Ask A New York Expert: Fall Beers To Try
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Autumn has arrived and with it, a taste for seasonal beer. This year's fall-flavored trends include wildy-popular pumpkin varieties and ales ranging from bittersweet to fruity. We asked local beer expert Gary Monterosso to fill us in on some of his favorites.
Gary Monterosso
Author
www.amazon.com
Some people drink beer, but others live it. Gary Monterosso falls into the second category. Author of the book "Artisan Beer: A Complete Guide to Savoring the World's Finest Beers" and sought-after expert on everything suds, Certified Beer Server Monterosso is a fixture at regional beer events throughout the tri-state area, a sought-after tastings host and BBC Radio expert on the American beer perspective. These are Monterosso's top five picks for autumn beer.
Post Road Pumpkin Ale – Brooklyn Brewery
www.brooklynbrewery.com
Hundreds of pounds of pumpkin find their way into the mash of this orange-amber, seasonal beer, giving it a delightful, pumpkin scent and crisply satisfying finish. "This beer is typically available through Thanksgiving, although the popularity of the style dictates inventory. I highly recommend buying early, especially if you plan on serving it during the holiday season. I'll also mention I've successfully cellared certain pumpkin beers for close to a year. Post Road comes in at 5 percent ABV (alcohol by volume)," says Monterosso.
Tour de Fall – New Belgium Brewing Company
www.newbelgium.com
"A new beer worth checking out originates from Colorado, an exceptional beer-producing state," says Monterosso. New Belgium has just introduced Tour de Fall, a 6-percent American Pale Ale available through October. The beer features chocolate rye and caramel, rendering the colors of the season and a bittersweet taste. This beer is definitely hop-forward, producing piney, floral and citrusy notes, especially in the aroma.
Related: NYC's 5 Best Craft Beer Stores
Pumpkin Cream Ale – Carton Brewing Company
www.cartonbrewing.com
According to Monterosso, this Atlantic Highlands brewer roasts pumpkin with orange oil, pink peppercorns and candied ginger when making this rich-bodied, autumnal ale, transcending the usual pumpkin pie spice taste many people associate with pumpkin-based brews. "This delivers an extra zing to the beer, taking pumpkin beers to another level of intensity," he adds.
Related: Best Fall Cocktails In New York City
Bell's Best Brown Ale – Bell's Brewery
www.bellsbeer.com
"Autumn is not the easiest time of the year to select which beer to drink. The weather ranges from summery to very cold, meaning one's preferences may swing from the light flavors to those that are bolder. Recognizing this, Bell's Brewery designed its beer as a transitional brew for fall. This beer has the intensity to hold up to cool weather without coming across as intense. It is English in heritage and arose from the style called Mild, meaning there is a relatively low hop aroma and bitterness," says Monterosso.
Pumking – Southern Tier Brewing Company
www.stbcbeer.com
"This wonderful pumpkin beer is big in flavor and also alcohol content, weighing in at just under 9 percent ABV. You'll get all of the traditional pumpkin pie spices coming through, including cinnamon, maple sugar and nutmeg. This beer has been around for about seven years and is one of the most highly regarded in the industry," says Monterosso.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
