The (Other) Beers of Fall

Clearly a picture of me drinking a beer.

Let’s conduct a written Rorschach test: I will give you a pair of words, and I want you to tell me the first thing that you think of.

1) Autumn

2) Beer

You thought of pumpkin ale, didn't you? I would be willing to bet the total value of this bloggity blog (don’t get excited… it’s not that much) that 75% of people who took this quiz would respond with pumpkin ale, and the other 25% with Oktoberfest beer. Don’t worry, I’m not criticizing… I would too.

We have been convinced by the beer industry marketeers and the court of public opinion that the harvest seasonal beers listed above are the end-all, be-all of autumn beer. We look forward all year long to August (apparently) when these tasty fall brews will appear on a grocery store shelf near us. In fact, you have to try especially hard to think of an autumn beer other than pumpkins or Oktoberfests… or you just need to read this blog. This post is dedicated to the hard-working and oft-under-celebrated styles of delicious craft beer that go unnoticed during the tumultuous fall months. If it’s pumpkins you want, I have already written twice on the miracle of pumpkin ale this year (click here and here). If you are chomping at the bit to learn about Oktoberfest brews, that happens next week (spoiler alert). But today, we’re all about the other ones.

And no, this list is not comprehensive, so all the trolls out there can relax a little bit. Frackin’ internet trolls.

IPA

Ha ha! Bet you didn't see that coming, or maybe you did. I’m not just throwing a nod to my fellow hop heads out there who drink IPAs all year round, and this isn’t an attempt to convince you that IPA is a universal style that is always appreciated, even though it is exactly that. No, I’m referring to the spectacular IPA sub-styles that are perfectly aligned with fall – Rye IPA and Red IPA.

Ruthless, but delicious!

The two are very similar: Basically, they are over hopped versions of a different style of beer that make them IPA-like in their flavor and bitterness. The Rye IPA contains at least 20% rye malt to give it a darker appearance and spicy flavor, which is perfectly balanced by generous hop additions. The Red IPA is an over-hopped red ale, which gives it a red or amber complexion, as opposed to a typical IPA which has a more pale look to it. They often contain a dash of rye malt as well. The Red is typically maltier than the standard IPA.

Good examples of these IPAs you should look for are Sierra Nevada’s Flipside Red IPA and Ruthless Rye, Green Flash’s Hop Head Red, Saranac Red IPA, Founders’ Red’s Rye IPA, Firestone Walker’s Wooky Jack, Otter Creek’s Kind Ryed IPA and Bear Republic’s Red Rocket Ale and Hop Rod Rye. Certainly not a complete list by any means, but it should get you started and fully engaged in these two IPA styles.

Brown Ale

A personal favorite.

Brown ale is today what porter was ten years ago… in America at least. It is becoming the lost style of beer. In my opinion, a revival is long overdue because brown ales are extremely diverse and can be quite delicious. They are typically malt-forward ales that concentrate their effort on sweet, malty goodness as opposed to bitterness. Many brewers even experiment with different malt combinations in order to gain chocolate, caramel and nutty flavors. Obviously the darker color and flavor combinations listed above are seamlessly connected to fall harvest themes.

Three of the best examples of this style here in the States are Cigar City’s Maduro Brown, Avery Brewing’s Ellie’s Brown Ale and Abita Brewing’s Turbodog. Others that are definitely worth your time are Troegs Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale, Smuttynose’s Old Brown Dog Ale, , Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown Ale, Dogfish Head’s India Brown Ale, Sierra Nevada’s Tumbler, Schlafly’s American Brown Ale and Bell’s Best Brown.

Hoppy and terrific.

Amber Ale

Sticking with our theme of malt-forward beer and ties to the fall, I give you the amber ale. Technically, there is no reason why this can’t be an all-year round style, and for most people, it is exactly that. Which is why you should keep drinking them in the fall. Obviously.

Good ambers to look for are Anderson Valley’s Boont Amber Ale, Rogue’s American Amber Ale, Troegs Hop Back Ale and Bell’s Amber Ale. Of course, you could always stick to old reliable – New Belgium’s Fat Tire.

Schwarzbier

This one is awesome! 

May the Schwarz be with you, all through the autumn season. Many will tell you that schwarzbiers are for winter, and that marzenbiers and other Munich/Vienna lagers are the prototypical fall beer, but I already told you we will start looking at Oktoberfesting when the festival begins next week (SPOILER ALERT!!!). If the black color is all it takes to relate a beer to winter, then fine… make schwarzbier a winter style. For me, I associate strong robust flavor to winter, not black color… so schwarzbiers do not cut it. They are typically easy drinking, light, uplifting lagers that are hoppy bitter rather than malty bitter – and jet black in color. It’s kind of an enigma as far as style-to-seasonal associations are concerned… so I’m putting it in the fall. Deal with it.

Devil’s Backbone’s Schwartz Bier, The Duck-Rabbit Swarzbier, Saranac’s Black Forest and Schlafly’s Black Lager are all very excellent examples of this style.

Belgian Dark Ale

The final suggestion I will make to you today is to drink Belgian dark ales. Seriously, do it now. They are wide ranging and delicious, bold flavored and can be menacing in alcohol levels. They are usually amber to deep brown and garnet in color with white, rocky head. Typically, they are yeasty, spiced, floral and malty smelling and have a dry, spiced, sweet and malty flavor.

Dark and mysterious.

Great beers to look for in this style are New Belgium’s 1554, Ommegang’s Art of Darkness, Dogfish Head’s Raison D’Extra, Avery’s The Reverend and Great Divide’s Grand Cru. Seriously, you’re going to love spending autumn in Belgium.

Hopefully, you see that you don’t have to spend the fall in pumpkin and Oktoberfest lager territory… not that there’s anything wrong with that. Options people… you have them. Variety is the spice of like. Beers, beers everywhere… pour yourself a drink. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts… what was I talking about?

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!