Hail to the Ale
Autumn Beer Review
6/10
With October upon us, the leaves turning brilliant oranges, reds and yellows, and pumpkin patches rearing up for Halloween, another seasonal item is sure to please those who enjoy this time of year—autumn brews. Seasonal beers are so plentiful, it’s almost impossible to distinguish one from the other. It’s no surprise they’re one of the brewery’s favorite batches to whip up. Pumpkin Ales and Oktoberfest brews have been around since before the Constitution. Since there are such a wide variety of choices, you may wonder what sets one apart from another. With a full stomach and a cleansed palette, I set out on the daunting task of differentiating between these dense, syrupy beers.
Post Rd. by Brooklyn Brewery - “Mmm… tastes like pumpkin pie,” was the first sentence out of my mouth, as I gulped down the bottle of Post Rd. The label claimed to put real pumpkins in each keg for fermentation, so I was eager to taste a true to flavor Pumpkin Ale. Unfortunately, that promise of liquid pumpkin pie with a five percent alcohol by volume (ABV) was squashed after the first few sips. Tasting artificial and eventually losing all its pumpkin essence, this Brown Ale becomes too heavy for its own good and almost impossible to finish. It’s blasphemous to say I wanted spill it out and forget the incident ever happened, because no college student should waste, so I passed it around to my friends, a lot.
Brooklyn Oktoberfest - When you pour Brooklyn Breweries’ take on Oktoberfest, the dark brown color can make a discerning taster filled to the brim with trepidation. When a beer claims to be an Amber Lager on the label, yet is considerably darker in the glass, it will make any drinker worried. Fortunately, bad advertising is the only drawback for this Marzen—the German name for this very ethnic beer. Like a punch in the face, Brooklyn packs a wallop into a 12oz. bottle. A few of these at 5.5 percent ABV and you’ll be doing the polka in lederhosen.
Harvest Moon - With the increasing popularity of Blue Moon, the Coors Brewing Company has been gaining back the respect of the Rockies. Yet, by presenting their seasonal brew. Harvest Moon, the generic, watered down taste is back. Pouring out a copper-orange color, the light body carries over to the taste. Lacking the spiciness that makes this type of beer unique, Harvest is perfect for those who drink the company’s signature product—Coors Light.
Smuttynose Brewing Company, Maibock - Part of this New Hampshire-based brewer’s limited 22 oz. “Big Beer” series, this fall seasonal is the best of the bunch. With a one inch, long-lasting head (a rarity these days), it has the appearance of liquid gold in a pint glass, and an enchanting ABV of 7.7%. Smuttynose delivers a semi-sweet beer to rival the best. This Maibock is so frothy that it’s impossible not to have a beer mustache while slowly sipping on it—a mustache I’d happily wear.
Saranac Pumpkin Ale - Produced right here in New York State, this creamy brew is the perfect balance of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and pumpkin. Its dark amber color and fizzy head were a delight to all my senses. The most agreeable out of the slew of liquid desserts I’ve tried to date, it truly is “as enjoyable as pumpkin pie,” as the label touts. For Thanksgiving, bring a few six-packs home and try to swap it for the original at the dinner table. Drunken relatives are always a good time.
Saranac Octoberfest Lager - A perfect accompaninent your favorite bratwurst and sauerkraut dish, Saranac delivers an utterly sublime seasonal lager. Brewing has been in their family since the seventeenth century, and it started with this traditional German selection. Combining the perfect blends of Saaz and Tettang hops with just the right amount of malt and the slightest hint of caramel undertones, this dark copper beer can please even the most particular of tastes.
Southern Tier Harvest Ale - Brewed in Western New York, Southern Tier has the most refreshing take on the fall selections. Instead of an amber or brown, this local brewery breaks the mold with a light and hoppy American Pale Ale. A true hop-devil, it leaves a citrus and pine aftertaste. So crisp you feel you can bite into it, this beer is only for those who appreciate the bitterness of a true brew and can distinguish between skunk and fresh barley.
Most of these beers go down so smooth you won’t be counting how many you’ve had, so get trashed and enjoy the fall equinox.
