Pumpkin Beer?

It's officially September, or the kickoff to Pumpkin Spice Season. Everyone knows that girls in particular treat the seasonal revival of the pumpkin spice latte with equal or more excitement than Christmas/birthdays/meeting Ryan Gosling. Starbucks isn't the only company making a killing on autumn inspired beverages; craft beer also loves pumpkin spice, and so do I.

But here's the thing, I have a Twitter, and lately some of those in the craft beer community have been dissin' pumpkin beers on the Twittersphere. Why? How is it that we put nutmeg and allspice in coffee and people lose their minds, and when we put it it beer it's a joke? I say stop the double standard and don't listen to the snobs (or if you really hate pumpkin spice then don't listen to me at all).

Pumpkin spice beers are a seasonal treat and you may find some to be delicious, but it's a matter of preference. Do you like a flavor explosion of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and even real pumpkin puree in a drink? Or do you prefer the beer first and infusions later? There is no right answer. The overarching theme to liking a variety of beer is trial and error and success. If you buy an Ichabod Ale from New Holland Brewery and decide it's too overwhelming, try a subtle Pumpkick from New Belgium. Brewmasters from all parts of the world have uniquely incorporated "flavors of the season" into their brew, and they pride themselves in their ingenuity. AKA: all pumpkin spice beers are not the same.

There are lists all over the internet ranking "The Best" pumpkin beers (or lists shaming pumpkin beers), but use them as a guide, not as the final word. This list, from 2012, tells you what flavor to expect in these widely acclaimed pumpkin beers:
http://www.beerinfo.com/index.php/pages/bestpumpkinbeers.html

I will mention, that my favorite fall beer didn't make the "Top 10" cut. I'm not a huge fan of excessive allspice, and prefer a subtler hint of the season. My solution: the aforementioned Pumpkick from New Belgium Brewing Company! It's different, but oh-so-good. There are refreshing hints of allspice, nutmeg, and cranberry without the flavors being too overwhelming. It's like a sensible Thanksgiving dinner in 12 ounces and for a fraction of the calories. Plus, at $1.69 for a bottle at my local beer store, it's essentially risk free. 

But as LeVar Burton says in Reading Rainbow "you don't have to take my word for it." Go find out if you like some of the pumpkin spice beers or if they all make you puke. Read some labels as you muster up the courage to ask the wise beer store sensei for advice. You may discover you like pumpkin spice in your beer almost as much as you love it in your nonfat latte.

Go buy some pumpkin spice beer. Starbucks will be there when you get back, I promise.