Pumpkin beer is generally exclusively found in the fall and is just what it sounds like. It is beer with a hint of pumpkin flavor and sometimes pumpkin pie spices like nutmeg, ginger and allspice, according to beeradvocate.com. Out of all of the types of beer out there, it is generally one that has a stronger taste, like ales, stouts, porters, and imperials. The pumpkin aspect of these beers helps to balance out their strong taste.
Here’s a look at the different types of beers that you are likely to find in pumpkin flavor.
- Ales: Dictionary.com defines ales as beers that are generally darker, heavier, and most notably more bitter forms of beer. Ales typically have about 6 percent alcohol by volume.
- Stouts: Foodterms.com defines a stout as a beer that is a strong dark beer whose origins trace back to the British Isles. Stouts are generally brewed using dark roasted barley. Stouts typically range from 7 to 8 percent alcohol by volume.
- Porters: Porters have a slightly smoky taste, which American brewers compliment by adding additional hops, coffee, or chocolate, according to beeradvocate.com. Porters usually range from 4 to 7.5 percent alcohol by volume.
- Imperials: The term imperial was first used (in a beer sense) in the 1800s referring to beer brewed in England then shipped to the imperial court of Russia, according to thekitchn.com. Today when American brewers classify a beer as an imperial, it means that the beer is going to be bolder. Alcohol content in an imperial typically ranges from 7 to 14 percent.
Where can I find pumpkin beer?
Grocery stores generally have some of the pumpkin beers produced by bigger breweries, like Samuel Adams “Harvest Pumpkin Ale,” and most fall seasonal 12 packs have a pumpkin or pumpkin spice beer. If a wider variety of pumpkin beer is what you seek, then a more specialized beer or liquor store is your best bet.
What’s the ideal temperature?
The drinking temperature for pumpkin beer will vary. Unless the bottle serves at a specific temperature or temperature range, drink it from your fridge or at the bar and pay attention to how it tastes as it goes from nicely chilled to slightly warm. This will help you find your personal preference on temperature for each beer you try. This rule works for all sorts of beer, not just pumpkin beer.
Want to try before you buy?
Bars and restaurants that have a wide variety of draft beers will typically have at least one pumpkin beer on tap in the fall. You also can purchase single bottles of beer at many of the specialty beer and liquor stores.
About the Author