Beer

This image displays a 12 oz bottle of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, highlighting the label’s distinct pumpkin-themed design. The beer, known for its strong caramel, pumpkin, and spice flavors, has a higher alcohol content (8.6% ABV) and appeals to those who enjoy sweet, dessert-like beers. The pumpkin-headed mascot on the label emphasizes the playful and seasonal aspect of this imperial ale.

Review of Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale

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Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale delivers a bold blend of caramel, pumpkin, and spices, making it a unique choice for those who enjoy sweeter, stronger beers. The beer starts with a punch of caramel that dominates the flavor, almost candy-like in its intensity, but this sweetness tends to overshadow the pumpkin and spice elements that should balance the profile. If you’re a fan of caramel-heavy flavors, this one might be for you, but for others, it might come off as a bit artificial.

A 12 oz bottle and a glass of Southern Tier Brewing Company's Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale on a cutting table at Williamsburg Garment Company.

The beer finishes with a noticeable alcohol warmth and a bitter edge that contrasts with the sweetness. While it’s certainly not a subtle beer, it offers an intense experience that could appeal to those who prefer dessert-like brews. However, the overpowering caramel and artificial sweetness make it a bit too much for my palate, so I only revisit it once a year to see how it holds up. If you’re curious where this beer lands among the best pumpkin ales, check out our Pumpkin Beers Ranked post for the full list.

  • Style: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 8.6 %
  • IBUs: 28
  • Brewer: Southern Tier Brewing Company, based in Lakewood, New York, is a craft brewery.

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12 oz bottle of Flying Dog Brewery’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale against a white background, showcasing its vibrant label with a snarling dog illustration.

Review: Rethinking Flying Dog’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale

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Year after year, I’ve revisited Flying Dog Brewery’s The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, always leaving it unreviewed due to my previous disinterest. However, something changed with this year’s batch. Whether it’s a tweak in the brewing process or a shift in my own tastes after sampling so many pumpkin beers, I found myself appreciating it anew. The usual bitterness in the finish seemed toned down, yet it retained a rich, robust body with subtle undertones of pumpkin and spice. It deftly masks its 9% ABV well, making the drinking experience surprisingly smooth.

12-ounce bottle of Flying Dog Brewery's The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale next to a glass filled with the dark beer, showcased on a countertop with a blurry background emphasizing the beer's creamy head and rich color.

Dark, rich black ales aren’t usually something that I pick from the shelves, but The Fear has grown on me. It’s compelling enough that I wouldn’t hesitate to order another round. It’s proof of its solid construction as an imperial pumpkin ale, which I look forward to revisiting every year. The 2024 batch gets a definite thumbs up. With a blend of Carabrown, Midnight Wheat, Chocolate, and Vienna malts, complemented by Warrior and Willamette hops, this brew skillfully balances a spice-forward profile without tipping into overt sweetness. Here’s to more pleasant surprises in the seasons to come!

  • Style: Imperial Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 9 %
  • IBUs: 45
  • Brewer: FX Matt Brewing Company, based in Utica, New York, is a family-owned brewery

Read our blog post “A Fluid List: The Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked,” to find out where The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, ranks in our top pumpkin beers list.

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The product is a 16-ounce can of Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., which features orange packaging with white pumpkin illustrations against a white background.
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Review of Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.

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Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. is a solid choice for pumpkin beer lovers, though it doesn’t quite reach the top tier. This ale offers a mild sweetness balanced with a pleasant spice kick, featuring notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of candied yams. The warm pie crust finish rounds out the flavor profile nicely, and the 6.1% ABV provides a gentle warmth without overpowering the other elements.

While it might not be the most standout pumpkin ale on the market, it holds its own and sits comfortably in the middle of the pack. If you appreciate pumpkin beers, Gourdgeous Pumpkin is worth picking up. You can’t go wrong with a four-pack for the season. Are you curious to see where Gourdgeous Pumpkin Ale ranks among the best pumpkin beers? Check out our Best Pumpkin Beers Ranked list for more insights.

  • Style: Pumpkin Ale
  • ABV: 6.1 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Brewer: Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., Waltham, Massachusetts-brewed, craft brewery

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A 16-oz can of Blueberry Crunchee Imperial Blueberry Granola Berliner Weisse by Other Half Brewing on a white background.

Best Blueberry Beer I’ve Had: Blueberry Crunchee from Other Half Brewery

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My can of Other Half Blueberry Crunchee Imperial Blueberry Granola Berliner Weisse poured into the glass, thick like a smoothie. I’ll admit, it had been sitting in my fridge for at least four months, waiting to be reviewed. Naturally, I wondered if the age had affected it, so I checked the brewery’s website to see if I had waited too long to crack it open.

The Other Half Brewing described the beer as “a parfait in a can with a huge dose of blueberries, our hand-mixed granola blend, and some milk sugar.” What do you know? That’s exactly what I got.

Thick, sweet, and delicious. The beer tastes and looks just as they described it. If I were handed this in a blind taste test, I wouldn’t have guessed it was a beer. Maybe some kind of fruit-heavy, odd, thick cocktail. But not beer. The good thing is that it is a beer.

Having sampled my share of blueberry beers, I’ve never been moved enough by any to write a review. Blueberry is a fruit flavor that’s always had promise, but I just hadn’t tasted one that lived up to its full potential—until I cracked open a can of Blueberry Crunchee. Needless to say, it’s the best blueberry beer I’ve ever tasted, even with its weird thickness.

Tasty and bold at 7.5% ABV, a mild buzz kicks in just before finishing the glass. I can see in the glass residue why this beer is so thick and juicy. It’s just that: thick and juicy, stuffed with everything advertised, a parfait in a can with a huge dose of blueberries, a hand-mixed granola blend, and some milk sugar.

I’d definitely go for more Blueberry Crunchee beers if I didn’t have to watch my blood sugar levels. For those who don’t, go out and find a six-pack. You won’t be disappointed.

  • Style: Berliner Weisse
  • ABV: 7.4 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Tasting Notes: Heavy almond, dry coconut, vanilla, and lots of blueberry. Sweet with a quick drop to a very mild pucker.
  • Brewer: Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn, New York-based craft brewery

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A can of Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company with a colorful design featuring a vintage van, poppies, and a rainbow on a white background.

Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company: A Hefeweizen to Remember

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I’ll admit, I picked up Reizendbier by Alementary Brewing Company mainly because I was on the hunt for a new craft Hefeweizen, and the can’s artwork caught my eye. I thought I had struck gold with this one. It was smooth and flavorful, free from any small brewer’s bitterness. It was a joy to drink. My only regret at the time? For the review, I only bought one can.

Reizendbier poured a cloudy, light golden color with a nice white head. While it didn’t have a strong aroma, that didn’t detract from its appeal. The real magic happened in the taste—this is where Reizendbier truly shone. It was perfect for a hot day—light enough to be fully refreshing yet packed with enough flavor to keep you interested.

Reizendbier was brewed with a balanced mix of 50% Pilsner malt and 50% wheat, complemented by European aroma hops, and fermented with a world-famous yeast. Alementary Brewing Company believed that sometimes style didn’t need creative input; it just needed to be made well. And brewed well, this beer certainly was.

Unfortunately, not all good things last. Alementary Brewing Company announced on January 29, 2024, that they were closing their business due to a contract business that fell through and a not-so-great fourth quarter in 2023. They closed their doors in April 2024, leaving a void in the craft beer community. Even outstanding beers can meet an untimely end, but Reizendbier remains a testament to their brewing excellence.

If you are lucky enough to find a can of Reizendbier on a shelf somewhere, don’t hesitate to buy it. It’s a delicious investment and a fitting tribute to a truly exceptional beer. Rest in peace, Reizendbier. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

  • Style: Hefeweizen-Style Wheat Beer
  • ABV: 5.25 %
  • IBUs: 10
  • Season: Year-round
  • Brewer: Alementary Brewing Company, Hackensack, New Jersey-based, craft microbrewery

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A 12 ounce can of Greenport Harbor Brewing Beehave Summer Ale with a blue and white design on a white background.

Greenport Harbor Summer Ale Review: A Refreshing Taste of Summer in a Glass

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Greenport Harbor’s seasonal Summer Ale hits the mark as an easy-drinking brew, perfect for unwinding on warm days or balmy nights. This golden ale pours a brilliant, sunlit hue, enticing the senses with its subtle wheat notes and a delicate floral aroma imparted by a touch of orange blossom honey. On the palate, it’s incredibly smooth and refreshing, with a balanced malt profile that provides a gentle sweetness, expertly countered by a crisp, clean finish. The beer boasts a moderate hop presence, adding a whisper of bitterness that lingers just enough to cleanse the palate and beckon another sip. This seasonal gem is a true embodiment of summer in a glass, offering a delightful and refreshing escape with every sip.

  • Style: Golden Ale
  • ABV: 5.3 %
  • IBUs: N/A
  • Seasonal: Summer
  • Tasting Notes: Moderate hops, brewed with a hint of orange blossom honey, offering a light, slightly sweet, and floral finish.
  • Brewer: Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Greenport, New York-based craft brewery

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