It is that time of the year when the pumpkin beers flood the market, but this year is a little different.
Some breweries decided not to brew their pumpkin beers this year for a few reasons. The first is there's a decline in market demand, and distributors and liquor stores don't want to get left with a huge stock like they did last year.
Another reason has been a very bad crop for pumpkin this year and last. The weather in Illinois has not been good for pumpkin crops, and half of the nation's pumpkin crop is grown right here in Illinois, according to an article on CNBC.com.
Given the pumpkin beer is fraught on all sides with problems, I decided to do something a little different: I chose to focus on a few barrel-aged pumpkin beers. A few offerings really strike the balance right and bring out a deep complexity and sweetness that tames down the overly pronounced pumpkin taste.
Pumpkin beers get a bad rap in the craft beer world, but I personally love pumpkin beers. I enjoy them at the first sign of crispness in the air, the first night that falls below 60 degrees, the first time you wear long sleeves or bring a jacket if you are going to be out late.
As I had 10 or more pumpkin beers to sample for this piece, and most of them were more than 8 percent alcohol, a few friends and I gathered at Downtown Kankakee's Grapes and Hops to open up these heavy-hitting bottles and pass them around. We had a blast talking over the tasting notes and our different experiences with craft beers, pumpkin beers and festivals. Thanks to new friends David Shelton, Andy Kraft and Derek Yarno for coming out and to Grapes and Hops for opening up the space. And a special thanks to the couple from Idaho that stopped by; we didn't get your name, so email me to let me know who you are. My email address is at the bottom of the column.
Beers of the Week
<strong>Name: Headless Heron from Central Waters Brewing Company</strong>
ABV: 9 percent
IBUs: N/A
Style: Barrel-aged pumpkin beer
Notes: Bourbon richness and complexity, with a giant pumpkin taste.
Would Go Well With: Dark chocolate dessert or pumpkin pie.
Where to Buy: Find the 2015 bottle at Liquor World in Kankakee; 22-ounce bottle for $7.99.
<strong>Name: Pumpkin Ale from The Schlafly Tap Room</strong>
ABV: 8 percent
IBUs: 16
Style: Pumpkin beer
Notes: Deep, rich, well rounded real pumpkin with a little spice to it to set it apart.
Would Go Well With: Thanksgiving dinner: Roast turkey or chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes.
Where to Buy: Liquor World in Kankakee, Berkots in Kankakee or Manteno and Jewel-Osco in Kankakee, Bourbonnais and Manteno all sell a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles for about $10.
<strong>Name: Punk'in Drublic from Coronado Brewing Company</strong>
ABV: 8 percent
IBUs: 35
Style: Imperial pumpkin
Notes: All the right notes of pumpkin in a very sippable beer.
Would Go Well With: Harvest desserts like pumpkin pie, apple crisp or Halloween candy.
Where to Buy: Liquor World in Kankakee sells a 22-ounce bomber for $7.99.
<strong>Name: Autumn Reaper from Hailstorm Brewing Co.</strong>
ABV: 8 percent
IBUs: 23
Style: Imperial pumpkin
Notes: Graham cracker, pumpkin pie, deliciously rich and complex spiced pumpkin notes.
Would Go Well With: A very drinkable beer, we enjoyed it over a cheese plate at Grapes and Hops.
Where to Buy: Available at the brewery in Tinley Park. Liquor World in Kankakee sells 22-ounce bottles for $9.
<strong>Name: Black Pumpkin from Buffalo Bill's Brewery</strong>
ABV: 7.9 percent
IBUs: 40
Style: Oatmeal stout with pumpkin
Notes: Creamy, oatmeal stout with roasted notes and a perfect hint of pumpkin.
Would Go Well With: Fish and chips, shepherd's pie or beef stroganoff.
Where to Buy: Ardmore Station, in Villa Park, Ill., sells 22-ounce bombers for $5.