Sweet Potato Souffle Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Ale

Sweet Potato Souffle Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Ale, Odd Side Ales, Grand Haven, MI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 94)

Copper, burgundy colored pour. Nose is hit with aromas of candied yams, cinnamon, and sweet rye whiskey. Tastes of sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted marshmallow glaze. The booze is prevalent at 11% abv and has a nice spicy rye whiskey finish. A tasty sensory overload!

Habanero Sculpin

Habanero Sculpin, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 89) 

Ever since I had my first beer brewed with peppers, I was a fan. I'm just amazed at how "foodie" beer has become. Pours a clear orange with a very thin head. First waft past the nose and the pepper aroma is apparent. Not so much that it burns the hair in your nose, but just enough to let you know its in there. Mild grapefruit citrus in there as well. Taste starts with a nice grapefruit sweetness that gives way to a developing, lingering habanero pepper burn that stays through to a dry finish. Delicious!

Indra Kunindra

Indra Kunindra, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 95)

I'll be honest here. I didn't even read the entire label on this beer until just before opening it. I assumed "India-style export stout" might be a hopped up stout. I was wrong...very wrong. Just before opening, I read the description at the bottom of the label, in very small print, which read "Stout with Madras Curry, Cumin, Cayenne, Coconut & Kaffir Lime." I remember thinking this was going to be one very interesting beer. I found out as soon as I opened it and was hit with a waft a curry, a very distinct aroma. Pours a deep, dark brown with a mocha-colored head. Curry and other Indian spices overtake the nose. Flavors other than curry did come out in the taste. The cayenne pepper gave off a little heat. Toasted malts and coconut sweetness with a little hint of the lime toward the end. Finishes with a tangy spice.  One of the most intriguing beers I've had in a while.

Beware of the Dog Series: St. Nikkilaus Spiced Christmas Ale

Beware of the Dog Series: St. Nikkilaus Spiced Christmas Ale, Black Husky Brewing, Pembine, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

Dark burgundy pour with a thick, foamy, tan head that stays for a while before fading. Immense holiday spices on the nose. Caramelized sugars, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon. The aromas come through in the taste as well. The Christmas spices, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, lead the way. Sweet toasted malts and brown sugar round out this beer. Complex flavors. Full bodied. Just like with pumpkin beers, if you like spices, you'll love this one.

Fistmas Ale

Fistmas Ale, Revolution Brewing Company, Chicago, IL
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 91)

On this Christmas Eve, I toast you this fine holiday beer. Dark reddish-amber pour. Aromas of pine, ginger, spices, oranges.  Tastes of holiday spices, ginger, caramel, orange peel, and underlying malt sweetness. Smooth with a bit of a hoppy finish. Very nice Christmas ale.  Merry Fistmas!

Thumbprint Series Spiced Ale

Thumbprint Series Spiced Ale, New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, WI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 94)

Another great beer from New Glarus' Thumbprint Series. Clear copper pour with a light, white head. Pleasant aromas of caramel, toffee, cinnamon, and ginger spices at the nose. Cinnamon and ginger spicesup front on the taste. Toasted malts, caramel, and a touch of bitterness. Nice little spicy burn at the finish. Great balance of the sweetness and the spices. I'm so very lucky to live in Wisconsin and be able to drink New Glarus' beer. Friends outside of WI, be jealous or come visit!

4 Elf Winter Warmer Ale

4 Elf Winter Warmer Ale, Dark Horse Brewing Company, Marshall, MI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 94)

With Christmas fast approaching and temperatures in the singe digits here in Wisconsin, it's a perfect time for Winter seasonals. Like pumpkin and Fall beers, Winter seasonals are brewed with rich malty flavors, spices, and usually enough alcohol to warm you up. This spice/herb/vegetable ale pours a hazy, dark, burgundy with no head and no lacing. Aroma is full of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa. Those same spices come through in the taste along with dark fruit and roasted malts. Creamy and smooth with a subtle finish. Cheers!

Autumn Maple

Autumn Maple, The Bruery, Placentia, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 93)

This was my dessert from Thanksgiving. This Belgian-style, Fall seasonal from The Bruery pours a nice reddish brown with a nice, but quickly dissipating head. The aroma is full of spice, sweet yams, and malts. The taste is a complex mix of pumpkin spices, sweet yams, molasses, with a slightly sour finish. The balance between sweet and sour is very nice. A great choice for the holiday.

Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale

Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA

This Fall season pours a deep copper, brown with a thick off-white head. Aroma is strong with pumpkin spices. cloves, nutmeg. cinnamon, and caramel. Taste is not as strong as the aroma. Definitely more subtle and smooth. Pumpkin spices and sweet malts come through. A nice creamy mouthfeel. A good pumpkin ale.

Alaskan Pilot Series: Pumpkin Porter

Alaskan Pilot Series: Pumpkin Porter, Alaskan Brewing Company, Juneau, AK
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

I haven't had many pumpkin beers yet this year. This one pours pitch black with an off-white head. Great spicy, pumpkin aroma with vanilla. Tastes of pumpkin, spices, roasted malts, and brown sugar sweetness. Modest and subtle, but full of flavor. Great pumpkin beer!

Lakefront 25th Anniversary Series

Lakefront 25th Anniversary Series

To commemorate and celebrate their 25th year, Lakefront Brewery from right here in Milwaukee, WI, will release 4 special beers. The first beer was released on the brewery's actual birthday, December 2nd.

25th Anniversary Series #1: Imperial Stout, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Imperial Stout, Rated 97)

What a way to start this 4-beer series. This imperial stout pours pitch black. Aroma hits you with cocoa and cherries. Full creamy body with a robust flavor that starts with the cocoa, followed by the cherries, and finishing with a touch of vanilla and finally a bit of roasted coffee. So very smooth.  A really excellent stout!

25th Anniversary Series #2: Belgian-Style Apricot Ale, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Fruit Beer)

The second of the 25th Anniversary beers pours a nice golden, orange. Has a nice fruity, apricot, wheat aroma. Taste has an apricot sweetness mixed with a mild hop spice and a slight tart finish. The Belgian qualities are evident. Very smooth, refreshing, and delicious! This one could be a definite Summer drinker!

25th Anniversary Series #3: Imperial Pumpkin, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

When I heard that the third beer in Lakefront's 25th Anniversary series was going to be an Imperial Pumpkin, I was excited. Lakefront's Pumpkin Ale is one of their most popular seasonals and one of the better pumpkin beers that I've had. So what did they do? They took their pumpkin ale, added additional spices and vanilla, then aged it in brandy barrels. This beer pours a dark orange. The aroma is spicy, caramel sweet, with a subtle notion of the brandy. The taste is spicy, sweet pumpkin pie with cinnamon and nutmeg that is followed by vanilla sweetness and finishes with a nice brandy warming. This is my first pumpkin beer this season and already going to be tough to beat. Amazing!

12 Beers of Christmas (Redux)

The very first themed beer list I have ever done is being done again. In 2010, I presented to you the 12 Beers of Christmas. Friends had asked me this year if I was going to do a holiday themed list again. In my travels, I had found a few Christmas/Holiday beers that I had not tried the first go around. Soon, I had the requisite number of Christmas beers (at least 12) to bring this list back.

12 Beers of Christmas (Redux)

Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale, Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA
(Amber Ale)

Many breweries change the recipes for their Christmas/Winter seasonals each year. The 2012 version of Abita's Christmas Ale is definitely different. Pours a nice, dark, reddish, brown. Aroma is of roasted nuttiness, nutmeg, and what smells like juniper. Taste isn't far off the aroma. Roasted malt and nuts, a hint of sweet caramel, and juniper hops. Very reminiscent of Abita's Jockamo IPA, which I am not a fan of.

Shiner Holiday Cheer

Shiner Holiday Cheer, Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, TX
(Fruit Beer)

Pours a reddish, brown color, almost like wine and very clear. On first smell, I actually thought this was fruit juice. Huge sweet peach aroma. Taste was disappointing. Not nearly as much fruit coming through the flavor as in the aroma. Kind of bland. Too much fruit and not enough beer for me.

Ebenezer Ale

Ebenezer Ale, BridgePort Brewing, Portland, OR
(English Strong Ale)

Reddish amber pour. Not a lot to the aroma with some malt and spices. Taste is underwhelming. Some mild spices and caramel malt notes. Little bit of fruitiness. Hops come out in the finish. All in all, I felt this one Scrooged on the aroma and flavor.

Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO
(American Strong Ale)

Darker brown in color with a nice malty nose. Aroma has some caramel. Taste of sweet malts and caramel with a spicy bitter finish. So far I've been disappointed with my initial choices.

Winter Ale

Winter Ale, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, PA
(Brown Ale)

Dark brown pour with a quickly fading light brown head. Malty aroma with some brown sugar and floral notes. Taste is malty with a little caramel. Not a lot of flavor.

Our Special Ale 2012

Our Special Ale 2012, Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 95)

Nice dark burgundy pour. Aroma of spice and dark fruitiness. Taste of roasted nut, spices, and dark fruit, raisins. Very smooth and creamy.

Santa's Private Reserve

Santa's Private Reserve, Rogue Ales, Newport, OR
(Amber Ale, Rated 93)

Pours a nice amber color with a reddish tint and a cakey head. Floral hop aroma with a touch of sweet caramel and an earthy quality. Flavor starts off with hops and spice. The bitterness fades to a smooth malty, caramel finish. Excellent! Thanks for sharing, Santa!

2XMAS

2XMAS, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY
(American Strong Ale, Rated 93)

Nice deep, reddish-amber pour. Spices are abundant in the aroma, with cinnamon, nutmeg, and others. Those same spices come through in the flavor along with a mild maltiness. The alcohol comes through in the finish, warming the throat. Excellent seasonal from Southern Tier!

Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 93)

This offering from Great Lakes Brewing Company has become a seasonal favorite of mine. Nice light, copper pour. Great aroma of spices with cinnamon at the forefront. Taste of sweet roasted malts, cinnamon and spices. Very well-balanced.

Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale, Goose Island Brewing Company, Chicago, IL
(American Brown Ale, Rated 93)

Brown pour with a thin, frothy head. Nice nutty aroma with hints of spices and raisin. Taste is a nice balance of toasted malts, dark fruit, and a welcomed hop bitterness that warms your throat. Nice big flavor.

Krampus

Krampus, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY
(Strong Pale Lager/Imperial Pils, Rated 96)

Saving the big beers for last and Southern Tier does big beer well! This beauty pours a hazy copper color and has big aromas of citrus, pine, and caramel. Taste is much of the same...citrus hops, pine, caramel sweetness, bit of malt, and a nice bitterness to the finish. A definite Winter warmer at 9% abv. If this beer is what Krampus gives to those who are naughty, then I don't want to be nice.

Christmas Ale

Alpha Klaus, Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, IN
(Imperial/Strong Porter, Rated 100)

Only fitting that the 12th beer be a big imperial porter from Three Floyds. Extremely dark, black pour with a nice foamy, tan head. Aroma begins with sweet chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. The smell if very enticing. The taste contains flavors of sweet chocolate, dark espresso coffee, and roasted malts which all leave behind a slight hoppy bitterness normally found in an IPA. Very well balanced. Excellent hopped-up porter!

- - -

If you remembered the first 12 Beers of Christmas, as well as my other 12 Beers lists, you will remember that I never stopped at twelve. I have one more special holiday beer for you...

Frosted Frog Christmas Ale

Frosted Frog Christmas Ale, Hoppin Frog Brewery, Akron, OH
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

Nice dark, reddish-amber color. This one has the most amazing aroma of spices of the Christmas beers I've had this year...blends of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Reminds me of hot, apple cider. Strong gingerbread doughy flavor with cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples. Lots of spices in this one.

- - - 

The Christmas/Holiday beers, like pumpkin beers, are fun to try. Very interesting how each brewery has their own special take on the holiday beer. Some base their recipe on ambers, some brown ales, some use porter, many use fruits and spices. I've enjoyed trying them all and I do have a few favorites. Great Lakes Christmas Ale will definitely be an annual staple. Alpha Klaus is another because I love a good porter and Three Floyds is one of my favorite breweries. SO be adventurous and give some of these a try. Maybe you have holiday beer in your area that I can't get here. Regardless of where you are, I'm sure you'll find one you like. Cheers to you all!

Merry Christmas!

Honey Ale

Honey Ale, Grays Brewing Company, Janesville, WI

Nice, refreshing offering from yet another Wisconsin brewery. This ale is brewed using locally harvested honey. Pours a very clear, honey-yellow color. The aroma has honey and faint hints of hops. Taste is a bit earthy and very little hops. Neutral flavor. A good beer for those scalding hot days in the sun, but nothing I would reach for regularly.

Sasquash Pumpkin Porter

Sasquash Pumpkin Porter, Milwaukee Brewing Company, Milwaukee, WI

Nice dark pour. The aroma was of roasted pumpkin, sweet potato, and spices. I thought the taste was well balanced. Taste was of roasted malts, pumpkin, nutmeg, and other spices. Very drinkable.

Witch Hunt Spiced Harvest Ale

Witch Hunt Spiced Harvest Ale, BridgePort Brewing, Portland, OR

Dark amber in color with faint aroma of cinnamon and spices. The spices are very subdued, almost nonexistent. This beer has a dry hopped characteristic. Bland, nearly tasteless finish.

Autumnation

Autumnation, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

Sixpoint's first seasonal brew. Pours an amber, copper color. Aroma combines roasted pumpkin and hops. I had this both from the tap at Sugar Maple, one of my favorite craft beer destinations, as well as from a can, and, as a fellow beer lover pointed out, you can taste more of the pumpkin from the barrel than the can. Has a nice roasted malt finish that isn't dry. As with most of Sixpoint's beer, this one is different, but really good!

Blue Moon Caramel Apple-Spiced Ale

Blue Moon Caramel Apple-Spiced Ale, Coors Brewing Company, Golden, CO

Not sure what I was expecting here, but I was disappointed. There wasn't much difference between this beer and Blue Moon's Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale. Good spices but it lost me after that. Where's the apple?

Twelve Pumpkin Beers

For my third themed list, I decided to tackle another seasonal beer, the pumpkin beers. Of the very many fruit/spice/herb/vegetable beers out there, pumpkin beers are a favorite. Arguably one of the very first seasonal beers, pumpkin beers have a long history in the U.S., dating back to the early 1700's. Of course, back in those days, it was deemed a health tonic. Today the pumpkin beer has become a staple in many brewer's recipe arsenal, with many giving their personal spin on this Fall craft beer classic. So I was able to easily find at least twelve examples of pumpkin beer and I happily sample and share them with you here. In no particular order, I present to you...

The Twelve Pumpkin Beers

Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin Ale, Wild Onion Brewing Company, Lake Barrington, IL 

Starting with my only option from a can, this Pumpkin Ale pours a nice dark orange color. It has a nice, subtle aroma of pumpkin pie and cinnamon spices. Unlike the aroma, the taste was a bit weak. Flavor was a bit thin and nearly bland. Hints of some spice made their way toward the finish. This one falls short on flavor.

America's Original Pumpkin Ale

America's Original Pumpkin Ale, Buffalo Bill's Brewery, Hayward, CA 

Lighter orange pour. A bit of pumpkin in the nose, but no spices. Little bitterness up front followed by the pumpkin flavor. No spice whatsoever and not sweet at all. This one is a drinker.

Pumpkinhead Ale

Pumpkinhead Ale, Shipyard Brewing Company, Portland, ME 

Pale orange pour with a nice spicy, pumpkin aroma. Light body. Subtle spice in the flavor that last throughout, not too strong.  More like pumpkin pie than pumpkins.  Very smooth and drinkable.

Harvest Pumpkin Ale

Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Coors Brewing Company (MillerCoors), Golden, CO 

Though not highly rated, Blue Moon's Harvest Pumpkin Ale is actually better than a couple of the others I've tasted. Very nice pumpkin pie aroma with the spices, pumpkin, and sweetness. Those same very characteristics come through in the taste as well. A good 'pumpkin pie in a glass' beer. 

Pumpkin Beer

Pumpkin Beer, O'Fallon Brewery, O'Fallon, MO 

This one is a little heavier and filling. Not sure I could drink more than one or two. Aroma is not strong, but there is a subtle smell of spices. Taste is a little malty, mild with hints of pumpkin and spice. A little bland at the finish.

Pumpkin Lager

Pumpkin Lager, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI 

Six beers in and my first Wisconsin brew. Amber, orange in color. Spicy aroma with nutmeg and cinnamon.  Tastes of pumpkin pie and spice with malty sweetness. A really well-balanced beer.

Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin Ale, Smuttynose Brewing Company, Portsmouth, NH 

A little something different this time. Burnt orange color. Nice aroma of nutmeg, spices and a slight pumpkin. I certainly wasn't expecting this one to taste like it did. Definitely more pumpkin and a mild bitterness that lingers. Spices are subtle. Little woody. Very good example of a pumpkin beer instead of a pumpkin pie beer.

Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale

Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO 

Pouring a dark brown/deep orange color, this ale has an aroma of faint pumpkin with mild spices. The taste is sweet and smooth with cinnamon and nutmeg spice. Nothing special here.

Painted Ladies Pumpkin Spice Ale

Painted Ladies Pumpkin Spice Ale, Tyranena Brewing, Lake Mills, WI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 90)

One of my favorite pumpkin beers from a great Wisconsin brewery! This amber ale is infused with pumpkin and spice. Pours a burnt orange color. Malty, nutmeg, and cinnamon aroma. The taste matches the scent with heavy spice, sweet, malty, and mid pumpkin. Great pumpkin ale!

Pumking

Pumking, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 98)

Now this is a pumpkin beer. In my opinion, one of the very best pumpkin beers that I have ever had. Golden orange color. Sweet, buttery, pumpkin and spice aroma. Taste is pumpkin pie all the way. The pumpkin is not overpowering and the spices linger through the finish...nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar. It packs a punch too at 8.6% abv. Fantastic pumpkin beer!

Ichabod

Ichabod, New Holland Brewing Company, Holland, MI 

This pumpkin beer pours a burnt orange. Definitely more pumpkin and a lot of nutmeg through the nose. Smooth taste. Mild spices. Taste more cinnamon where I thought I'd taste nutmeg. A drinkable Fall beer.

Frog's Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale

Frog's Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale, Hoppin' Frog Brewery, Akron, OH
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 91)

Clean, clear orange pour. Wonderfully spiced aroma with lots of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. Spices come through in the taste as well. Very crisp pumpkin pie flavor with a spicy, hop finish. A surprising 8.4% abv too. Amazing pumpkin beer!

- - - - -

There you have it folks...my Twelve Pumpkin Beers. As I mentioned, many breweries are making their own pumpkin beer recipes. So why am I stopping at twelve?  Here are a few more that I found...

Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale

Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, Stevens Point Brewery, Stevens Point, WI 

Surprisingly delicious pumpkin ale. Meaty pumpkin and spice aroma. If I closed my eyes, I would have thought there was a large piece of fresh pumpkin pie in front of me. That pumpkin pie comes through in the flavor, but with some hoppy bitterness. Very well balanced. Great pumpkin beer.

Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, PA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 96)

I can't believe this beer is so highly rated. I actually think it's terrible tasting. The smell is right on the money with other pumpkin beers with cinnamon and pumpkin. The taste is something else though. There's some kind of metallic taste, which is strange coming from a bottle. Not a fan.

Wasatch Pumpkin Seasonal Ale

Wasatch Pumpkin Seasonal Ale, Schirf Brewing Company, Park City, UT 

Mild allspice and pumpkin aroma. Little more pumpkin coming through in the taste, but the spices are evident. Feels like its missing something. Just average.

Sam Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin

Sam Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin, Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 93)

What a great way to finish this pumpkin beer themed list. Pours a darker orange-red. Lot of great pumpkin and spice in the aroma. Classic pumpkin pie spices come through in the taste...cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, ginger. Nice malty pumpkin pie flavor that warms your throat at the finish. The 8.5% abv helps too.



There are a lot of similarities with the sixteen pumpkin beers I've sampled here. The ingredients for one. They all use pumpkin and spices, though in varying amounts. They can't all be the same, right? I enjoyed the more flavorful pumpkin pie beers over the traditional pumpkin ales. I'm just glad there are so many options to choose from. That way each person can find the one that they like best and enjoy it every year around this time. It's sampling many of them that I like best. Sure, I do have my favorites from this list...Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, Frog's Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale, Sam Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin, Painted Ladies Pumpkin Spice Ale, and Pumking are definitely up there. What are some of your favorites?

Fade to Black Volume 3: Pepper Porter

Fade to Black Volumer 3: Pepper Porter, Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont, CO

(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 96)

Outstanding porter with roasted malt, coffee, and a bit of chocolate in the aroma. Sweet coffee and licorice in the flavor...and then the pepper to heat things up a bit. When I spoke with a rep from the brewery, he said this was the most expensive beer they have ever made.  Why?...because all of the peppercorns were peeled by hand to get the seed out.  They didn't want the beer to be too hot.