Fall is the time when foodies can be divided into one of two types: those who love pumpkin flavor and those who simply despise it. Fortunately for beer lovers, the former outweighs the latter type – which is the reason pumpkin beer sales are up 15 percent over the past three years. A decade ago you'd be hard pressed to find a half dozen creative offerings, but these days there's enough of a selection at your average supermarket to crush a greedy enthusiast.
You won't hear me complain about that – even though, to the novice, the number of variants can be overwhelming. There are Belgian-style pumpkin beers, coffee pumpkin beers, pumpkin ciders and even pumpkin barleywines, to name a few.
To help you navigate through the plethora of "pumpkiny" products, which are generally produced in late summer for consumption beginning after Labor Day, I've compiled a list of my personal favorites. It includes many different styles of craft beer, so you'll be able to find one that fits your preference. For an added bonus, I've made some season-based pairing suggestions.
I'll confess that there's no doubt I've left a popular pumpkin beer or two off the list, but I couldn't get them all – that would've required 60,000 words at least, and my editor wasn't that generous with space! My goal was to keep the list short, sweet and – of course – pumpkiny.
RICHARD CHRISTY'S LIST OF GREAT TASTING PUMPKIN BEERS
Midnight Sun Trickster Pumpkin Ale – This Belgian-style pumpkin ale from this Alaskan brewery is perfect for Belgian beer geeks like me. If you love Leffe Blonde and are looking for a pumpkin beer that doesn't hit you over the head with spices, then this is your beer! I would pair it with Mellowcreme Pumpkins.
Boulevard Funky Pumpkin – This is an amazing sour pumpkin beer from a Kansas City brewery that's perfect for those late September, early October days when the weather is still a bit warm and you need a nice refreshing beer. Drink it during Kansas City Royals baseball games, like I do. I'm a huge fan. Boulevard Funky Pumpkin pairs great with Sour Skittles.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale – I recall this as being one of the very first pumpkin ales I ever tasted – a yummy pumpkin ale that's not too strong. In fact, it's a great entry-level pumpkin beer for the curious neophite. Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione had a TV show on Discovery Channel a few years back called "Brew Masters" that featured Punkin Ale, and I recommend you check it out! Dogfish Head Punkin Ale pairs deliciously with Mike and Ike.
Elysian Punkuccino Coffee Pumpkin Ale – If you're like me and love a nice Sunday morning run, then reward yourself with a delicious coffee ale before noon (It's 5 o'clock in England then – right?). Seattle's Elysian has many different types of pumpkin beer, all of which are great, but this one is the perfect mash-up of coffee, pumpkin and beer flavors. Pairing it with pumpkin-shaped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is sinful.
Troegs Master of Pumpkins – Drink this beer just becase of the name – especially if you're a metalhead like me –which seems to be a tribute to the classic Metallica album "Master of Puppets." This beer is smooth with a nice blend of pumpkin and spices without being overwhelmingly pumpkiny. It goes great with pumpkin yogurt pretzels.
Cigar City Good Gourd – This Tampa, Fla., brewery's pumpkin beer has plenty of spices for all of you pumpkin pie lovers. With an 8.5 percent alcohol by volume, this beer is a great sipper to pair with your candy corn! If you have a chance to drink it at Tampa's Halloween celebration Guavaween, I'm sure it will taste even better! Pairs great with Halloween cupcakes.
Samuel Adams Fat Jack – An amazing imperial pumpkin stout with a cool and foreboding label, this double pumpkin ale has plenty of spices and pumpkin deliciousness that will have you humming John Carpenter's "Halloween" theme for hours on end. A sliceof rich chocolate cake makes for a perfect pairing.
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale – Weyerbacher Imperial is a deliciously boozy ale with a rather high ABV, making it a great beer to enjoy by the fireside while listening to classic vinyl. Take a sip and then a bite of a Kit Kat, and you'll see what I mean.
Allagash Ghoulschip Pumpkin Sour – If you can find this beer, buy it! This extremely rare pumpkin sour is not only insanely delicious, it's also extremely rare because it's made in the Allagash coolship room on Halloween night. That's why I've only had it once and it's become known as the Haley's Comet of beer. To keep the sour theme going, I'd pair it with Sour Patch Kids!
Saranac Pumpkin Ale – This is what's known as an "easy-drinking" pumpkin ale that's perfect for those long days out in the pumpkin patch. The New York state brewery's offering is smooth with just a hint of pumpkin and goes down great with old-fashioned popcorn balls. You may have hated them as a kid but now that they are not sticking to everything else in your trick-or-treat bag, you'll thank me for the suggestion.
Hardywood Rye Whiskey Barrel Pumpkin – This beer is definitely a sipper. Enjoy it for its subtle hints of Jim Beam whiskey and spicy, barrel-aged pumpkin while taking in the delicious nose. Be warned, though: it's not an easy beer to find outside Virginia. Pair it with a nice steak and finish off with a little pumpkin pie, and you're good to go.
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale – This delicious pumpkin pie-flavored ale from the St. Louis Brewery goes great with cinnamon-dusted pumpkin seeds!
Avery Rumpkin – Don't just sip this beer, enjoy its smell for a while! With a 15-18 percent ABV, Avery Rumpkin is boozy but without sacrificing its seasonal craft taste. This is one of those beers you save for Halloween day, not only because of its strength but also for its rareness. It pairs great with Pumpkin Spice M&Ms.
Southern Tier Warlock – An imperial pumpkin stout, this beer is like a mix of pumpkin and black licorice – totally unique. But with a label that rules, it's no surprise that the taste does too! It pairs perfectly with Twizzler Black Licorice Twists.
Wolaver's Organic Pumpkin Ale – Here's another easy-drinking low-ABV ale that's perfect for a long night of greeting trick-or-treaters. You can pretty much taste the freshness of the pumpkins in this Vermont beer, so it pairs perfectly with leftover Halloween candy!
Bruery Autumn Maple – This s my go-to beer each Thanksgiving. Made with yams rather than pumpkins, this beer is the very essence of fall, perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving! It pairs great with beer-braised Thanksgiving turkey!
Southern Tier Pumking – This is hands-down my favorite beer – ever. Just think of it as pumpkin pie in a bottle with its perfect notes of pumpkin and spices. For an extra Halloween treat, try the Rum Barrel version that's been aged for a year. Both pair perfectly with pumpkin pie while you take in a scary film – as long as it's John Carpenter's "Halloween!"
Happy Halloween and Happy pumpkin beer drinking!
Richard Christy is a radio personality, musician and longtime beer lover. He can be reached on Twitter @cwotd.
