By Matt Lasher

In the world of beers no style has that “American-as-apple-pie” feel like the spiced pumpkin ale. It has been said that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin all had their own individual pumpkin ale recipes. Although the pumpkin ales of our founding fathers were most likely produced out of necessity (gourd-like squashes often took the place of malted barley when grains were in short supply), the style has found a niche in today's world as an enjoyable seasonal beer. The distinctive flavor, common in most pumpkin ales, is derived from the use of traditional pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and clove). Although most brewers will use real pumpkin at some point in the brewing process, any actual pumpkin flavor is usually muted to in comparison to the other flavors. Recommendations: For the Beginner: Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale (Buffalo Bill's Brewery) Claiming the title of “America's Original” pumpkin ale, Buffalo Bill's Ale started the craft beer industry's seasonal obsession with pumpkin beers when it was first released in 1985. Buffalo Bill's pumpkin offering is one of the more subtle pumpkin ales out there. The usually dominant spices are relatively muted, allowing the usually overpowered and delicate true pumpkin flavor to show through. For the Beer Snob: Southern Tier Pumking (Stone Brewing Co.) I was pleasantly surprised to see Southern Tier's Pumking on the beer menu a couple weeks ago at The Lockview in downtown Akron. Pumking is a complex brew with distinctive toffee flavor on top of the already intense pumpkin pie spices. At 9% alcohol by volume (ABV), Pumking is the perfect autumn sipping beer. For a Local Favorite: Thirsty Dog Spiced Pumpkin Ale (Thirsty Dog Brewing Company) The Thirsty Dog Spiced Pumpkin Ale offers a great balance between malty sweetness and pumpkin pie spice. You can find the Thirsty Dog Spiced Pumpkin Ale on tap at The Winking Lizard (with or without a brown sugar rim) while their supplies last. Cheers (with beers)! Matt@MimiVanderhaven.com