BREW BLOG - TIS THE SEASON!

BREW BLOG - Summer is always lovely, fun, and as light as the clothing we all begin to wear, but year after year I find myself falling for Fall.  I absolutely adore hoodies, for one thing, and what better time to sport my Orange Iguanas pull-over, jeans, and matching orange Chucks than in this cool-down and kick-around-leaves kind of weather!?  Add to that some fresh-picked homemade apple pie and a pint of some glorious seasonal craft brews and I'm in heaven.  With that being said, check out three (extremely different) beers I fell for this week!  They're a party for your palate!

 

SOUTHAMPTON PUMPKIN ALE (5.50% ABV)
Since we're celebrating the season, I figured that it is most appropriate to begin with a pumpkin ale.  Pouring a beautiful orange/amber color, Southampton Publick House has brewed a beer that looks and tastes a bit like a lovely, creamy pumpkin pie.  The beer has a thin head and aroma of allspice and clove (I love clove).  This was the bartender's recommendation out of the (quite literally) eight or so pumpkin ales on tap and served to be an excellent starter-beer for the evening.  It was certainly the best out of those I sampled before coming to a decision and is worth tasting if you see it on tap.

BRECKENRIDGE OATMEAL STOUT (4.95% ABV)
In the mood for something dramatically different, I shifted to this dark and stormy oatmeal stout.  Having visited their brewery while in Denver earlier this year, I was rather certain that this was a beer worth revisiting... and I couldn't have been more correct.  This tremendously flavorful beer pours with an extremely thin head and has the most beautifully chocolatey dark-roasted coffee aroma.  This is most certainly worth grabbing a pint if you spot it on tap and has proven to please even those who are oatmeal stout skeptics.  Not the best of the best, but nothing to pass by.  I would certainly add this beer to my collection and share a taste.

FOUNDERS CENTENNIAL IPA (7.20%)
Founders can do no wrong and this little guy is certainly no exception.  A brilliant end to this trio, the Centennial IPA is luckily a year-round beer so you can try it at your leisure and enjoy it often... but not always on tap, (especially in NJ) so this was a treat!  As a tremendous fan of their Harvest Ale's dark, heavy, and relatively bitter taste, I found that this beer is a little more palate friendly... the charming younger brother who fits anyone's taste.  There are more flavors present and complimenting one another to adequately describe without handing you a glass to taste for yourself.  Do not hesitate to try this beer.

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TRY THESE BEERS!
PUMPKIN ALE - SOUTHAMPTON PUBLICK HOUSE (NY)
OATMEAL STOUT - BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY (CO)
CENTENNIAL IPA - FOUNDERS BREWING CO. (MI)
FOUND ON TAP AT: THE SHEPHERD & THE KNUCKLEHEAD (NJ)