Only a few years ago, fall beers were woefully uncommon. There might have been one or two perennials, but that was about it. Fortunately, today, the market is filled with them. But with so many choices, which fall beer should you pick?
Devoted Weird Wanderers that we are, my husband and I decided to take one for the Halloween team and review a few of these autumnal favorites. (He did, however, want me to note that this project took us over a month, meaning we did not sample a dozen beers in one night).
So here is Part One of our Best of Fall Beer Roundup. As always, availability of these brands will vary based on region; check the brewery’s website for more details.
Great Lakes Oktoberfest
Earlier this year, I reviewed Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Lake Erie Monster, a versatile beer that’s great for summer cookouts but would be equally palatable for the fall (note to Great Lakes: please turn this into a year-round selection). Oktoberfest, a Vienna lager, is a nice middle-of-the-road choice but doesn’t quite live up to its Monster predecessor. However, as far as fall beers that omit even a hint of pumpkin, this one is among the best.
Southern Tier Warlock
On the other hand, Southern Tier Warlock boasted the most pumpkin flavor out of all the beers sampled. A well-spiced and highly sweet Imperial Stout, Warlock is great for pumpkin devotees but probably wouldn’t win many fans among those who are still on the fence about fall beers. Warlock’s dark malty flavor contrasts well with Southern Tier’s Pumpking, a lighter but equally enjoyable offering.
Troegs Hop Knife Harvest Ale
Based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Troegs Brewery handcrafts the delightful Hop Knife Harvest Ale, a hop-heavy ode to the fall season. An American IPA, Hop Knife foregoes a focus on pumpkin in favor of autumnal spices. Out of the beers sampled, this was our favorite. While Troegs recommends enjoying Hop Knife with garlic, onion, and ginger, the flavor is so versatile that it will be easy to pair with almost anything.
Saranac Pumpkin Ale
Like Oktoberfest, Saranac Pumpkin Ale is a terrific middle-of-the-road choice. It would also be an ideal “starter beer” for those still uncertain about a certain orange fall crop invading their alcohol. The spices, in particular cinnamon, are strong but not overpowering and help to balance the flavor, making it the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Join us tomorrow for the second half of our Fall Beers spotlight!
Happy haunting!