Well… I blinked, and just like that, June, July, and August passed by. Labor Day Weekend has also come and gone. You can feel it in the air, the summer’s out of reach. As one season winds down, I’m gearing up for another, and the fresh, festive beers that come with it. Personally, I love the fall. The crisp air. The better surf conditions, fingers crossed. And most importantly, the bounty of beverages. No, I’m not talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes. As always, I’m here for the beer, specifically local craft beer. Here is what I’m sipping on this season:
Big Oyster
Shuckin Pumpkin, anyone? A fan-favorite this time of year, this pumpkin ale overflows with flavors of pumpkin pie spice and caramel. While you’re there, be sure to also try Oystoberfest, their Oktoberfest lager. I’m also a shucker… er, I mean sucker for their Schwarzbier, a dark lager that pairs perfectly with the weather this time of year.
Crooked Hammock
We’re heading down the street to get a little crooked. Hammock is hosting a month of Oktoberfest fun from September 6th to October 6th. You’ll find a themed food menu and a few noteworthy beers like Crooktoberfest, a malt-forward mӓrzenlager, and Wünder Pumpkin, a festbier with a pumpkin kiss. Later into the fall, they’ll release their Dunkel, which is (pun intended) a slam dunk.
Dewey Beer Co
You know Dewey is cookin’ up something special for the season as well. Definitely check out FestBier, a golden lager best served in das boot. Now wash that one down with Skelett, a caramel-colored and flavored German lager. For dessert, let’s switch it up with the latest version of their Secret Machine fruited sour series. Pumpkin Whoopie Pie is chock full of vanilla, cinnamon, and, you guessed it, pumpkin. Stop by their Harbeson location on September 14th for their Oktoberfestivities. They’ll be hosting various events including the Sausage Toss, Stein Holding Contest & Best Dressed Competition from 12 to 5 pm.
Dogfish Head
It’s time to take your tastebuds to the pumpkin patch. That’s right, it’s Punkin Ale time. This brown ale boasts aromas and flavors of brown sugar, spice, and everything nice. If the Mount Rushmore of autumnal ales existed, Punkin would most certainly be on it. But wait… there’s more. Head Brewer Jake Leaf (pictured) suggests sampling Amazön Lederhösen, Dogfish’s mӓrzen beer. Wearing actual lederhosen is not required to drink this beer, but it only enhances the experience, so I recommend it.
Iron Hill
If a visit to Bavaria is out of the budget this year, never fear, Iron Hill has you covered. Joining in on the festivities, they brewed up their Oktoberfest Lager, a malty masterpiece, as well as a Pumpkin Ale worth smashing. Now all you need is their jumbo pretzel appetizer and you’ll be transported to a crisp, crowded day in Munich. Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa.
Lewes Brewing Company
The day is nearing for Lewes Brewing Company to open its doors to the public, just in time for fall beer season. They plan on serving up a festbier lager and recently collaborated on a pumpkin ale with Sinepuxent Brewing out of Berlin, MD. I’m looking forward to sampling both in the coming weeks.
That’s all for now folks. I’ll be prostin’ and toastin’ my way through Autumn with this crafty curation and encouage you to do the same. Thanks for following along this summer, I’ll see you on the other side. Cheers!
Zeke has been working in and around beer for the last decade. As a Certified Cicerone® (think Sommelier but for beer), he has covered all things craft from coast to coast, from sunny San Diego to the laid back Lower Slower. Zeke is the owner of Otter Craft Consulting, where he specializes in supporting craft breweries in their branding and marketing efforts.
