Three Cheers for Autumn Beers

As we head deeper into autumn, the bounty of the harvest months unfold at our tables and in our fridges. While you're craving hearty stews, casseroles, and Crockpots full of seasonal offerings, don't neglect your pint glass. Wave goodbye to summer shandy and embrace a rich assortment of fall beers with a flavor profile that goes well beyond pumpkin.

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

Brewed with pale, Munich, biscuit, and caramel malts, this ale is the pure, golden glow of October sunsets distilled into a drink. Thanks to roasted Louisiana pecans, the ale has a delicate, nutty flavor that pairs well with both red meat and seafood. Although it's name might harken pancake syrup to mind, the flavors are crisp and not cloying.

Dog Fish Head Punkin Ale

Rich, spicy and decadently smooth, this ale packs a punch with 7% alcohol by volume. The pumpkin flavors aren't concentrated--think more caramel and less pie--but each sip delivers a delightful combination of sweet and sharp. The beer itself is named after a classic fall tradition: punkin' chunkin'. Each year's brew is slightly different, so this is one to check out when it's available.

Red Dragon Hard Apple Cider with Pinot Grigio

True, this isn't a beer, but it's a delightful bottle that you can't pass up. The sharp tang of apples pairs beautifully with the soft, dry notes of the pinot, resulting in a perfect balance of fruits. It's 6.5% alcohol by volume and bubbly, so consider this a great alternative for the usual champagne with holiday dinners (I mean, get both. You can't go wrong.)

The Bruery Autumn Maple

All the classic flavors are here--nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon, molasses, maple syrup and allspice. And then The Bruery turns tradition on it's head by adding yams. That's right, yams. The orange things your grandma used to cover in marshmallows and burn in the oven. But dismiss the overly sweet assumptions, because this beer is a bold, yeasty brew perfect for a chilly night on the porch, waiting for trick-or-treaters.

Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale

It's rare to find a reasonably priced ale with sophisticated flavor, but Samuel Smith has spent nearly 200 years perfecting their craft so it's no surprise that their fall offering is high quality. This creamy brown beer has notes of dried fruit, toasted nuts, toffee, and grains, with a medium body and lingering sweetness. If you're a baker, this is the perfect bottle to pour into bread, dark chocolate cake batter or even to baste a bird.

21st Amendment Monk's Blood

This dark, Belgian style beer is brewed with Mission figs and barrel aged to achieve it's acclaimed full bodied flavor. The 8.1% alcohol by volume is nestled between folds of creamy bourbon, vanilla, oak, and pepper. It's surprisingly drinkable with none of the thickness you'd expect from such pungent flavor notes, and pairs well with just about everything.

Now it's your turn--which seasonal beers are in your fridge? And which ones from this list are you most excited to try?