“There are three things that I’ve learned to never discuss with people; religion, politics and pumpkin beers.” – L. Van Pelt (paraphrased)

It seems the list of things dividing people these days is growing longer and longer and you can include pumpkin beers on that list. While some will extoll the perennial pumpkin palooza (we even heard there’s a pumpkin spice Mac n’ cheese now), there seems to be an equal number who kvetch at the mere mention of the ubiquitous autumnal gourd. We fall on the former side. We are fans of pumpkin beers, especially ones brewed with actual pumpkin that have that earthy, harvest flavor (which is why we’ll miss the Annual CBC Great Pumpkin Festival this year). However, we place no judgement on those of you who favor the pumpkin beers that taste like candy, complete with a cinnamon-sugar rim as we’ve been known to drink those as well.

We actually did a pumpkin blind beer tasting a few years ago (won by Slumbrew who sadly closed their doors for good recently) and didn’t tell the participants what the style of beer was beforehand. Predictably there was a strong reaction to the announcement of the style and to the beers themselves. We did get some converts as we were able to demonstrate the breadth of options within the style from stouts and porters to ales and pie spiced versions. Here in Massachusetts there are currently plenty of pumpkin beers to whet your whistle. The list below includes a variety of gourd goodies to bring to your next pumpkin party or to fill your pumpkin beer tap. (Some of these beers may be sold out so please check availability)

Cambridge Brewing Company The Great Pumpkin Ale (Cambridge, MA) – Having the distinction of being the first brewery to brew a pumpkin beer in New England (first brewed in 1990), this subtly spiced brew is made with local sugar pumpkins and is on tap at CBC and in distribution in 16oz cans.

67 Degrees Brewing Plumpin’ Pumpkin (Franklin, MA) – A pumpkin ale collaboration with Mine Brook Brewing

Altruist Brewing Pumpkin Pi (Sturbridge, MA) – “Heavy on the pumpkin, light on the spice.” Available on draft and in cans to go from their brewery.

Amherst Brewing Pumpkin Ale (Amherst, MA) – Made with local pumpkins, butternut squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove.

Amory’s Tomb XIII (Maynard, MA) -A “magical” amber farmhouse ale brewed with local roasted sugar pumpkins, flame raisins, Kazbek hops and then fermented with a unique Belgian yeast blend.

Barnstable Brewing Wobbly Jack (Barnstable, MA) – A pumpkin ale made with real pumpkins, brown sugar and vanilla beans. Available in 16oz 4pks at their brewery from their online store.

BearMoose Brewing Oh My Gourd (Everett, MA) – Pumpkin-spiced ale available with the cinnamon-sugar rim

Black Hat Brew Works Linus’ Dream (Bridgewater, MA) – A 6.8% pumpkin ale that is light on the spice and very drinkable.

Cape Cod Beer Pumpkin Coffee Dunkel Weizen (Hyannis, MA) – This dark wheat beer is infused with coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin. Avaiiable only at the brewery complete with cinnamon-sugar rim!

Clown Shoes Beer Gordo (Boston, MA) – A 10.5% Imperial Pumpkin Stout aged in WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Barrels. It was released in 19.2oz cans in early August so it may be a little harder to find.

Craftroots Brewing Autumn Ale (Milford, MA) – This brilliant copper-colored beer is brewed with real pumpkin and a very light touch of pie spice.

Crue Brew 21 Pumpkins (Raynham, MA) – Made with roasted pumpkins, brown sugar and the “good stuff” cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

East Regiment Beer Co. Dunkel S. Pumpkins and Reggie Pumps (Salem, MA) Two different beer styles, a dunkel and a hefeweizen, made with pumpkin to try right in the heart of Witch City.

Harpoon Dunkin’ Pumpkin (Boston, MA) – Bringing together two local institutions, this brew evokes the seasonal pumpkin latté and is made with real pumpkin and coffee. Available in bottles or as part of the Dunkin’ Dozen Mix 12 Pack.

Hitchcock Brewing Nice Rumpkin (Bernardston, MA) – Made with smoked/roasted local pumpkins and squash, this brew is available at the brewery and local package stores and restaurants.

Hopsters Brewing Basic Witch (Boston and Newton, MA) – Pumpkin ale brewed with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom and Clove.

Ipswich Ale Pumpkin Porter (Ipswich, MA) – A brown porter made with pumpkins and spices is available on draft and in 16oz 4pks.

The Kells Beer Company Pumpkin Royale and Lil’ Pumpkin (Natick, MA) – Two pumpkin beers from this Natick brewery; Royale is an imperial with fresh baked pumpkin, honey, cinnamon, clove and ginger and Lil’ has fresh baked local sugar pumpkin, honey, pie spice and vanilla.

Leadfoot Brewing Mr. Jack (Chicopee, MA) – Do you know Jack? That’s Mr. Jack. Made with real pumpkin and subtly spiced.

Lookout Farm Beer & Cider Pumpkin Patch (Natick, MA) – Although not a beer, Lookout makes a hard pumpkin cider that is conditioned with over 1,000 lbs of fresh picked, roasted sugar pumpkins and harvest spice. 4-packs are available to go at their Market Shop.

Lost Shoe Brewing Eastwitch (Marlboro, MA) – This pumpkin ale is brewed with Madagascar Vanilla Beans, spices, “hundreds of pounds of pumpkins” and fermented with a Belgian yeast.

Medusa Brewing Witchfinder General Smoked Pumpkin Stout (Hudson, MA) – This offering is brewed with pumpkins, but no spices. It gets a kick from the specialty beech-smoked malts.

Merrimack Ales Pumpkin Ale (Lowell, MA) – An ale with a delicate blend of pumpkin and spices.

Mighty Squirrel Gourdgeous Pumpkin (Waltham, MA) –  A pumpkin ale brewed with subtle notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, candied yams, and a rich, warm pie crust finish.

Moby Dick Brewing Pumpkin Ale (New Bedford, MA) – This easy-drinking seasonal ale is made with pumpkin and spices.

Oak & Iron Brewing Wacko Jacko (Andover, MA) – A dark pumpkin beer made with pumpkins, molasses, maple syrup and spices.

Oakholm Brewing Pumpkin Carver (Brookfield, MA) – This new brewery has jumped into the pumpkin beer game with a fully fall brew conditioned on vanilla beans. Available on draft and to go from their brewery.

Old Colony Brewing Pumpkin Ale (Whitman, MA) – Made with pumpkin and spices. **They are moving to a new location and won’t have the new space open for a few weeks.

Naukabout Beer Company Pumpkin Spice Milkshake IPA (Mashpee, MA) – 4pks of this brew made with pumpkin, spices and lactose are available at their brewery.

Night Shift Brewing Pumpkin Piescraper (Everett, MA) – Night Shift has made their first ever pumpkin beer and its filled with vanilla, spices, maple syrup and lactose for full fall flavor. Available at the brewery an in distribution.

Redemption Rock Brewing I Can’t Even (Worcester, MA) – A pumpkin spaced latte stout made with coffee from Acoustic Java Roastery and packed with spices.

Samuel Adams Jack-O (Boston, MA) – A balanced beer made with cinnamon and nutmeg, it is available in wide release including in the Sweater Weather Fall Mix Pack.

Skyroc Brewing Pumpkin Patch (Attleboro, MA) – A harvest time pumpkin beer.  They also have a Pumpkin Seltzer.

Spencer Brewery Monster Mash (Spencer, MA) – The Monks at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer have come up with one of the best names for a pumpkin beer that displays their sense of humour. They don’t allow visitors at the brewery, but the beer is in distribution.

Stellwagen Beer Pumpkin Pie Frostee (Marshfield, MA) – A NEDIPA conditioned on Madagascar vanilla beans, spices and pumpkin purée.

Sterling Street Brewery Down With the Pumpkin (Clinton, MA) – This brewery opened in October just in time to brew the seasonal pumpkin beer that you can get with a cinnamon-sugar rim.

Tap Brewing Company Pumpkin Eater (Haverhill, MA) – Made with real pumpkin and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and allspice.

Tree House Brewing Acadia Nights (Charlton, MA) – Yes, Tree House has made a pumpkin beer! It’s an Imperial Milk Stout with pumpkin and autumn spices.

Tin Bridge Brewing Master of Pumpkins (Original and Anniversary Edition) (Westfield, MA) – The Original is a 10% Imperial Pumpkin Stout brewed w/ pumpkin, spices, honey and aged on cinnamon sticks, vanilla and pumpkin spice. The Anniversary Edition is a 13% Imperial Pumpkin Stout aged in ex-bourbon/maple syrup barrels finished with spices, cinnamon sticks, pumpkin spice and vanilla.

Troy City Brewing Baker St. (Fall River, MA) – Pumpkin ale brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon and harvest spices.

UFO Pumpkin (Boston, MA) – A hefeweizen with real pumpkin and fall spices.

Wachusett Brewing Boo-Yeah (Westminster, MA) – Pumpkin ale with spices on tap and in distribution in 12oz cans.

Wandering Star Craft Brewery The Sincerest (Pittsfield, MA) – This earthy brew is made with pumpkin, butternut squash and added spices cinnamon and ginger

Westfield River White Pumpkin (Southwick, MA) – Brewed with white wheat, sugar pumpkins and cinnamon, it is available on draft and in 16oz 4pks.

Wormtown Brewing Fresh Patch (Worcester, MA) – Made with fresh local pumpkins and a “secret spice recipe,” this beer is on tap and in distribution in 16oz cans.

Wormtown Brewing Table Talk Pumpkin Pie Ale (Worcester, MA) – Made with real Table Talk Pies, this pumpkin pie ale not only gives you the spices but also the breadyness of the crust.

A few non-Massachusetts pumpkin beers worth checking out:

Avery Brewing Rumpkin (Boulder, CO) – A rum barrel-aged brew coming in at a whopping 16.3% so tread lightly or share with friends.

Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela (Dexter, MI) – Wild pumpkin ale with a kick of cacao nibs and aged on oak.

Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby (Stratford, CT) – A rum barrel-aged pumpkin ale that has notes of oak, vanilla and rum in addition to pumpkin spices.

Southern Tier Warlock (Lakewood, NY) – Although Pumking is a notable offering from this New York brewery, we prefer it’s more “mischievous” companion Warlock, which is an 8.6% Imperial Stout made with pumpkin and spices.

And of course if you want the mother-of-all pumpkin spice beers that seems incomplete without the cinnamon-sugar rim, then Shipyard Pumpkinhead (Portland, ME) is your choice. This wheat ale with a blend of spices including cinnamon and nutmeg has been around since 1995.

If there are pumpkin beer recommendations you’d like to make, please leave them in the comment section and may the Great Pumpkin rise in your pumpkin patch this year to bring you lots of beer. (photos of beer from brewery websites and social media)

Related: CBC Fall Fest is happening October 16-17, 2020 – Click HERE for details and reservations