Pumpkin and Spice Makes Fall Beers Taste Nice — Thoughts on Pumpkin Beers
With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas upon us there is a plethora of pumpkin flavoured things hitting the market. The Beer Industry is no exception.
By Shira Kogut on Oct. 06, 2016
It’s true that there has been a drastic decrease due to public backlash against pumpkin beers, but these are the flavours of fall and they make leaving summer a little easier to swallow. I’m throwing another log on this flaming fire: Pumpkin or no pumpkin that is the question?!
Pumpkin Beer: Exploring Flavours Beyond Boring
I think one of the things that I love the most about the craft beer industry is the creativity that goes into brewing. People say that food tastes better when it’s made with love well I think beer tastes better when it’s made with passion and creativity. Creativity means trying new combos, different flavours and hoping it pays off. Yes, I know there are many beer purists out there who just want their beer plain and simple and that is also okay, but I like a little spice in my life and am grateful for this wonderful time of year when the fall flavours come out.
Pumpkin Beer: Festive for Fall
I love a little pumpkin in my beer along with some of its delicious spice combos like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. To me all these flavours just symbolize that fall is here and make welcoming winter a little bit more palpable. I sometimes wonder whether it is the pumpkin people are actually against or the “let’s jump on the bandwagon” mentality of everyone coming out with the same thing at the same time rather than being creative and original as the craft beer industry is meant to be. I’d love to add other fall flavours to the mix… maybe an Apple Pie Beer with apple and cinnamon flavours? Or how ’bout Cranberry Craziness a really nice tart and sour beer? My last suggestion Grandma’s Sweet Potato Pie Beer with hints of allspice, sweet potato and nutmeg. Now, of course, to a beer purist none of these ideas are acceptable, as they are off the traditional map, but I say no harm in being different. Remember…you are unique like everyone else 😉
Pumpkin Beer: #DrinkLocal
The other reason I support pumpkin beers is that the craft beer industry is intricately tied to the local movement which is about supporting local industries. It just makes sense to use locally-sourced products that are in season which are all of the above items. So far this year my two favourite pumpkin beers have been:
Alley Kat’s Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ale
A little sweeter and stronger on the spice flavours
Yukon Brewing’s Pumpkin Ale
Less spice and more of a tart pumpkin flavour
Video: 2 Dudes and a 6 Pack — Best Pumpkin Beer Recommendations
Pumpkin Beer: Stealing the Oktoberfest Spot Light
As Jason van Rassel of The Daily Beer’s The Great Pumpkin Ale Debate points out one thing that really ticks him off about the pumpkin beer trend is that it takes the stage away from Oktoberfest beers. I totally agree with him on this point, Oktoberfest beers do get pushed to the side and that is a travesty! While I enjoyed Calgary’s Oktoberfest tremendously, I know I was disappointed to not find 1 Oktoberfest beer. So maybe next year let’s rock the stage with both of these seasonal favourites!
Still not into Pumpkin Ale? There’s still a place for Pumpkins and Beer for you too!
If I haven’t convinced you that pumpkin ale is worth a try I’m sure you are not adverse to celebrating Halloween… show-off your beer geekery with these great pumpkin carving ideas that incorporate beer for your Halloween party.
For more seasonal beer fun, check out these posts below:
The Best Beer Halloween Costume Ideas
What’s #drinklocal and Why is it Important?