The flavors of fall have arrived — in coffee, in baked goods and, of course, in our frosty brews. Local breweries are ready to usher in changing leaves, campfires and spooky season with seasonal sippers perfect for cozying up next to a fire. From the infamous — and controversial — pumpkin spice, to other fall flavors like candied pecan and s’mores, here are a few options to get you in a festive fall spirit.
Graeter’s Pumpkin Pie Ale from Braxton Brewing Co.
Braxton Brewing Co. and Graeter’s have once again teamed up for a sweet seasonal beer release: Graeter’s Pumpkin Pie Ale. The beer, inspired by the scoop shop’s Pumpkin Pie ice cream, is brewed with fresh pumpkins, lactose and pumpkin pie spices. The brewery says, “Notes of golden brown pie crust are created by brown sugar and a combination of malts, making this beer an ode to a timeless harvest staple and your favorite flavors of fall.” 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com.
The Great Pumpcan and S’more Gratitude from MadTree
Back on tap (not in cans this year), the Great Pumpcan is a “delicious ale full of spice and flavor perfect for autumn.” As far as S’more Gratitude goes, this seasonal chocolate vanilla porter is a collab with local Grateful Grahams vegan graham cracker company. Inspired by the flavor of s’mores, the brew features vanilla beans, lactose, cocoa powder and cacao nibs for “all the goodness with a lot less mess” than the traditional campfire treat. 3301 Madison Road, Oakley, madtreebrewing.com.
Home Sweet Home from Fifty West Brewing Co.
A seasonal fall brew, Home Sweet Home features “sweet potato, molasses, cinnamon, toasted pecans, and vanilla beans for a toasty and perfectly spiced nod to Mom’s Sweet Potato Pie.” 7668 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com.
Blumpkin Black Pumpkin Ale from Darkness Brewing
That’s right, y’all: Blumpkin season is back. For all you folks who spent a little too much time on Urban Dictionary growing up, get your mind out of the damn gutter: We’re talking about the seasonal black pumpkin ale from Bellevue’s Darkness Brewing! The 7.1% black pumpkin ale is brewed with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice from Colonel De’s Gourmet Herbs & Spices. 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, darknessbrewing.beer.
Cheating the Gallows Pumpkin Ale from Bad Tom Smith
This 6.2% ABV brew features nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice with roasted malt and vanilla. The brewery says it’s “a slice of pumpkin pie in a glass.” 5900 Madison Road, Madisonville, badtomsmithbrewing.com.
Pumpkin Ale from Wooden Cask Brewing Co.
Wooden Cask says this 6.1% ABV brew features more than 25 pounds of pumpkin puree and 12 pounds of molasses. It’s finished with pumpkin pie spices. 629 York St., Newport, woodencask.com.
Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie Ale from Taft’s Brewing Co.
Cincinnati’s Taft’s Brewing Co. and local diner chain Frisch’s Big Boy have collaborated on an autumn essential (for pumpkin spice lovers). The Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie Ale made its debut on Aug. 11 and is available at all Taft’s locations and in stores. The brew features hints of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, plus vanilla and lactose for a decadent and creamy flavor. Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie is a regional classic for Thanksgiving dinners, and this flavorful merge will no doubt sell out quickly. According to a response comment made by Taft’s on their Facebook page, “You should still see (the beer) in early fall if it’s not all purchased by then!” Taft’s Ale House, 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine; Taft’s Brewpourium, 4831 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, taftsbeer.com.
Jack-O-Pumpkin Ale from Sam Adams
Cincinnati-based brewery Samuel Adams has released their fall Jack-O Pumpkin ale just in time for the season. The limited-release brew features aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg and is available at dozens of area stores. Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom, 1727 Logan St., Over-the-Rhine, samueladams.com.
VIVE Pumpkin Hard Seltzer from Braxton Brewing Co.
The Covington-based brewery introduced their newest spiked seltzer in mid-September featuring a popular fall infusion of pumpkin spice. Like the brand’s other hard seltzers, the VIVE Pumpkin Spice Hard Seltzer contains 100 calories, 2 grams of carbs and has a 5% ABV. It is available in stores across Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com.
Flesh of the Pumpkin from Alexandria Brewing Co.
Nothing can introduce this beer better than the people at A.B.C themselves. ”Once a year we go searching for little pumpkins. After we find our victims, we rip out their innards and remove their skin leaving nothing but their sweet flesh. We then take that flesh, combine it with a Baltic Porter malt base and mash all that flesh right in. The fluid left is boiled with hops and pumpkin pie spices, put into a fermenter. It then has brown sugar added to make a beer that is fitting for the fall season.” 7926 Alexandria Pike #1, Alexandria, alexandriabrewingcompany.com.
Yammy Brews from Platform Brewing Co.
Platform’s seasonal Yammy brews are back, offering three different ways to enjoy the autumnal spud in sud form. The brew comes in Yammy Yammy, featuring flavors of roasted yams with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove; the S’mores Yammy, featuring flavors of marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate and lactose mixed with sweet potato ale; and the Candied Pecan Yammy, spicing up the traditional Yammy Yammy with caramelized brown sugar, pecan and vanilla. The beers are available via pick-up or delivery in six-packs or you can order a 12-pack featuring all three Yammy brews. 1201 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, platformbeer.co.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Brown Ale from Mt. Carmel Brewing Co.
This brew is a riff on Mt. Carmel’s Coffee Brown Ale, adding “notes of pumpkin spice and vanilla lactose cream.” 4362 Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road, Mt. Carmel, mtcarmelbrewing.com.
Pumpkin Ale from Rivertown Brewery and Barrel House
Rivertown’s Pumpkin Ale is making its reappearance this year, with all the spices and pumpkin flavors that almost convince you that you are sipping down a pumpkin pie instead of a spiked ale. The brew is available now in the taproom or via six-packs at local retailers. 6550 Hamilton Lebanon Road, Monroe, rivertownbrewery.com.
Chase The Devil BBA Stout from Fretboard Brewing
Blue Ash’s Fretboard Brewing is serving up a unique spin on the seasonal sipper. Their Chase the Devil stout is made with habanero, chocolate and coffee — a brew sure to warm you up as the weather cools down. The seasonal beer is available on tap and in cans for a limited time. 7800 Creek Road, Blue Ash, fretboardbrewing.com.
Spiced Apple Cider at Sons of Toil Brewery
Taking their already delicious apple cider as a base they then add in allspice, cinnamon, and brown sugar to make it even better. A great blend to really warm up your belly as the seasons get colder. 14090 Klein Road, Mt. Orab, sonsoftoilbrewing.com.
