It's August and football has started up again with "real" football coming the first weekend in September with the start of the college football season. What else could we tie into the start of football season but the start the Octoberfest beer season. So over the next several weeks I will be enjoying some of the newest Octoberfest and Pumpkin beers out this year in the New England area and giving you my thoughts on how they taste and whether they should make it into your day of game celebrations.
The first beer I picked up was the Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat which is listed as a "Belgian style wheat ale brewed with pumpkin and spices." This beer is exceedingly refreshing and left no after taste that some flavored beers have a tendency to do. I could easily taste the sweetness of the pumpkin blending wonderfully with the spices that were added without tasting like pumpkin pie in a bottle. If you are looking for a beer to drink with some spicy tailgating fare this would be a great addition, it would also be a perfect refreshment on those warm September afternoons.
The next two beers I grabbed were the Buffalo Beer's Brewery Pumpkin Ale and Woodstock Inn Brewery's Autumn Ale Brew. The first is listed as "America's Original" and an "ale brewed with real pumpkin and natural spice flavor." The main problem with this beer is the sour aftertaste, you can definitely taste the pumpkin in the back ground but the majority of the flavor that comes through is sour. It stayed in my mouth for a good 20 minutes after I finished drinking it. There are some spices that come through as well but this is not a beer that I would want to add to my party unless someone makes a personal request. It isn't a bad beer just not very refreshing and with the bitterness that it leaves it would be hard to pair with most foods.
Woodstock Inn's Autumn Ale is probably not a true beer as it is listed as a "Malt beverage with natural flavor added" but it is great. The overall flavor in the beverage is apple pie for lack of a better description and it is amazingly easy to drink and enjoy. This was a much sweeter drink then the Shock Top but was very refreshing as well. The sweetness will not appeal to everyone but I would add this to a tailgate/football party as a change of pace after meal drink.
Ratings 1 (give it to the people who you want to go away) to 10 (Hide for yourself)
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale - 3 - Not worth the price unless you like bitter beer face
Woodstock Inn Autumn Ale - 7 - Very drinkable and enjoyable but a little sweet, not for everyone
Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat - 9 - If you enjoy beer that have a fuity flavor this is the one to drink, one of the best I have had in a long time. Very enjoyable and refreshing drink.
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