It’s the middle of October, and fall is in the air. We’re enjoying cool, crisp weather, the leaves are changing colors, and of course, we have plenty of fall seasonal beers to try.
Almost every craft brewery delivers a special brew to celebrate the changing season, and Brant Schweinsberg, our beer manager and all-around beer expert, is sharing some of his favorite seasonal picks to enjoy while you’re bellied up to the bar this fall.
“First and foremost, Ramstein’s Oktoberfest is one of the most highly rated Oktoberfest beers around,” Schweinsberg says. “And it’s local – it’s brewed in New Jersey, and we love that.”
With an ABV of 6%, this amber lager is rich and spicy, with a malty aroma and subtle hop finish. But, it’s only available until October 31, so don’t wait too long to try it.
Although it’s not necessarily a fall beer, Schweinsberg says that Ayinger Celebrator is another great brew to enjoy during the cooler months. The winner of numerous platinum medallions, this malty, hearty beer has been ranked among the best beers in the world – and lucky for us, you can find it year-round.
At the Iron Monkey, we try to bring in a variety of seasonal beers to our ever-changing draft list, which means that some seasonal drafts are only available for a short time. Schweinsberg recommends that when you see a seasonal brew on the menu, give it a try before it’s gone.
“Some of the other seasonal beers I always recommend are Summit Oktoberfest, which is just a terrific, solid beer, and Weyerbacher Pumpkin Ale,” he says. “It’s one that’s definitely worth a try.”
Another classic seasonal beer that’s perfect this time of year is Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale.
“It’s brewed with 150 pounds of pumpkin,” Schweinsberg says. “Need I say more?”
