At the first sign of cooler weather, sweaters come out, pumpkin spice lattes soon follow, and inevitably your local bar puts a pumpkin beer on the menu.
These are the facts of fall.
And nothing, not even the equally-loved-as-loathed PSL seems to be as divisive as pumpkin beers. Because while there are several good examples of the category, there are many more awful versions that taste like canned pumpkin rolled around in some maple syrup and sat in the sun until it fermented.
Fortunately, we're just focusing on the best examples. These are seven pumpkin beers that you'll actually want to drink.
Shipyard Brewing Co. Smashed Pumpkin
Based in Portland, Maine, Shipyard makes its pumpkin ale with two hop varieties and three malt varieties. The balance between malt and hops plays nicely with the pumpkin and keeps the sweetness in check. Expect bold spice notes, including nutmeg, and a pleasant pumpkin flavor that's neither artificial nor cloying. It clocks in at 9% ABV, but the alcohol isn't overwhelming. Smashed Pumpkin is what other pumpkin beers should aspire to be.
Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
This medium-bodied beer from Seattle is a hazy light brown color and balances molasses sweetness with robust fall spice. Expect plenty of nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger and allspice, plus deep pumpkin notes courtesy of pumpkin puree, juice and seeds. Night Owl is a reasonable 6.7% ABV, but if you want more heft, you can also try the brand's Great Pumpkin, an imperial ale that's 8.4% ABV.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
One of the oldest and most respected pumpkin beers, Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale debut in 1995 and has been going strong ever since. It's also one of the easiest pumpkin beers to consistently find in bars and stores. The full-bodied brown ale is made with real pumpkin and measures 7% ABV. Drink up for notes of smooth pumpkin, sweet brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin
Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin is made with pumpkin and cinnamon, naturally, but it's also made with habanero peppers. So it's a uniquely flavored, spicy take on the traditional pumpkin beer that may appeal to drinkers unimpressed with the average example. The mouthfeel is rich and warming, perfect for a chilly night.
Cigar City Brewing Good Gourd
Tampa isn't exactly an autumnal destination, but this Tampa-based brewery can sure channel the season. Its Good Gourd beer complements that pumpkin base with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla. It's a little sweet, a little spicy, and very October.
Southern Tier Warlock Imperial Stout
One of the few pumpkin stouts, Warlock makes you wonder why more breweries don't embrace this category. The rich, dark beer is more than a pumpkin bomb, with notes of chocolate, coffee, baking spices and nuts. As a result, it drinks like a fall holiday, and it's something that could reasonably stay in your rotation through Christmas.
Samuel Adams Jack-O
Sam Adams is known for its seasonal releases, including the fan-favorite Summer Ale and Oktoberfest. But don't miss Jack-O. This pumpkin beer features autumnal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, but that pumpkin flavor is front-and-center. Maybe the best part: It's only 4.4% ABV, so it's the rare sessionable pumpkin ale, meaning you can drink a few without feeling weighed down or overserved.
