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No Octoberfest for you, drink Pumpkin beer

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Weezy

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So I'm at the favorite watering hole and I'm delighted to see Yuengling's Octoberfest on tap. The place has ~35 taps.

There must be 12 pumpkin beers.

It's not even officially fall yet.

Not even Sam Adams Octoberfest in the mix.

So I ask the matron, "how many pumpkin beers do you have on tap?"

She replies, "including the ones that already kicked?"

-------

Flashback to Tuesday, at the local microbrewery:

Me to the owner: "No octoberfest this year? No harvest IPA? Just the pumpkin ale with the pumpkin additive out of a mylar bag from a New Mexico plant?"

Owner: "I know. It sucks. But it's what sells."

-----

Flash back to Saturday to a brewery in the city:

Me: "Pumpkin ale, eh?"

Brewer: "Hey, this is the last of it already!"
 
I hate pumpkin beer almost as much as I hate Bud Light Lime.

Around here, people go mental over the pumpkin beer from Schlafly and O'fallon Brewery. I've tried both on multiple occasions, but it's just the worst.

It's [probably] not the beer, it's [probably] me.
 
I hate pumpkin beer almost as much as I hate Bud Light Lime.

Around here, people go mental over the pumpkin beer from Schlafly and O'fallon Brewery. I've tried both on multiple occasions, but it's just the worst.

It's [probably] not the beer, it's [probably] me.

Having never had Bud Light Lime, I'd prefer that to pumpkin beer.

Now, I'm normally the "to style" type and don't normally gravitate to the funky ingredients beers. But I'll try anything once. Except for pumpkin beer and blueberry beer. Even the best in the world would probably still be a drain pour on my end.

That said, the pumpkin abominations keep coming sooner and sooner, and the Oktoberfest doesn't seem to hit until Oktoberfest is almost over (ie, October).
 
Pumpkin beer to me is worse than hot BMC. I don't understand the craze behind it. Same as Weezy, went to the liquor store and they had 6 pumpkin beers and not a single Oktoberfest. Not a single one. What the hell?

Mark
 
I like some pumpkin beer, not all. I love me an Oktoberfest though. Costco by my house has had Sam Adams Oktoberfest for at least 2 weeks now. Saw it again at Vons along with 2 others. Guess it varies by the market...
 
I'm starting to hate this time of year.

pumpkin.jpg
 
I counted 10 different pumpkin beers at my grocery store last weekend. Only 1 oktoberfest. 1! Is it not September? What is this trend? :confused: It's not even good to drink with football. FOOTBALL.

Qhrumphf, blueberry beer is delicious. It is!
 
I can taste the LME in Yuengling... So I can only imagine the imitation pumpkin they are putting out... no thanks...
 
Having never had Bud Light Lime, I'd prefer that to pumpkin beer.



Now, I'm normally the "to style" type and don't normally gravitate to the funky ingredients beers. But I'll try anything once. Except for pumpkin beer and blueberry beer. Even the best in the world would probably still be a drain pour on my end.



That said, the pumpkin abominations keep coming sooner and sooner, and the Oktoberfest doesn't seem to hit until Oktoberfest is almost over (ie, October).


What's funny is that Octoberfest is actually in September so those Marzen beers should be available now. Pumpkins are just being harvested so pumpkin beer shouldnt be ready by mid/late October.
 
What's funny is that Octoberfest is actually in September so those Marzen beers should be available now. Pumpkins are just being harvested so pumpkin beer shouldnt be ready by mid/late October.

EXACTLY my feelings. But if you ask the brewers they'll tell you they have no choice. It's a race for taps.
 
I hate pumpkin beer almost as much as I hate Bud Light Lime.

Around here, people go mental over the pumpkin beer from Schlafly and O'fallon Brewery. I've tried both on multiple occasions, but it's just the worst.

It's [probably] not the beer, it's [probably] me.

I saw all the posts about making pumpkin beer here on HBT. Last Fall when some showed up on the store shelves, I bought a six pack.

My wife promised to drink the other five and a half. I dumped the half. The five are still down there. Everything about it reminded me of the most horrible store bought pumpkin pie. Guaranteed indigestion.

Every mention of it now triggers fear.
 
EXACTLY my feelings. But if you ask the brewers they'll tell you they have no choice. It's a race for taps.

...ah, I see the answer to the trend question. I guess leave it to the homebrewers to put those fields of real pumpkin to use?

I agree with you both - beers have their seasons for a reason - harvest times.
 
What's funny is that Octoberfest is actually in September so those Marzen beers should be available now. Pumpkins are just being harvested so pumpkin beer shouldnt be ready by mid/late October.


Well, to someone's credit, we harvested our pie pumpkins this year in July... But we have a long growing season...
 
Made my Pumpkin Ale this weekend with real pumpkin.
My spice blend I made smelled great and will beat any store bought blend. Then blended spices make the flavor.
All whole spices fresh ground.
2 grams of Allspice
6 grams Saigon Cinnamon
4 grams Mexican Cinnamon
3 pods Cardamon
Large pinch of Mace
1 tsp fresh ground Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Whole Clove
1 tsp Cassia Buds
1/2 tsp Ginger
 
My son and I discussed this. I asked him if he likes pumpkin. We agree. I brewed a 'fest-like bier.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew
 
Fyi, there's an Oktoberfest in Sierra Nevada's fall sampler. Haven't tried that one yet, but the Vienna lager in the pack is fantastic.
 
Seems like I am in the minority here but I enjoy a good pumpkin beer. Currently I have my first ever pumpkin stout getting ready to be bottled. Octoberfest is good and I agree it feels like the seasons should be reversed, but I don't understand the hate towards pumpkin.
 
I did a side by side with pumking 13 and 14 - and I put back a 13 and a 14 for a 3 year flight next year.

I also have drank most of a case of SA Octoberfest. Also had a few Widmer Okto's - which is good, little smokey note in there.

Sam's here has Xmas decorations for sale already - you're worried about beers coming out early...
 
Made my Pumpkin Ale this weekend with real pumpkin.
My spice blend I made smelled great and will beat any store bought blend. Then blended spices make the flavor.
All whole spices fresh ground.
2 grams of Allspice
6 grams Saigon Cinnamon
4 grams Mexican Cinnamon
3 pods Cardamon
Large pinch of Mace
1 tsp fresh ground Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Whole Clove
1 tsp Cassia Buds
1/2 tsp Ginger

I'm curious as to why this particular set of spices has become synonymous with the flavor of pumpkin. If you've ever tasted raw pumpkin it has virtually no taste. Couldn't these spices be used to flavor potatoes or something equally as bland?
 
Raw, not much flavor. I think after roasting it the flavors are good though, albeit subtle. I like the pumpkin craze though, beer coffee etc. However, I do not like how it's coming earlier every year for profit purposes.
 

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