Pumpkin Ale and More at Hamptons and North Fork Breweries

Fall doesn’t only mark the end of summer traffic, but also the arrival of everything pumpkin, from pumpkin chai lattes to pumpkin muffins and, of course, pumpkin beer! And while pumpkin beer might be getting its annual 15 minutes (rightfully so), they’re not the only brews from the burgeoning East End craft breweries that deserve recognition this fall. Here are some favorites from pumpkin to beyond.

Southampton Publick House, the oldest brewery on Long Island, might have changed locations (from Bowden Square to Jobs Lane, in Southampton Village) but they still have a delicious menu and plenty of beers to choose from. In addition to its multi-award winning roster of year-round beers on tap, Publick House will be serving another winning fall seasonal. The 2000 World Beer Champion North Fork Fresh Hop is made with two types of locally grown hops and has a lightly citrus, smooth lingering finish. Also on tap is the Abbey Double, which starts off with notes of dark candied fruit, chocolate and licorice, yet finishes dry with a hint of spiciness and presence of banana and clove, a unique amber-colored. You can also find bottles of Southampton’s Pumpkin Ale, which has a generous amount of pumpkin as well as traditional “pumpkin pie” spices to give this unusual brew a definite seasonal character. Save room for their Imperial Porter, the brewery’s authentic interpretation of what an Imperial Porter would have tasted like back in the 18th century.

Outta My Vine Pumpkin Ale is now on tap at Crooked Ladder Brewing Company on West Main Street in Riverhead. At 5.7% ABV, Stevie Czelatka, the head brewer says “this a very sessionable, medium-bodied, lightly spiced pumpkin ale brewed with fresh ginger and cinnamon.” Fresh Hop Black IPA was just released. According to Stevie, This 6% ABV beer “has a strong malty backbone, a definite roasty fruity nose and a strong resin finish which comes from the fresh hops, sourced locally from LI Hops in Jamesport.”

Long Ireland Beer Company, open seven days a week on Pulaski Street in Riverhead, is serving up fall favorites, with more than 10 beers on tap. Their 5% ABV Pumpkin Ale is brewed using real pumpkin purée and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice for a complete autumnal flavor. The pale and crystal malts help to balance the flavor along with German Tettnang Hops. Stop by for a cold one on Saturday and stay for a brewery tour.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s Leaf Pile Ale is now available! It’s like a 5.2 % ABV slice of pumpkin pie in a glass. This seasonal brew combines pumpkin with fresh whole ginger, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla bean and nutmeg to give this copper-hued ale its distinct character. And when it gets too cold, warm up with Greenport’s Anti-Freeze Ale, a malt forward, full bodied, deep red English olde ale style beer, with just enough hop balance. It’s brewed a bit strong (6.9% ABV) for sustenance and warmth on those cold winter nights.

Shelter Island Craft Brewery has four delicious fall beers on tap at their North Ferry Road tasting room this fall. Try the Forbidden Fruit: Apple Ale, the Castagna: Chestnut Porter, Twin Forks Harvest Ale or the Aunt Belma. And don’t forget to give their pairing menu a once over while your slurping these down.

Montauk Brewing Company, established in 2012, has a number of fall seasonals to choose from at the South Erie Avenue taproom. In addition to some staples, Montauk will be serving up their 6.1% ABV Pumptauk Pumpkin Ale spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger; the 6.4% ABV Wave Chaser American IPA; and brand new Raspberry Session Ale. And Hop Blonde Ale will be available in cans again, while Arrowhead Red Ale, with its slight fruitiness and hints of roasted barley, will be available in December.

Hope you’re ready to drink in this beautiful autumn weather!