Ahhh, autumn. Of the four seasons, is any so pleasant? The nights grow cool, the air turns sharp, and the trees shed their leaves in a gaudy display of colors that are rarely seen at any other time of year. True, some lament the loss of summer's long days and roasting heat. But I lived in Florida for 22 years and I feel I've seen all that heat and humidity have to offer. Lemme tell ya, crisp and cool is where it's at.
Additionally, we probably have a stronger cultural link with fall than any other season. Most major American holidays happen in the fall or winter, so fall is often associated with family and all of the wonderful traditions that go along with it. Hot apple pie, turkey with potatoes, and crowds of friends and family gathered around the T.V. watching clutch college football games or the World Series. Fall brings a sense of finality to the year, and if it's been a rough year (I think 2009 qualifies) then it serves as a reminder that better things may be on the way.
Of course, one of the most beloved fall traditions is Halloween. I've never really been big on celebrating the actual holiday (I'll just buy the candy, thanks.) But I do love the imagery. I love monsters and g-g-g-ghosts and all things hairy-scary, and I can't imagine fall without Halloween or vice versa. The jack-o-lantern is the perfect symbol for fall: a succulent, hearty harvest vegetable turned into a macabre deathmask. It's the marriage of summer's bounty and winter's gloom, not to mention being fun to carve.
But what of beer? Oh, my friends, the beer. Oktoberfest! Beer with spices! Sporting events.... with beer! Is there a better time to be a beer lover than fall? I say nay! The warmth a good beer brings on a chilly night is a sensation unparalleled. And brewers usually bring out the big guns at this time of year to try and top each other. So which offerings are a treat this year and which ones are just tricks?
Name: Jaw-Jacker Ale
Brewery: Arcadia Ales
Location: Battle Creek, MI
Variety: Spiced Beer
ABV: 6%
Price: ~$10 six pack
AHHHHHHHHH!!! This bottle scares me! That's seriously like a piranha's jaw sewed onto a pumpkin or something! If I saw that thing comin' for me you can best bet I wouldn't just be headin' for the hills, I'd be buying real estate in the hills and then erecting a giant piranha-pumpkin destroying fortress.
Anyways, I previously reviewed Arcadia's Angler's Ale and I liked it well enough. How is their scaaaaaaaaaary beer?
The color is a dark, clear amber with a light, off-white head. The aroma is cinnamony, nutmeg, and pumpkin, all fairly prominent and pretty close to actual pumpkin pie. The taste isn't quite as uniform. The beer is quite malty on initial sips, somewhat citrusy and spicy on the finish. It's not bad, but I could do for more spices.
Rating: 5/10 - Possibly a good introductory spice beer, but not as killer as the label art.
Name: Octoberfest Beer
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Style: Oktoberfest
ABV: 5.8%
Price: ~$9 six pack
Ah, good ol' Bell's. Arguably the most recognized Michigan-based brewery, they've established themselves as a solid brewer that produces approachable beers as well as adventurous fare (one of which I'll be reviewing soon). Their Octoberfest has hit, but for a limited time only! Many places I've been to are sold out or close to selling out with this beer, so grab it now if you want to try it!
This beer also pours an amber color, but with a thick head that lasts a good while. The scent is toast and grainy, with just a tiny hint of spice hiding somewhere in the background. The taste is light with creamy malts and a fair amount of yeastiness. Some people I've talked to have complained about the yeast, but I quite like this beer. It's crisp without being too sharp, and is refreshing like a lager while being pleasantly complex. Again, if you haven't bought this yet, do so before it amscrays!
Rating: 7/10 - A winning beer that befits the season.
Name: Screamin' Pumpkin Spiced Ale
Brewery: Michigan Brewing Company
Location: Webberville, MI
Variety: Spiced beer
ABV: 6%
Price: ~$10 six pack
Sheesh! What's with the pumpkin assault? Or maybe this guy isn't attacking but is instead fleeing from the Jaw-Jacker (shudder). I wasn't keen on the only other Michigan Brewing Company beer I've reviewed, so let's see how the pumpguy fares.
SP pours out a bright blood-orange sort of color, with the same sort of watery body and light head as the Nut Brown Ale. It smells great! Very sweet and pumpkinny, like a pumpkin tart or cinnamon cookie. The taste is equally sweet and surprisingly creamy given the light pour of the beer. Some may find this beer too sweet, but I'm of the mind that if you're going to add spices to a beer then you shouldn't hold back!
Rating: 8/10 - Sweet and savory, a surprising treat.
Name: Ichabod
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Company
Location: Holland, MI
Variety: Spiced beer
ABV: 4.8%
Price: ~$10 six pack
Gotta love the Headless Hessian! Even if the name Ichabod is slightly inaccurate - Ichabod was the guy getting CHASED by the Headless Hessian! Read more Washington Irving, kids.
Amber-orangish! Starting to see a pattern with spiced beers? This one is lightly fizzy with a small head that dissipates quickly. Headless beer for the Headless Hessian, eh? It's either clever or unintentional. The scent is mostly malty with a light hint of spices. Unfortunately, this carries over to the taste. Aside from a light, lingering nutmeg flavor at the finish, this beer tastes very average and not at all very spiced.
Rating: 3/10 - Boo! Fails to deliver the goods!
Name: The Poet
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Company
Location: Holland, MI
Variety: Sweet stout
ABV: 5.5%
Price: ~$10 six pack
OK, so this isn't technically a Halloween beer. Heck, it's not even seasonal! But come on: ravens are spooky, Edgar Allan Poe is spooky, and if there's a color that associated more with Halloween than orange and black, it's purple! OK, possibly slime green, but that's more of a recent color. So I think this beer fits the season!
It pours out black and thick (surprised? It's a stout!) with a tan, creamy head. The aroma is that of well-roasted coffee and oatmeal, and is quite pleasing if not as mocha-scented as Founder's Breakfast Stout. Toasted oatmeal mingles with roasted coffee for a pleasantly drinkable and dry overall flavor. This was a nice follow-up by New Holland after the disappointing Ichabod. One unpleasing beer does not a company make!
Rating: 8/10 - A pleasing and smoky stout, tailor-suited for dark beer lovers.
Hope you liked this Halloween ho-down! If I happen to find any more interesting fall season beers, you'll hear about them right here! Contact me at mibeerguy@yahoo.com if you have any comments, questions or suggestions
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