What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.

Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.5

As I sipped on my Pumpkin Spice Latte® this weekend I was thinking what can be better in the fall with flavors of cinnamon, ginger, all spice and nutmeg…… Well Duh, all of these flavors in beer! The change in the weather and leaves not only brings us Oktoberfest but Pumpkin ales and lagers. Pumpkin beer for me encompasses the flavors of fall in one glass.

Brewers get very creative when making these beers, most using real pumpkin while adding classic fall spices; ginger, all spice, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, etc. Brewers also change flavors with the style of yeast they use, whether they use traditional ale, lager or Belgian yeast all of these yeasts will influence the flavor profile of the beer.

At Bergseth Bros. we are fortunate to carry many brands that excel in making award winning pumpkin ales, lagers and ciders.

Below is an excerpt from an interview with Jennifer Glanville, Manager & Brewer with Samuel Adams.

Jennifer from Samuel Adams……………This year we are releasing three pumpkin beers – all made with real pumpkins and perfectly capture the essence of the season. Our three pumpkin beers are Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin (the first pumpkin ale we ever brewed), Fat Jack (an Imperial pumpkin ale) and brewed for the first time this year, Pumpkin Batch (a pumpkin saison).

What qualities best distinguish Samuel Adams’ pumpkin options this year?

Pumpkin Batch is a twist on a traditional pumpkin recipe using Belgian yeast to create a pumpkin saison. It’s brewed with real pumpkin to create a rich, smooth character and a Belgian ale yeast to impart a spicy clove and fruity character to complement the pumpkin flavor. Traditional spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice add layers of warm spice notes.

Harvest Pumpkin Ale is a favorite style of our drinkers and one that we have been brewing now for five years. It was brewed only for employees prior to 2010! It’s a modern adaptation of a traditional New England pumpkin ale. Lacking the ability to produce barley, early colonists brewed with pumpkin. Our Pumpkin Ale is brewed with real pumpkin but also uses four different malt varieties to create a smooth, rich flavor and unmistakable malty character. The addition of classic spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg provides a subtle warmth to this malty brew.

And for serious pumpkin lovers, we have Samuel Adams Fat Jack, a double pumpkin ale brewed with more than 28 pounds of real pumpkins per barrel and traditional pumpkin spices. It’s brewed with classic pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice that complement the roasted and smoked malts which add hints of malasses and caramel. It finishes smooth with a lingering, subtle heat from its 8.5% ABV strength and spices. Its 22 oz. bottle is perfect for sharing on a crisp fall night! View the full article at http://bumpinpumpkinbeer.com/interview/qa-with-samuel-adams-boston-beer-company/