With summer fading into the rearview mirror, the fruit-forward seasonals of warmer months are being replaced by their pumpkin-flavored, autumnal counterparts. Though many brewers are re-releasing well-established pumpkin brews, the following producers have launched fresh, limited-edition entries that deliver innovative twists on the longstanding fall favorite.
Hi-Wire Sour Pumpkin Ale
Asheville, North Carolina’s Hi-Wire Brewing unveiled Sour Pumpkin Ale, an 8.6%-abv seasonal beer inspired by Asheville-based Rayburn Farm. Brewed with roasted delicata pumpkins, cinnamon basil and blue ginger from Rayburn Farm, Sour Pumpkin Ale was fermented for 10 months prior to bottling. The new brew is available now in 375-ml. bottles in select markets. Visit Hiwirebrewing.com for more information.
Saint Arnold Bourbon Barrel Pumpkinator
Houston, Texas-based Saint Arnold Brewing Co. has announced details of a Bourbon barrel–aged version of Pumpkinator, its traditional fall seasonal. The new entry is an imperial pumpkin stout brewed with black and caramel malts, pumpkin, molasses, brown sugar and spices, and aged in Bourbon barrels. At 12.9% abv, the Bourbon Barrel Pumpkinator will be packaged in 12-ounce bottles and distributed throughout Saint Arnold’s distribution network. For additional information, visit Saintarnold.com.
New Belgium Atomic Pumpkin Ale
Fort Collins, Colorado–based New Belgium Brewing has released Atomic Pumpkin Ale, the latest entry in the company’s Voodoo Ranger Special Release series. The 6.4%-abv ale is brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon and Habanero pepper, offering up a sweet and spicy blend that’s balanced by a light hoppy bitterness. Atomic Pumpkin Ale is now available through October, in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles and on draft across New Belgium’s distribution footprint. To learn more, visit Newbelgium.com.
Avery Brewing Rumpkin
Boulder, Colorado’s Avery Brewing Company has re-introduced Rumpkin, the latest edition in its Annual Barrel Series. The 16.9%-abv pumpkin beer is brewed with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, and then aged in rum barrels for four months. Though the brewery has annually released Rumpkin since 2011, this year it took the brew’s production to new heights: Avery flew two professional coopers in from France in order to restore its rum barrels, in the hopes of securing more optimum aging conditions for the beer. The repaired barrels also prevented Avery from losing a great deal of its product to leaks. The new brew is available in 12-ounce bottles now through October across Avery Brewing’s 39-state distribution footprint. For more information, visit Averybrewing.com.