Eating pumpkin pie and hating it is one of my first memories of not liking a dessert. Also not a fan of any sort of pumpkin spiced anything. Don’t come at me you Starbucks Pumpkin Latte drinkers. I don’t know why I don’t like it. Maybe it was the consistency of the pie that turned me off of anything pumpkin spiced related. Who knows. That being said I won’t say no to most pumpkin beers.

History of Pumpkin Beer

Tracing pumpkin beers through history takes us back to colonial America, where early settlers used pumpkins as a brewing ingredient. Pumpkins were versatile and there were a ton of them. Looking at documentation as early as the beginning of the 1700’s we can find the first brewed pumpkin ale.

Initially, pumpkin was used more as a substitute for malt, which was sometimes hard to come by. Recipes often included spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

George Washington has a historical connection to pumpkin beer! In the 18th century, he would brew beer at home, and one of his recipes included the use of pumpkin. Washington’s “small beer” recipe, which was a low-alcohol beer, incorporated pumpkin as an ingredient. Washington’s approach to brewing shows the early American practice of experimenting with flavors and ingredients in beer-making. Especially using locally available ingredients like pumpkin.

The more recent craft beer movement brought back the pumpkin ale. The 1980s and 1990s brought a wave of creativity in brewing. Leading us to the popularization of pumpkin ales. Today, they are a seasonal favorite, with many breweries producing their own styles. These variations often feature a blend of spices and roasted pumpkin.

Key Characteristics

Pumpkin ales can range from sweet to spicy, with a balance of malt sweetness and pumpkin flavor. Traditional pumpkin ales focus on the pumpkin flavor with spices. While some breweries add hops to create a more bitter profile, balancing the sweetness. There are also imperial pumpkin ales. These have a higher in alcohol content and often feature more pronounced flavors.

Brewers typically use real pumpkin, pumpkin puree, or pumpkin pie spices. Roasting the pumpkin or adding it directly to the mash allows the flavors to infuse during the fermentation process.

Pumpkin ales are often consumed in those cooler months like October and November. They pair well with fall foods, like roasted meats, pies, and savory dishes. Definitely a great addition to a Thanksgiving meal. Especially if your family is anything like mine and you HAVE to drink to get through the day.

Beer Advocate Top Rated Pumpkin Beers

I like to head to Beer Advocate if I’m looking for information about beers and they have many pages of rated beers. Check out their page for the top rated Pumpkin Beers. The following image is a list of the top 10 rated pumpkin beers by users on their website.

I haven’t tried any of these! But I have tried Punkin Ale by Dogfish Head brewing and I thought it was pretty good. It’s number 62 on their list so I need to try more pumpkin beers, rate the beer on Beer Advocate to get it higher on the list, or I just have shit taste in beer.

Have you tried any of these beers? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Or help me out with a recommendation!