When the leaves start to turn and the air gets a little colder, it can only mean one thing: fall is here. During this time of year, seasonal dishes and drinks like butternut squash soup, pumpkin-spiced coffee, fresh apple cider, and lots of pie. But for beer enthusiasts, fall means pumpkin brews. Although pumpkin beer is a hot topic for debate, there’s no denying that it brings a whole new combination of flavors and depth to the table.
Banko Beverage Co provides alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to the Greater Lehigh Valley area year-round, and we make it a point to provide these seasonal beverages when the time is right. Here, Banko Beverage Co describes the features of pumpkin beer and provides you with a few breweries that produce amazing, hoppy, pumpkin-flavored ales, stouts, and other beers.
Infusing the Flavors of the Season
You may be surprised to learn that the pumpkin isn’t always included in the brewing process for pumpkin beers. That enchanting flavor you desire so much is actually a mix of spices, and this spice mix is known as pumpkin spice. The base spice mixture includes the following:
- Ground allspice
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Ground ginger
- Nutmeg
These five spices give us that sweet warming flavor used in pies, coffee, tea, and beer. While some companies use the flesh of the pumpkin and mix it with the mash or malt that’s being fermented, most brewers use this warming spice blend to give their beverages that traditional flavor we’ve come to associate with the autumnal season.
Wide Variations from Brewery to Brewery
Even though many breweries use a similar spice mix to achieve that beloved flavor, no two pumpkin beers are alike. The brewing process varies from company to company, and because of this, the type of beer they make differs as well. Pumpkin beers can come in different styles like:
- Ale
- IPA
- Lager
- Porter
- Stout
Because the style of beer varies, so does the alcohol by volume (ABV). Typically, IPAs, porters, and stouts have a higher ABV than ales and lagers. Additionally, these styles already have a unique flavor profile that makes them instantly recognizable. An IPA traditionally has a hoppier flavor, so the brewers take that into account when adding the pumpkin spice. Similarly, stouts have more depth, often boasting notes of chocolate and/or coffee, so those breweries may change the spice ratio to complement their existing flavor profile.
Pumpkin Beer Carried by Banko Beverage Co
At Banko Beverage Co, we understand that there’s a high demand for these products during the season, which is why we stock up on the seasonal beverages our suppliers produce. We carry several nationally recognized brands, as well as hard-to-find brews and selections from local brands in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. To learn more about the pumpkin beer your restaurant, bar, store, or another establishment can receive through Banko Beverage Co, contact us today.