkin Ale is a perfect complement to any cold-weather activity, featuring real pumpkin puree in a beautifully amber-coloured ale.

Flying Dog

For a stronger option, try the Flying Dog The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, which has 9% alcohol and tastes like a spiced-up pumpkin pie.

Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is a full-bodied brown ale with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and brown sugar flavours. They change up the packaging design each year, making it a fun seasonal treat.

Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a well-balanced beer that uses real roasted pumpkins in the mash, ensuring a well-rounded flavour without an overload of spice.

Stock Up for the Season

While many pumpkin beers are only available seasonally, their delightful flavours make them worth seeking out and stocking up on for the year. So, whether you're looking for a fan favourite or a small-batch brew, there's a pumpkin beer out there to warm your autumn nights.

Pumpkin beer in-store

Pumpkin beer is a popular seasonal offering, typically released in the fall. Many breweries offer their own take on the pumpkin beer, with some including real pumpkin and fall spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Here are some pumpkin beers that you can find in stores:

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin Ale

This beer is a festive, light orange-colored ale with aromas of pumpkin and nutmeg. It is suggested to be enjoyed at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Elysian Pumpkin Pack

Elysian Brewing is a Seattle-based brewery that has hosted an annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival for the last twenty years. Their Pumpkin Pack includes four beers: Night Owl, Punkuccino, The Great Pumpkin, and Dark O' The Moon. Each beer has its own unique blend of spices and pumpkin, with some including other ingredients such as coffee and vanilla.

Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale

This reddish amber ale is a perennial favorite, with real pumpkin adding a full body and sweetness. Deep roasted malts give it a toasty finish, while subtle spices round out the flavor profile.

Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale

Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale is described as "tasting like autumn." It includes real Dickinson pumpkins and warm spices like nutmeg. This seasonal beer is only available from August through November.

Cigar City Good Gourd

Cigar City Good Gourd is often considered the gold standard of pumpkin beers. It tastes like liquid pumpkin pie, with spices like cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla. It has an ABV of 8.5% or 8.8%, depending on the source.

Lexington Brewery Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale

Lexington Brewing is the only brewery/distillery combo along the iconic Bourbon Trail in Lexington, Kentucky. They are also recognized as one of the first to brew and package a barrel-aged pumpkin ale for retail. Their Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale includes locally sourced pumpkins and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It has a high ABV of 10%.

New Belgium Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin

New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger IPA is one of their best-selling beers, and they have released multiple variants, including the Atomic Pumpkin. This beer adds a spicy twist to the traditional pumpkin flavor by including cinnamon and peppers like habanero, aji, and de árbol. It has an ABV of 6.4%.

These are just a few examples of the many pumpkin beers available in stores. Be sure to check your local liquor store or specialty beer retailer to explore the full range of options!

Pumpkin beer in Texas

If you're looking for pumpkin beer in Texas, you're in luck! There are several options to choose from, whether you're looking for local brews or something from further afield.

Local Texas Pumpkin Beers

Texas has several local breweries offering pumpkin-infused beers. One popular option is the Nightmare on 1st Street Pumpkin Ale from No Label Brewing Co. in Katy Texas. This imperial amber ale is part of their "Off Label" series and is infused with pumpkin, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice, making it a festive choice for those cooler months.

Other Texas-based breweries to try include Karbach Brewing Co. with their Krunkin' Pumpkin beer, Lakewood Brewing Co. with their Punkel Pumpkin Pie Dunkel, and Infamous Brewing Company with their unique Pumpkin Massacre Ale, which one taster described as smelling like Thanksgiving dinner!

Pumpkin Beers from Further Afield

If you're looking for a wider selection or something different, there are also many pumpkin beers available in Texas that are brewed in other states. Total Wine & More, for example, offers a range of pumpkin beers, including:

• Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin
• Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale
• UFO Pumpkin Ale
• New Belgium Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin
• Harpoon Dunkin Pumpkin
• Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
• Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale
• Wasatch Black O' Lantern
• Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale
• Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
• Great Divide Pumpkin Ale
• Elysian The Great Pumpkin Ale
• Nebraska Wick for Brains Pumpkin Ale
• Wasatch Pumpkin Ale

So, whether you're looking for a local Texas brew or something from further afield, there are plenty of pumpkin beer options to choose from in the Lone Star State!

Pumpkin beer in Illinois

Pumpkin beer is a popular seasonal beverage, with many varieties available in the fall months. Here is a guide to some of the best pumpkin beers available in Illinois:

Pumpkin Smasher from Big Muddy Brewing Company

According to kegerator.com, this is Illinois' best pumpkin beer. Brewed by the Big Muddy Brewing Company in Murphysboro, IL, Pumpkin Smasher is made with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices, giving it hints of natural cinnamon and nutmeg. It has an alcohol content of 6%. While it may be harder to find in stores, it is worth seeking out for a taste of Illinois' best pumpkin beer.

Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale

This "colonial-style" pumpkin ale is brewed by Brooklyn Brewery and distributed in Illinois and 33 other states. It includes real pumpkins and warm spices like nutmeg, delivering a cozy autumnal vibe. With a crisp finish and a biscuity malt center, it is the perfect beer to enjoy during the fall season.

Great Divide Pumpkin Ale

For a well-balanced pumpkin beer, Great Divide's Pumpkin Ale is a great option. This beer is available in Illinois and 27 other states. It has a strong, roasty, toasty background thanks to its unique malt combination. The brown sugar, pumpkin, and spice notes make it a perfect fall beverage without being too sweet or cloying.

Flying Dog The Fear

With a terrifying name and a high ABV of 9%, Flying Dog's The Fear is a spice-forward imperial pumpkin beer. It is available in Illinois and 22 other states, as well as Washington, D.C. So if you're looking for a scary-good time, grab a glass of The Fear and embrace THE FEAR!

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale is a classic pumpkin beer and a great gateway to the world of pumpkin beers. It is a full-bodied brown ale with a truckload of brown sugar, warming spices, and pumpkin meat. This beer is available nationwide, so you can easily get your hands on it in Illinois.

So, there you have it! A selection of pumpkin beers to enjoy in Illinois this fall. Remember to drink responsibly and savor the flavors of the season!

Pumpkin beer in Delaware

If you're looking for pumpkin beer in Delaware, you're in luck! Several breweries and restaurants in the state offer this seasonal beverage. Here are some places where you can find and enjoy a delicious pumpkin beer:

Big Oyster Brewery

Located at 1007 Kings Hwy. in Lewes, Big Oyster Brewery offers Shuckin' Pumpkin Ale, a perfect autumn beverage with a pronounced caramel flavor and dark notes. This ale has a 5.6% ABV and features flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Blue Earl Brewing Co.

Head over to 210 Artisan Drive in Smyrna to sample Blue Earl Brewing Co.'s Ain't Superstitious, an imperial pumpkin ale and yam beer. This seasonal brew offers a unique combination of cinnamon, maple syrup, nutmeg, and spice with an 8% ABV and 15 IBU.

Crooked Hammock Brewery

For a unique twist on pumpkin beer, visit Crooked Hammock Brewery at 36707 Crooked Hammock Way in Lewes. Their Jav-O-Lantern is a smoked pumpkin coffee ale, infusing real pumpkin smoked over cherrywood with sweet smoke, spice, and roasted coffee flavors. It has a 7.4% ABV and 17 IBU.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

At 6 Cannery Village Center in Milton, you'll find the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, serving up their Punkin Ale. This full-bodied brown ale is made with pumpkin meat, brown sugar, and spices, perfect for warming up during the cooler months. It has a 7.0% ABV and is available annually from August to November.

Fordham and Dominion

If you're in Dover, Fordham and Dominion at 1284 McD Dr. is the place to go for their Spiced Harvest Ale. This light amber-colored ale is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, clove, allspice, and pumpkin, with a 6.5% ABV and 20 IBU. Enjoy it on draft or in 12 oz. bottles.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

With multiple locations in Delaware, including downtown Newark, Wilmington Riverfront, and Rehoboth Beach, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant offers not one but two pumpkin beers. Their Pumpkin Ale is a seasonal brew with spices, real pumpkin, and hints of vanilla bean (5.5% ABV, 30 IBU). They also have the Royale Gourd, a stronger pumpkin/yam beer with molasses and Belgian candy sugar (10.5% ABV, 25 IBU).

Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co.

For a creative take on pumpkin beer, Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co. in Newark is the place to go. Their Sex and Candy Corn is a pumpkin ale (6.5% ABV, 25 IBU) topped with classic fall spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Their taproom is open Wednesday through Sunday, offering a range of seasonal and creative brews.

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