Fall Craft Beer Picks from a Certified Cicerone

Sep. 10, 2015

Crisp Autumn days, cooler nights, and the changing colors of foliage summon consumers' demand for heartier, richer beers. Fortunately we have a portfolio filled with seasonal cool weather options for a variety of consumer taste. 

Fall seasonal beers are the number one selling SKU this time of year and rightfully so. According to IRI data, seasonal beer makes up 15% to 25% of the more than $19.6 billion in annual craft beer sales. The Brewers Association also notes that seasonals usually jockey with IPAs for the craft beer sales title, but typically jump ahead of the hoppy-driven style once pumpkin beer season comes around. 

"Varied like the leaves themselves, these beers have deep warm colors, complexity in flavor from darker malts and occasionally use ingredients like pumpkin and spices," said Tom Smillie, Wirtz Beverage Illinois Craft Beer Specialist.  "Fall staples like Stouts, Porters and Pumpkin ales pair well with the heavier dishes made in cooler weather, and less we not forget about these beers at the Thanksgiving Day table."

Whether your customers are looking for a sweet and satisfying Pumpkin ale or a rich and robust Porter, we have the brands you need to prepare for your customers' ever-changing requests. Below are a few of this year's seasonal highlights, but contact your Sales Consultant to explore our full craft beer portfolio. 

Ballast Point Pumpkin Down

Style: Scottish Ale ABV: 5.8% IBUs: 22
The caramel and toffee maltiness of Ballast Point’s Piper Down Scottish ale is the perfect backdrop for roasted pumpkin. Just before bottling, a subtle amount of spice is added to complement, but not overwhelm, the earthy flavor.

Deschutes Black Butte

Style: Porter ABV: 5.2%
A slight hop bitterness up front enhances the distinctive chocolate and roasted finish of this classic American porter. Black Butte is prized for its creamy mouthfeel and intense complex flavors making it one of the best examples of the style out there.

Coronado Punk’in Drublic

Style: Pumpkin Beer ABV: 8.0% IBUs: 35
Brewed with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and a heaping helping of would be jack-o-lanterns, Punk’In Drublic is an imperial pumpkin ale that delivers autumn’s trademark flavors along with a hint of West Coast character.

Greenbush Unicorn Killer

Style: Pumpkin Beer ABV: 7.3% IBUs: 4.2
Unicorn Killer is beer with serious pumpkin flavor given the 650 pounds of it that go into every 15-barrel batch. While the pumpkin flavor is at the forefront, added caramel malt, dark brown sugar and seasonal spices to the brew creates a full-bodied ale that’s perfect for cool fall nights.

Seattle Cider Pumpkin Spice

Style: Spiced Cider ABV: 6.9% Brix: 2.6
This semi-sweet cider is a blend of Granny Smith, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Gala apples. Fermented with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, Seattle Cider Pumpkin Spice offers hints of the season's favorite spices followed by just a touch of pumpkin.