by Brian Wall
Fall is a special time of year. There is a plethora of increased flavors and spices that do not come out the rest of the year. Winter will also invite a cornucopia of warmer flavors and heavier beers that are higher in calories, alcohol content and in different flavors for some. Autumn does offer a nice assortment of flavors and varieties due to harvesting of fruits and vegetables.
The biggest flavoring for autumn beers and in most Oktoberfest-style beers is pumpkin. Ahh, pumpkin. The visage of warm pie, Jack-o-lanterns and a fireplace can easily fit into the mind when picturing a nice round, full orange pumpkin. One beer that is inundated with the spirit of pumpkin was sampled recently- Post Road Pumpkin Ale.
This beer is brewed by Brooklyn Brewery from New York. Brooklyn Brewery started brewery beer in 1988 and they have come out with some rather decent beers. The Pumpkin Ale is based on early Colonial beers made from pumpkins when wheat, barley and other grains needed an extra addition from fresh ingredients. The beer is 5% ABV for a nice increase but not overly-alcoholic for those that just enjoy a beer without the extra increase in alcohol. Bottle is nicely carbonated and poured with a good foam head. Color is a beautiful caramel hue with a scent of pumpkin and spice.
While it was refrigerated to a very chilled 45, it was sampled at 65. Some beers are better experienced at a warmer temperature than what is normally expected. This beer was definitely one of those for optimal flavor. The pumpkin spice explodes on the first sip with a clinging flavor of pumpkin from start to finish. Carbonation hangs on for quite some time with the flavor continuing on.
Each season just offers a great assortment of beer flavors that can only be experienced during that time. Whether it be some spice, fruit or different ways of making the beer, we are definitely able to allow unique insight apart from other beers. it would be suggested to go out and find some of these seasonals before the winter beers hit the market and you need to sample those.
Sláinte.
