Beer Drinkers’ Five Favorite Pours of Fall 2016
For beer drinkers around the world, fall is a time filled with Oktoberfest lagers, harvest ales and other seasonally-themed brews that help ring in the autumn season with each crisp sip. To tap into the beer enthusiast’s favorite fall beers this season, we dug into our data of self-served suds and found these five tasty brews to be the most-poured beers of the season so far. To our surprise, it wasn’t pumpkin beers or marzens that topped the list.
New Belgium Accumulation
Style: White IPA
ABV: 6.2%
This White IPA from New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins, Colorado is, according to the brewery, a direct revolt to the tradition of typical winter brews’ tendency to be dark and brooding. Made with a combination of pale and wheat malts, Nugget and Centennial hops and dry-hopped with the tropically juicy Mosaic and Amarillo hop varieties, this anti-seasonal brew is a cloudy, yellow haze of hop aroma, big bitterness and refreshing finish.
Left Hand Milk Stout
Style: Stout
ABV: 6%
On the other end of the seasonal spectrum is Left Hand Brewing’s Milk Stout, which combines roasted malt with lactose (that’s milk sugar) to create a sweet, full-bodied brew perfect for a warm seat on a cold night. Despite its black color and creamy mouthfeel, Left Hand Milk Stout is a lovable, chuggable brew that will change your perception of stout beers, if it hasn’t already.
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Style: Porter
ABV: 5.4%
Vanilla lovers, look no further: If you’re seeking for a seasonal companion to sip that has a whole lot of festive flavor, Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter is the beer for you. Brewed in Colorado, this dark, roasty ale combines the flavors of a classic porter (chocolate, roasted nuts) with bold vanilla flavor from beans originating in Madagascar and Papua New Guinea.
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9%
No matter what season, we wouldn’t be in America if a top five list didn’t include an IPA, and there are few better examples of OG American craft beers than 90 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware. This bitter, balanced imperial IPA was the first created with Dogfish Head’s original concept of continual hopping, which boasts a gradually achieved, penetrating hop flavor that’s kept in check by a strong malt backbone and fruity, raisiny flavors.
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 5.6%
Another for those with a sweet tooth, Rogue Ales’ Hazelnut Brown Nectar takes a traditional brown ale and amplifies the rich, nutty flavors. Combining seven strong malt varieties, hops from Rogue’s own hop farms, and hazelnut extract, this recipe for success yields a smooth, sweet ale slightly reminiscent of Nutella.
