2beerguys beer blog

Who’s got the best? Top 10 West vs East Coast Pumpkin Beers

@brewpublic #craftbeer

Happy Halloween! It’s after 9:00 and the 2012 showing of Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin is a thing of the past. Now it’s time to talk about what Halloween is really about – PUMPKIN BEER!.

Typically launched in August and swiftly disappearing before November, Pumpkin beers have increased in popularity within the last decade. As an alternative to the traditional Oktoberfest (Marzen) style, Pumpkin beers have become a fall fan favorite.

Many craft beer hoarders (yea, hoarders) have already collected their stash of pumpkin beer, hoping that it will tide them over until next year.

But Why? When did this all start? Were pumpkins an ingredient of convenience or desire?

We may never know for sure, but it is believed that pumpkins were first introduced to the brewing process during the colonial period because of their abundance in the region. With the limited available of grain/malts, pumpkins were selected because of their fermentable sugars.

Pumpkin style beers are traditionally known to be brewed with fresh pumpkins/gourds, and include many spices like nutmeg, ginger and all spice.

The popularity of Pumpkin beers is on an upward trend and they are helping the craft beer community grow from the ground up (literally). The increasing popularity has been even recognized by the beer community, including the Brewers Association whom has created a hybrid/mixed style (field beer or pumpkin beer) classification for judging beer.

With so many choices available, 2Beerguys.com has teamed up our brother blog Brewpublic in Oregon/California to bring you each of our top 10 pumpkin beers of 2012. Before you blow out the candle and put your carving tools away, check to see if your favorite pumpkin beer made the cut!

Top 10 West Coast Pumpkin Beers by Brewpublic.com

10. Laurelwood Stingy Jack
9. Silver Moon Twister Gourd
8. Fort George Drunken Pumpkin
7. Elysian Great Pumpkin Ale
6. Pike Harlot’s Harvest
5. Walking Man Sass-Squash
4. Oakshire Big Black Jack Chocolate Pumpkin Imperial Porter
3. Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
2. Rogue Chatoe Pumpkin Ale
1. Cascade Pumpkin Smash Rum Barrel-aged Sour Ale

Honorable West Coast Mentions:
Elysian Hansel & Gretel Ginger Pumpkin Pilsner, Beer Valley Jackalope, Ninkasi/Elysian Hop Squash IPA, Puyallup River Gourdy, Buckman Botanical Pumpkin Kolsch, Elysian Dark O’ Moon Pumpkin Imperial Stout, Two Beers Pumpkin Spice Ale, 10 Barrel Bobby’s Pumpkin Lager, Rock Bottom (Portland) Headless Horseman, Elysian Mr. Yuk Sour Pumpkin Ale, Stone, The Bruery, and Jolly Pumpkin La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado, Midnight Sun Trickster Pumpkin Belgian Stout, Kern River Brewing Pumpkin Ale, Elysian Steamy Hollow California Common, Hair of the Dog Greg, Fremont Pumpkin B-Bomb, Elliot Bay Kill Bill 3, Russian River Pumpkin Sour,Portland U-Brew Caramelized Vanilla Pumpkin Stout, Ace Pumpkin Cider, Pumpkin Schmunkin

Top 10 East Coast Pumpkin Beers by 2 Beer Guys.com

10. Cisco Pumple Drumpkin
9. Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin
8. Wachusett Pumpkan
7. Post Road Pumpkin Ale
6.Shipyard Pumpkinhead and Smashed Pumpkin
5. Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
4. Southern Tier Pumking
3. Allagash Ghoulship
2. Cambridge Brewing Company Great Pumpkin
1.Cape Ann – Fisherman’s Pumpkin Stout

Honorable East Coast Mentions:
Cigar City Good Gourd, DC Brau / Epic Fermentation Representation Imperial Pumpkin Porter, Harpoon Pumpkin UFO, Heavy Seas Great Pumpkin Ale, Hopping Frog Double Pumpkin, Jack’s Abby Pumpkin Crop Lager, Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela, Long Trail Pumpkin Ale, Long Trail Imperial Pumpkin, New Holand Ichabod Ale, Redhook Pumpkin Porter, Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin, Saranac Pumpkin Ale, Schlafly Pumpkin Ale, Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, Terrapin Pumpkinfest, Wachusett Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Wolaver’s Organic Pumpkin Ale, Harpoon Pumpkin Cider, Woodchuck Pumpkin Cider

Do you have some favorite Pumpkin beers from your region? Leave a comment and share your pumpkin picks with us! Cheers!