Old Nation Brewing | Electron Brown

Last weekend, autumn finally arrived in Michigan in the form of perfect murder mystery type of weather. So, I spent the weekend at the lake calculating the final touches on my plan to do away with my meddling spouse while taking in the gentle stillness of nature. Uh, I mean, um, transitioning from summer to fall beers. Michigan has a glut of great beers and the authentic experience of all four seasons. Thus, we truly have great pairings for every season.

I first got into Old Nation Brewing Electron Brown Espresso Bean Double Brown Ale at a cheese & beer tasting at the incomparable Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor. While I couldn’t accurately describe the cheese, Old Nation’s double brown ale certainly made an impact. Enough so that I scrounged around for it the moment October hit.

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Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery | Coconut Quad

Compared to every other season, autumn always conjures up particular styles of beer. Pumpkin beers, Märzens, and Ambers match drinkers’ palates like the changing shades of leaves. As the summer winds down during peaks of sweltering humidity, you wouldn’t think there could be a beer over 10% fitting for the season. Thankfully, us Virginians have access to a beer that perfectly represents the twilight of summer with Lickinghole Creek’s Coconut Quad.

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Vault Brewing Company | Sweet Potato Ale

The fall brings in a welcoming change as the leaves start to transform into vibrant colors before they gracefully fall to the ground here in the Northeast. Stepping out for fresh air, it noticeably has become crisper as it wisps by. And with everyone ironing their favorite flannels before heading out to enjoy the festive activities of the season, there is another phenomenon that lets you know that fall is upon us: beer shelves lined with various options of pumpkin ales.

But amidst the sea of pumpkin beers, the Pennsylvania-based Vault Brewing Company ventured off on their own quest to ring in the season with its Sweet Potato Ale, which gives beer drinkers a switch from the world of pumpkin-everything and celebrates another savory food that accompanies this time of year nicely.

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Brothers Craft Brewing | Blonde Betty Imperial Blonde Ale

Autumn is the season of pies. Whether it’s pumpkin, sweet potato or pecan, we all know the colder months bring forth a nostalgic desire for those traditionally warming, sweet sensations. So when the wave of pumpkin-spiced everything (including beer) takes over, how do you stand out? Brothers Craft Brewery cuts to the core of this dilemma by releasing a specially brewed apple ale, Blonde Betty.

There is no beer scene in the Shenandoah Valley without the influence of Brothers Craft Brewery, formerly known as Three Brothers. These guys have been providing wonderful beers in the Appalachian Mountains since the Virginia beer boom in 2012 by catering to both sides of the craft beer spectrum. They recently won Best in Show at the Virginia Craft Beer Cup for their flagship Lil Hellion; their barrel-aged beers like Resolute and Drunken Mornings are loved by rare beer collectors.

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Event Preview | Savannah River Brewing Co.’s Fall Beer Dinner

Savannah River Brewing Co. is very excited to be partnering with Chef Kyle McCloud of Mack’s Street Eats for the brewery’s first ever beer dinner. They will be opening their doors for guests to experience an exquisite five-course meal paired alongside their flagship beers and an exclusively brewed beer for the event. The “Fall Beer Dinner”, as they’ve optimistically named it, is set for November 8, 2017 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Read More

Coney Island Brewing | Hard Root Beer

ABV: 5.8%

A nostalgic fave is coming back–hard. Root Beer is definitely one of those new craft beer-craze styles I’ve been hesitant to try. Mainly, I am not a huge soda drinker. However, I’v always loved a cold, rich, full-bodied birch beer whether it be on a hot, summer day or cool, autumn evening. So, if you fall into the “I’m new to craft beer” or “I like to try everything” or simply “I need a wow-factor for my taste-buds”, I’d suggest giving this one a go!

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The Great Pumpkin Beer Debate

To gourd or not to gourd. That is what pumpkin ales and lagers have come down to. With how much controversy pumpkins bring to the table, I fear pumpkin pies are next! Wanting to be civil about this, PorchDrinking.com sat down two of our writers to …express what side of the pie they prefer. It’s Danele Bova vs. Mathew Powers in this no holds barred Gourd Match. No rules. No tricks or treats. The gloves are off and it’s time to carve out a solution to the pumpkin-beer debate. Who do you support? What pumpkin party will get your vote? Read More

The Best Pumpkin Beers of 2016

Featured image courtesy of: Adam Barhan (Flickr)

Ah, pumpkin; such a polarizing flavor. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, pumpkin beers are rearing their squashy, spicy heads for fall – but not all are created equal. From mildly-flavored to spice bombs, and from drinkable to over-the-top boozy, we’ve found a pumpkin-laced brew for almost everyone in this diverse list of the best pumpkin beers of 2016! Read More

Ultimate 6er | Awesome Autumn Ales

For those who love a crisp, cold ale to accompany the newly arriving autumn weather, this six pack was built for you.

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Samuel Adams | Octoberfest

ABV: 5.3% | IBU: 16

Whether they were merely gateway beers or still remain part of regular rotation, Samuel Adams‘ seasonal beers have become staples. Offerings like Summer Ale and Winter Lager have ushered in the changing of the seasons for some time but none more iconic than their Octoberfest.
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Colorado’s Pumpkin Beer Season Release

Whether you like it or not, summer is coming to an end in Colorado. You can feel the impending change of season in the cool breeze, and may even … Read More

Founders Brewing Co. | Dark Penance

Imperial Black IPA

ABV: 8.9%

IBU: 100

October is finally here! And half gone at that! But, there is still plenty of time to drink some of the best seasonal beer selections breweries have to offer. Now, it is no surprise that pumpkin beers have been taking over the market selection for seasonal brews this year. However, there are a ton of other great beer styles to drink this October, such as Harvest Ales, Brown Ales, Black Ales, really any full-bodied dark beer with toasty notes to keep you warm by a fire. Founders Brewing Co. introduced one such brew to their autumn line-up, a bold new speciality beer, Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA. From appearance all the way to flavor, Dark Penance sets a fresh new tone for beers this season, capturing all the right characteristics of fall. Read More

Ultimate 6er | It’s the Great Pumpkin Beer, Charlie Brown!

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves begin to turn from their summery, verdant green to all shades of red, orange, and yellow. And they reach their peak crunchiness for the most satisfying of leaf stepping. It is finally time to don sweaters and cozy scarves. The winds begin to bring in a chill, and with those crisper temperatures come the familiar smells and tastes of fall: pumpkin and spice. Many look forward to enjoying that first slice of pumpkin pie, or perhaps that Pumpkin Spice latte in the morning (with the honorable mention of gorging on Halloween candy). But for us PorchDrinkers, we look forward to the release of the spicy, oh so delicious pumpkin beers. So here are a few of the best pumpkin beers I’ve sampled this season to cozy up with during the autumnal days ahead.

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Ultimate 6er | Fall Fun

As October gets into full swing and the morning temperatures continue to drop, an Ultimate Fall 6er designed specifically for this beautiful season only seems appropriate. Get your mittens and your pumpkins and your s’mores and lets do this. Read More

Jolly Pumpkin – Fuego del Otono

6.1% ABV

Some people drink for education, some drink for relaxation, some drink for inspiration. I have never understood the idea of drinking for any purpose other than pleasure. Sure, I write about the beers, but I only review beer that I enjoy, the beers that I want others exposed to as well. Ron Jeffries, Brew Master at Jolly Pumpkin, says, “We create beers to lighten the spirit and soothe the soul.” Preach on, brother. This is a philanthropic venture on the brewing end and a hedonist venture on the consumption end. Share the joy! And what brings more joy than beer? Well, fire. But fire and beer together. Whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s magic. Literally translated, Fuego del Otono means “fire of the fall” (or “Autumn Fire” as they call it at Jolly Pumpkin). Read More

Roundtable Discussion | Fall Favorites

The official start of fall is rapidly approaching, so I asked our staff what they love most about what is quickly becoming my favorite season. Personally, I’m enjoying the cooler … Read More

Anchor Brewing – Big Leaf Maple Autumn Red

 6.0% ABV, IBU (n/a)

As a relative neophyte to the craft beer world, red beers are one area where I feel I have extremely limited knowledge of flavor spectrums and … Read More

Punkin Brown Ale – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

ABV: 7%

IBU: 28

Let it be on the record. As many of my friends know, I usually have nothing to do with brown ales. I have had a few of them here and there, and not one of them has really stood out for me as a solid beer worth buying again. That being said, autumn is coming and I’m starting to see all the fall beers hitting the shelves so I decided to try this out. Read More