Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

For years and years, Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale set the standard for craft brew pumpkin ales...probably because it was one of the only ones on the market, AND because it's just a great beer anyway.  But with so many different pumpkin beers from countless other breweries coming out every fall, it kind of gets sidelined in favor of new brews.  So i went back to it, and it's still great.  At 7% ABV, it's little heavier than some of its peers, and all the better for it.  Pouring a clear gold with a white head, the beer smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and sugar.  Notes of pumpkin and spices prevail with some brown sugar notes also on the tongue.  Can't beat an old classic.

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New Holland Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout

Sometimes you pick something up on a whim, maybe because it's got a cool name, or because you need a new beer to write about, or because of those magical worlds: Bourbon Barrel-Aged.  Either way, when the store clerk gives you a knowing nod, like you just found the secret treasure hidden within the store, excitement builds as you make your way home with your beer.  And the Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout from Holland, Michigan's New Holland Brewing certainly did not disappoint.  Coming in at 11% ABV, the brew pours a dark black with a moderate tan head, aromas of malt, chocolate, and vanilla hitting the nose with some subtle hints of bourbon.  The flavor is mix of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and oak notes all swirling together with a malty and delicious finish.  The bourbon notes are there, but never overpowering, and given the high alcohol content, the beer is much smoother than i had anticipated.  I will certainly need to stock up on this one, as it feels like it may be the perfect companion for Thanksgiving dinner.

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Red Horn Watermelon Crawl Gose

I know in the Fall i'm usually bonkers for pumpkin ales and Oktoberfests, and when it finally starts getting cooler here in central Texas, darker, heavier brews are usually my favorites, but when one of your local brewers makes a watermelon gose, you drink the damn watermelon gose.  And it certainly helps when it's as fantastic as the Watermelon Crawl Gose from Red Horn here in Cedar Park.  Coming in at 4.75% ABV, and pouring a hazy gold, the beer smells of wheat, yeast, fruit, and some floral hints.  Crisp and tart, but not overly so, the watermelon notes mesh nicely with the salt and sour, making for a ridiculously easy beer to drink.  I could drink this all day, Fall or not.

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Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

I was a little torn about writing about Elysian Brewing, as i'm no fan of the continued AB InBev acquisition of smaller craft breweries.  It feels like selling out the little guy.  But, good beer is good beer, and Elysian's Night Owl Pumpkin Ale is a good beer.  And we are knee deep in pumpkin spice season anyway, so i suppose it's worth noting.  Pouring a hazy, amber-ish gold with a crisp white head, the 6.7% ABV brew smells of pumpkin and your usual assortment of pumpkin spices like nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and allspice.  The flavor is slightly sweet, the spices playing well with notes of caramel and molasses in a smooth and easily drinkable beer, a perfect, albeit corporate, Fall brew.

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TUPPS Full Grown Jack Pumpkin Spiced Imperial Stout

Yes, it's pumpkin ale season, and there doesn't really seem to be too much out there this year that i haven't tried or written about before, though i did get a delightfully strong brew from a new brewery in Texas this weekend.  The Full Grown Jack Pumpkin Spiced Imperial Stout from TUPPS Brewery in McKinney, Texas is a 12.1% ABV punch to the face.  The beer pours a dark black with minimal head and smells of pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, malts, and a little booze.  The flavor is a robust mix of pumpkin and pumpkin spices with some notes of vanilla and liquorice that really start to stand out as the beer sits at room temperature.  It's complex, full-bodied, and definitely on the heavy side.  Enjoy for sure, but drink with caution.

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