Enticing Pumpkin Spicing: A Beer List

If I had to pick three things that I love most (not counting friends, family, and my girlfriend – the regular stuff), Kansas State football and soccer would have to be two of them. The other: Pumpkin beer. Somehow, the world decided that all of these loves re-emerge in the Fall each year, a decision I support with a fervor that I can’t drum up for anything else.

Every Fall, I make a quick run around to all the the local breweries and craft beer sellers to nab as many of my favorite Pumpkin releases and at least a bottle of everything new I see – it’s a very expensive time for me. Here are my top 10 Pumpkin Ales that I’ve tried (so far) to save you all some time and money. Perhaps enough to donate to send me back to Manhappenin’ for a K-State football game – you know, if you feel so inclined.

1. Humpkin Pumpkin Ale – 93

Humperdinks Texas LLC; Dallas, Texas

• This doesn’t hide the pumpkin flavor like some of the more stout pumpkin beers do, and has some nutmeg spice for a great reminder that Fall is here.

2. Yumkin Pumpkin – 91

Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria; Wichita, Kansas

• Did I advise the head-brewer here to brew a pumpkin beer a few months before this was released for the first time? I did. Do I know if that had any effect on their decision? No. No, I don’t.

3. Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 90

Uinta Brewing Co.; Salt Lake City, Utah

• Dark amber appearance. Strong pumpkin flavor, with hints of pie spices. A bit boozy, but only to keep you warm on a cool Fall tailgate.

4. Post Road Pumpkin Ale – 88

Brooklyn Brewery; Brooklyn, New York

• Toasted, biscuity malts, just enough pumpkin to be delicious. There’s a tiny bit of spiciness and fizz in the mouthfeel. Extremely enjoyable.

5. Punkin Ale – 87

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery; Milton, Delaware

• This beer is famous for good reason. When the bartender rings the glass with brown sugar, it will take you to a good place.

5. Imperial Pumpkin Ale – 87

Weyerbacher Brewing Co.; Easton, Pennsylvania

• Spice forward aroma – really delves up the pumpkin pie salivation. The flavor also pretty much nails the pumpkin pie flavor; well balanced and just a hint of booze.

5. Harlot’s Harvest Pumpkin Ale – 87

The Pike Brewing Co.; Seattle, Washington

• A darker pour than many pumpkin ales and a lighter spice aroma with the malts being leaned on more. The flavor isn’t too sweet and is relatively balanced but, overall, it loses a bit of momentum in the mouthfeel. Harlot’s texture doesn’t last too long in your mouth, which makes it go down easy but could leave you wanting more.

8. Pumpkin Lager – 86

Lakefront Brewery, Inc.; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• A light copper color, and good spice in the aroma. It might lean a little heavily on the nutmeg, but really that’s a good one to lean on aroma-wise. Mildly sweet, with the common pumpkin spices in the flavor. A bit lighter than some of the other pumpkin beers.

9. Baked Pumpkin Ale – 85

Lancaster Brewing Co.; Lancaster, Pennsylvania

• The aroma is almost artificial, with strong vanilla and pumpkin spices. This ale is properly named because it tastes just like you’re eating a baked pumpkin pie. The spices are the strongest flavor, with the realization that it’s a beer coming midway through your drink. A guilty pleasure for me.

9. Schlafly Pumpkin Ale – 85

Saint Louis Brewery/Schlafly Tap Room; Saint Louis, Missouri

• This is the first pumpkin beer I ever tasted. Despite being tied for 9th, it’s probably my most commonly drank pumpkin ale as well. When I drank this beer, it opened my eyes to what you could really do in brewing – the flavor is just like a pumpkin pie, but doesn’t taste artificial at all like some others trying to mimic the taste accurately.

9. Pinchy Jeek Barl – 85

Anderson Valley Brewing Co.; Boonville, California

• A very solid pumpkin ale. The aroma is a little of cinnamon bourbon with the sweetness and spices. It’s flavor is spicy followed by toasty and is pretty satisfying.

 

And hey, just because I love Pumpkin ales doesn’t mean I have to love them all: Here are my bottom two:

Patterson Pumpkin – 67

Full Tilt Brewing Co.; Baltimore, Maryland

• Very boozy aroma. Tastes more like an IPA to me and doesn’t really have much pumpkin spice in the aroma or taste. I’ve heard some people like this one, but I disagree with those people.

Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale – 60

Anheuser Busch, Inc.; Saint Louis, Missouri

• I mean, this one is ranked last out of around 50 pumpkin ales I’ve tried, so need I say more? I don’t believe they are brewing it anymore. Good choice because it doesn’t even whisper pumpkin in aroma or flavor.

Sorry to disappoint anyone that feels Southern Tier’s Pumking or Warlock were overlooked. While I like Warlock quite a bit, they just didn’t make it into the top rankings – but at least they weren’t in the bottom either, right?