Fall flavours that go beyond pumpkin spice

Opinion

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This article was published 26/10/2019 (2142 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Every month seems to bring a whole slew of new local beer offerings, be they seasonal or otherwise, and October is no different.

Pumpkin beers aside — and there are plenty of them to set aside — some of this month’s crop of new brews include some additional, non-traditional ingredients. While they’re anything but scary, these flavoured beers might just be ideal for enjoying while doing your duty doling out Halloween candies.

Half Pints Brewing Co. Major Tomcat Brut Saison (Winnipeg — $3.88/473ml cans, brewery as well as select Liquor Marts and beer vendors)

Half Pints’ latest seasonal brew is medium gold in colour and hazy, with a bright white head. On the nose it brings loads of spice, bread dough, yeast, fresh malt and hints of banana candy. The “brut” indicates this saison is made in a dry style, and it’s accurate — the bright wheat, malt and white pepper notes are fresh and dry, while the underlying and subtle banana candy note adds complexity without sweetness. The 5.9 per cent alcohol on this saison isn’t overpowering, but brings some guts to this delicious brew. ★★★★ out of five

Nonsuch Brewing Co. Honey Oat Saison (Winnipeg — $4/473ml cans, brewery and select beer vendors)

The newest brew from Nonsuch is a farmhouse ale that’s deep gold in colour and slightly hazy, and features local honey in the mix. That honeyed note comes through aromatically, with secondary malt and oat notes that are equally attractive. On the medium-bodied palate the rounder, richer (but only slightly sweet) honey notes work well in contrast with the yeast and malt notes, while the 6.8 per cent alcohol provides a pleasant kick. It’s complex and hearty — perfect for cooler weather. ★★★★ out of five

Little Brown Jug IPA (Winnipeg — $3.65/473ml can, brewery as well as select Liquor Marts and beer vendors)

Medium gold in colour and hazy, with a slightly off-white head, Little Brown Jug’s latest version of their seasonal IPA offers spice, banana peel/bread, ripe citrus and fresh malt notes aromatically. It’s a crisp, light-plus bodied IPA with only moderate bitterness, instead leading with a clove/spice note often found in Little Brown Jug’s offerings as well as peppery and herbal notes. At 6.5 per cent alcohol it’s relatively punchy for this brewery, but everything’s very well integrated. ★★★1/2 out of five

Grain to Glass Creamsicle Ale (Winnipeg — $3.28/473ml cans, select beer vendors and Liquor Marts)

This ale is brewed with lactose as well as natural orange and vanilla extract. It’s pale gold and slightly hazy, with a white head; aromatically it couldn’t smell more like a Creamsicle, with the orange candy and vanilla notes coming front and centre, with secondary fresh malt and yeast notes. Texturally the medium-sweet ale offers some creaminess thanks to the lactose, while the orange and vanilla flavours of this 5.5 per cent alcohol beer will bring childhood memories flooding back as the kids come around for candy. ★★★ out of five

Barn Hammer Brewing Co. Witch Hunt (Winnipeg — $4.95/473ml cans, brewery and select beer vendors)

This witbier from Barn Hammer is infused with rooibos tea and lemon; medium gold and hazy in appearance, those tea and lemon notes are subtle, with the latter coming through more distinctly as the former lingers in the background with the wheat and spice notes. It’s just a touch off-dry, with loads of fresh herbal and lemon zest notes flavour-wise that work well with the tea notes. Those flavouring components don’t overwhelm the wheaty, malty core of this compelling 5.5 per cent beer that will cast a spell on most beer lovers. ★★★★ out of five

Sookram’s Brewing Co. As You Wish Buttercup ($4.15/473ml can, brewery and select beer vendors)

Deep cola brown in colour and with an off-white head, the name of this salted chocolate caramel porter tips the hat the classic 1980s film The Princess Bride. Aromatically, the roasted malt and caramel notes work well with the slightly sweet and salty notes from the addition of lactose and Himalayan salt, respectively. On the medium-bodied, off-dry palate everything comes together quite nicely, with a brisk salinity that helps the roasted malt, mocha and dark chocolate notes pop. At five per cent alcohol the finish is in check; it’s a fun dark brew that will help take the edge off a chilly fall night of trick-or-treaters. ★★★1/2 out of five

Kilter Brewing S’Mores Scout (Winnipeg — $4.10/473ml can, brewery and select beer vendors)

Kilter dubs this a “campfire s’mores stout brewed with graham cracker, toasted marshmallow, cocoa, smoked malt, milk sugar, and a touch of cinnamon and vanilla” — a mouthful indeed. It’s deep cola brown in colour with a rich beige head, and aromatically delivers on the s’mores front, with a touch of mocha that’s pleasant. On the full-bodied, chewy and medium-sweet palate the s’mores notes are spot on, with the cocoa/milk chocolate notes out front followed by graham crackers and some toasty marshmallow notes. Think of it as Halloween candy for grown-ups, but beware: the 7.5 per cent packs a spooky punch. ★★★1/2 out of five

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