Fall is getting closer–and it’s not just wishful thinking on my part.  One of the highlights was taking my daughter Lexie to her first college football game (Gators chomping down on UAB).  Well, technically it was my wife who took her to the actual game, as we only had two tickets;  yours truly spent the evening in a Gainesville movie theater watching The Smurfs 3D with my son Christian–and even that wasn’t half bad.  Still, we all got to bask in the electric thrill that is campus life in the fall, which really took me back to my own days at Texas A&M (was it really over twenty years ago?).  Even if you’re not a football fan, you gotta love it.

The fall seasonals have also been coming in fast and furious.  Keeping up with them all is as dirty a job as you can imagine, but I’ve been doing my best not to be derelict in my duty.  Here are a few more selections for you to peruse.

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin

It was one of those things–you know, when you say to yourself over and over again that you’re not going to do it, but then you do it anyway?  Sigh.  At eight bucks a bottle, I thought this probably wasn’t worth the risk–but since my only experience with Imperial Pumpkin ales has been with Weyerbacher, I thought it important to expand my horizons a little.

For this kind of style, you’d think that the Smashed Pumpkin would come on pretty strong.  But I have to give ol’ Pugsley credit–in spite of that 9.0% abv, he’s crafted himself a subtle ale with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, and dare I even suspect cloves?  The pumpkin doesn’t assert itself until the finish, which is nice and smooth without the slightest bitterness, nor any of the overt sweetness one would expect from such a heavy duty beer.  In short, it goes down easy–way too easy, in fact, which is why it’s a good thing that this is on the expensive side.  I could easily see this one turning into a habit.  There’s a reason fall only comes ’round once a year!

Tommyknocker Small Batch Pumpkin

Oh, those mischievous Tommyknockers!  I’m a big fan of Colorado beers in general, and this brewery makes one of my all-time faves, Jackwhacker Wheat Ale (which also has one of the best labels I’ve ever seen).  This is the first year that I’ve noticed the Small Batch Pumpkin, and it may even be the first year Tommyknocker has made this particular brew–and like their others, they put their own unique spin on a traditional style.  What’s the secret?  Believe it or not, molasses.

That’s right, molasses.  Not only does it impart a dark smoothness to the taste, it makes it rather fuller bodied without knocking you over with alcohol.  This is definitely one you drink for the flavors rather than a warming effect, much like a porter–though without the roastiness.  In all, a worthy effort that I would have again.  Definitely worth your while.

Boxcar Pumpkin Porter

Speaking of porters, this one struck me as a pretty unusual combo–so I figured what the heck.  No guts, no glory, right?  I have to admire anyone who tries to do something different with a pumpkin beer, though some fare better than others–and in this case the results were a bit mixed.  The Boxcar started off pretty promising, with a robust maltiness offset by the slight sweetness of pumpkin, but it seemed as though the hops they used to balance out the finish were a bit too bitter.  The aftertaste was a bit unpleasant, and only seemed to heighten after subsequent sips, especially as the beer warmed over the minutes in my glass.  My advice if you pick some up, although it might seem anathema to you dark beer lovers out there:  chill thoroughly and drink it down while it’s still very cold.