Craft Beer NYC

The Ithaca Beer Co. has been producing some strong offerings in the last few years.  Country Pumpkin, which is their take on the fall seasonal from New York State is a very strong performer.  Magnum hops are used to balance out the aromas of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and Allspice.  The malt profile comprises of some German ones like Vienna and Munich mixed in with 2-Row, Caramunich, and Honey.  It manages to have a sweet selection of tasting notes, but not overwhelming to feel like dessert.  Keep supporting New York State beer!  Eat, drink, and be local! 6.3% ABV 8.5/10 Empire State Pumpkins http://ithacabeer.com Taste NY Info http://taste.ny.gov

The brew team from Spartanburg, South Caroline delivers a seasonal wheat beer with a bomb of tasting notes.   The Bomber from RJ Rockers has a nice fruity nose with a strong, but delightful strawberry finish.   This is a solid performing wheat beer with a nice summer spin for those warm months of outdoor fun.  The Strawberry Bomber is available April through August each year, as one of their five rotating ales, two specifically for the spring and summer. 5.8% ABV 7.0/10 Strawberry Smart Bombs http://www.rjrockers.com/#!beers/ccgi

The Anderson Valley Brewing Company was started in 1987 in the town of Boonville, California.  The historic area was settled by Walter Anderson in 1851 by accident.  The Anderson Valley has many great marvels, including it's very own dialect called Boontling.    The brewery has been expanded twice, originally back in 1996 and then opening it's current facility back in 2000 using a 100 barrel copper kettle from a defunct German brewery.  Their fall seasonal brings a brew that mixes the magic of pumpkin pie with caramelized malt to bring out the tasting notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh pumpkin.  The label design has the iconic antler wearing bear drinking from a water bed at dusk while the bats start flocking above!  Happy Halloween from the Anderson Valley! 6.0% ABV 8.5/10 https://avbc.com/about-us/ Learn About Boontling https://avbc.com/about-us/boontling/

Brewed just once a year from the deep woods of Pennsylvania, this stellar brew evokes the energy of Metallica's masterpiece Master of Puppets.  Brewed with locally sourced pumpkins with German Northern Brewer hops to give it a nice spicy kick mixed with French Saison yeast.  The tasting notes range from vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and honey. Make sure you pour it into a nice goblet to pass the cool autumn nights away in the northeast. Troegs remains a truly independent force in the craft beer scene, among tons of consolidation and investment by the big guys in the local beer market across the country. 7.5% ABV 9.5/10 Pennsylvania Pumpkins http://www.troegs.com/beer/master-of-pumpkins/

The German style lager is one of the most popular offerings from the Saratoga Brewing Company.   A nice blend of German malts and hops.  This one is easy to drink and has a nice medium copper color and a smooth finish.   I recommend this to stock your fridge for a party, but don't look for anything special here. 5.5% ABV 6.0/10 https://www.oldesaratogabrew.com/menu.html

The IPA from Saratoga Springs, New York is a well balanced traditional "West Coast" style ale blending Cascade and Fuggles hops.  Saratoga Springs is a regional operation run by the Mendocino Brewing Company out of California.  The location in New York bottles some of the Mendocino line of craft beers for distribution on the east coast and is home to the Olde Saratoga Ales. 6.8% ABV 7.0/10 Racing Ales https://www.oldesaratogabrew.com/menu.html http://www.mendobrew.com/home.htm

I continued my exploration of pumpkin fall seasonal ales with the entry from Long Trail Brewing Co. of Vermont.  One of the founding fathers of the craft beer movement in New England, they have been brewing great beer for over 25 years.   Compared to other pumpkin ales this one has a stronger range of cinnamon, nutmeg and sugary tasting notes that round out the natural pumpkin flavors.  Perfect for        a cool night anywhere in the northeast! 5.5% ABV 8.5/10 Colonial Pumpkins! http://longtrail.com/beers/pumpkin-ale

The organic spirit at Wolaver's continues with one of their popular fall seasonals.  The Pumpkin Ale is produced using local organic pumpkins from the Golden Russet Farm in Shoreham, Vermont.  The  pumpkin and sugary spice is pretty mild and doesn't over power the golden amber ale with nice balanced malts and medium hop profile.  It was just announced that the parent company Otter Creek is shutting down the organic line of Wolaver's.  I will be sad to see them go, so grab what you can off the shelves!  There should be some IPA and Coffee Porter left as well from the December production. 5.35% ABV 10/10 New England Pumpkins