Despite the recently hot Southern California weather, Long Beach has been entrenched in Fall for a little over a month now. It’s the season of shorter days, colorful leaves and pumpkin everything. Here are five different takes on pumpkin-inspired beers and where you can try them in the city.
Hangar 24 Gourdgeous Pumpkin Porter
Simmzy’s on 2nd Street has quickly become a destination for beer lovers, offering a draft selection that includes 31 rotating craft beers. Currently in that lineup is Hangar 24’s Pumpkin Porter, called Gourdgeous. A mix of classical chocolate and roasted malt notes from traditional porters combines with pumpkin, cinnamon and allspice to create a smooth, strong (8.5 percent alcohol by volume) yet enjoyable brew. Think of a pumpkin spice latte teaming up with beer with the result being the perfect dessert beverage for beer geeks and casual drinkers alike. Simmzy’s is located at 5271 E. 2nd St.
Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin Ale
Shipyard Brewing Company has been pumping out delicious, award winning beers from Maine for nearly 20 years. This year’s Smashed Pumpkin Ale, part of their Pugsley’s Signature Series, is a more traditional ale. It pours a rich amber color, much like the pumpkins that make up the body of its taste. Slightly bitter and crisp, Smashed Pumpkin Ale departs from the overly-sweet pitfall that plagues a lot of other pumpkin ales. While very potent (9 percent ABV), Shipyard did a great job of masking the taste of booze. Smashed Pumpkin is currently available at Tavern On 2 in a 22-ounce bottle or can be found for take-home purchase at both Bevmo and Whole Foods Market. Tavern on 2 is located at 5110 E. 2nd St.
Timmerman’s Pumpkin Lambicus
Beachwood BBQ and Brewing recently brought home a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival for their in-house brews, but their list of rotating guest beers is sporting a shade of orange. Timmerman’s Pumpkin Lambicus, a fusion of a lambic, (a Belgian style beer with a sour, dry finish) is currently on that list. This lambicus, is light and refreshing, unlike most pumpkin beers that play off the colder weather and usually warm up your insides. It’s the perfect pumpkin beer after a long day at the beach. And considering the city’s warm October and Beachwood’s proximity to the coast, that statement isn’t that crazy. Beachwood BBQ and Brewing is located at 210 E. 3rd St.
Epic Fermentation Without Representation Pumpkin Stout
A collaboration between Epic Brewing and DC Brau Brewing Company resulted in Fermentation Without Representation, a pumpkin stout currently pouring at Congregation Ale House on Broadway. Brewed with vanilla beans and 200 pounds of pumpkin per batch, this rich and chocolaty stout is strong (8 percent ABV) and yet delicate. Like eating pumpkin pie with coffee, this beer from Epic screams after-dinner delight. It’s a great brew for people curious about the style and those already converted pumpkin lovers. Don’t worry if the keg blows before you get a taste, Whole Foods carries 22-ounce bottles for $8. Congregation Ale House is located at 201 E. Broadway.
The Bruery Autumn Maple
A curious twist on the pumpkin beer circuit, Placentia’s The Bruery uses yams in their rendition of this seasonal brew. This beer has lots of character, using cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup in cooperation with the roasted yams resulting in a complex, Fall treat for the palette. The 10 percent ABV and harvest flavors make this beer a great companion for cold autumn nights, if they ever get here. Autumn Maple is sold in a 750 ml bottle for around 11 dollars at both Whole Foods and Bevmo. Or you can just cross the Orange Curtain and buy some direct from the brewery or at their bottle shop in Orange. The Bruery Provisions is located at 143 N. Glassell St.