The Ultimate Guide to Pumpkin Beer: 11 Brews, Ranked From Worst to Best
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We consider Kennebunkport Brewing Company Pumpkin Ale ($1) a bridge between beer and cider, as it's somewhat sweet and has a tame finish. The beer noticeably blasts you with pumpkin spice scent and flavor due to natural flavor added into the finished ale. Yep, that's what gives it the seasonal touch. We'd expect that in snacks, but added to beer, it just seems sacrilegious. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
There's no doubt Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat Ale ($8 for four) contains pumpkin, from its funky gourd scent to the starchy-sweet flavor. However, the lack of spices and the sharp finish knock it back a few stars. We'd sip this at a party, but it's not our go-to autumnal beer. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
For truly exceptional pumpkin beer, turn to Howe Sound Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale ($14), a malty, chocolate-rich, strong beer with pronounced notes of barley, freshly roasted pumpkin, hops, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Chances are Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin ($8) is not what you expect; while it brings a high alcohol content to the table (at 9 percent alcohol by volume), it tastes undeniably girly with a sweet pumpkin finish. READ: Craft-Beer Pairings for Five of Your Favorite Halloween Candies (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Malty and dark with savory notes that remind us of soy sauce, Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Beer ($8 for six) is mild on the spice (it's most apparent on the nose) yet still screams fall. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Most people think sweet and malty when it comes to pumpkin ale, but not Uinta Brewing Company’s Punk'n ($10). Hoppy, bitter, earthy, and dare we say savory, this take on pumpkin ale is worth exploring with your taste buds. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Despite being a strong beer (it clocks in at 8.5 percent alcohol), Samuel Adams Fat Jack ($6) is surprisingly easy drinking. Rather than delivering a knock-you-out boozy kick, it warms you gently while bringing a concentrated, slightly syrupy pumpkin flavor to each sip. PHOTOS: Beertails: Good for What Ales You (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Buffalo Bill's America's Original Pumpkin Ale ($8 for a six-pack) is an amber-style ale brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Though the pumpkin and spices are subtle on the nose and palate, many tasters consider this a coveted thing. With a full body and slightly bitter finish, it's a beer we'd like to drink throughout the fall. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
Shipyard Pumpkinhead ($10) smells like apple picking in fall and has a distinct pumpkin flavor, frothy head, light(er) body and slight bitterness. However, the most interesting feature is the petrol finish. Gassy may be a weird way to describe fermented beer, but think of it this way: It's a sought-after scent in Riesling wine. The brewing company recommends rimming a pint glass with cinnamon sugar, and we can't wait to try that. This beer doesn't taste serious. It's good but not fussy, and we like that. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
If you love kombucha's tanginess, Timmermans Pumpkin Lambicus ($12) is likely the pumpkin brew for you. Light in alcohol (like all lambics), sweet, sour and well spiced, it's an easy beer to love. (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)
We'll attempt to contain our excitement over Dogfish Head Punkin Ale ($11 for four). The brown ale brew has a cult following among hip beer drinkers, and for good reason: It's a very unique rendition of pumpkin spice. The caramel scent, sweet malty flavor, delicate trace of pumpkin, and nutmeg-brown sugar finish make this almost better than pumpkin pie. Almost. READ: Cooking With Beer: 3 Recipes to Infuse With Your Favorite Brew (Anna Monette Roberts, POPSUGAR)