Think all pumpkin beers are one-note ales not good enough to drink on any night that you’re not dressed up like a zombie or slutty nurse? Think again.
We found four pumpkin ales that might surprise you in the long run.
Rum Pumpkin, Hardywood Park, Richmond Va.
This farmhouse ale is aged in rum barrels, so the pumpkin takes a back seat to the spiced rum. And it knocks you on your tush at 10.5 percent ABV. Hardywood.com
Pumpkick, New Belgium, Colorado (and maybe Asheville soon)
You think you’re drinking a standard pumpkin ale and then you get hit with notes of cranberry for a bit of excitement. Well played New Belgium. Well played. Newbelgium.com
Pumpkin Ale, Pisgah Brewing, Asheville, N.C.
Okay, this is a more traditional take on the pumpkin ale, with a strong pumpkin pie thing going on, but really the nutmeg hits you harder than the pumpkin. Overall, it’s not as sweet as you’d think, considering they use 900 pounds of fresh pumpkin guts. Pisgahbrewing.com
King Don’s Pumpkin Ale, Catawba Valley Brewing, N.C.
We’re talking spicy, like sexy devil costume spicy. Seriously, don’t open this beer looking for something sweet. You might even have a hard time tasting the pumpkin here. catawbavalleybrewingcompany.com
Not into pumpkin? Check out these fall seasonals that eschew pumpkin all together.
Follow Graham Averill’s adventures in drinking and Dad-hood at daddy-drinks.com
