Look at the picture. Let’s play a little game called, “one of these is not like the other.” Have you guessed it yet? Oh, you read the title. Moving along then.
It was a hot summer’s day, mid-July, excruciatingly brutal out there. I was doing a little grocery shopping when I bumped into a buddy of mine, a fellow craft-beer aficionado. We did a little catching up when I noticed he was wearing an old-school Weyerbacher t-shirt. He began informing me he was recently there, and that they’re releasing a certain spiced seasonal already. My response? Pffftt, nooo way! One week later, I’m back at Wegmans and I couldn’t believe my very eyes. There it was, low and behold, a stocked shelf of pumpkin ales.
Good grief.
Don’t get me wrong. I love pumpkin ales. They’re delicious! Of course, some are better than others, but come on, when we see them on tap at the bar, we feel compelled to order them and bask in their magnificent spices. There are quite a few I can’t wait to sample … in due time. My personal favorites from the following breweries include: Weyerbacher, Southern Tier, Dogfish Head, Williamsburg and Sam Adams. How about you? What are yours?
Blah! Guess what? You can tell me in two months when it’s not 95 degrees and humidity isn’t punching me in the face. “It’s so excruciatingly hot outside. I could sure go for a nice, spicy pumpkin ale,” said no one ever.
I know there are some of you that couldn’t care less. Christmas isn’t the only thing you’ll rejoice in July. I see the check-ins on Untappd. People love the pumpkin ales, and no matter what, or when, they’re ready to enjoy ’em. “Never too early for Pumking,” is exactly what my buddy says, but I know I’m not alone on this stance either.
Rogue Ales states they’re not releasing their Pumpkin Patch Ale until the pumpkin season. “It’s worth the wait,” says Rogue brewmaster, John Maier. Funny thing, though, I saw those same ales at my local Wegmans. What a copout, right? Not exactly. Wegmans may have been too quick on the trigger stocking those Pumpkin Patch Bombers because the day I went to snag one for myself, they were being removed from the shelf.
Alright, I’m not going to lie here. I did enjoy a bottle from Southern Tier with a fellow Dish writer. Granted, it was gorgeous outside and felt like fall, but it was for the sake of the article. For you, PA Eats fans!
I wrote an article last year about how pumpkin ales seem more in the limelight than the Oktoberfest beers. This year, I focused on the early release. I have no idea what’s next. If in 2014 we’re having Pumptoberfest Pub Crawls and are dressed liked jack o’ lanterns, then so be it. Not really any surprises left.
So, in closing, I’ll hold off until after Labor Day. I’m going to enjoy the Hefeweizen and pineapple ales in the meantime. Oh, and there will be plenty of Märzen-style beers stocked in my fridge.
What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Are you enjoying one as you read this? Is there a Pumpkin Ale I failed to mention that blows your mind? Well then, by all means, comment below. Cheers!
- Photography: Kevin Dragone
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