Fall is officially here (“fallorado” as the kids are calling it these days!), which means it’s time to break out the Colorado craft beers with hints of spice, nuttiness, roastiness, pumpkin and the other signature flavors of fall.
Need a little inspiration for your beer fridge or your next tasting room outing? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite Front Range craft beers to help get you in the mood for autumn (and don’t forget to check out these five fun fall experiences, too, while you’re at it!)
Death by Flapjacks — Oscar Blues
What feels more like fall than a towering stack of pancakes drizzled with maple syrup? Imagine that … in a beer. This 6.5-percent English Porter tastes like breakfast in a can, thanks to the massive maple, smooth vanilla and spicy nutmeg and cinnamon flavors (with just a hint of lemon peel). This beer is the latest iteration in Oscar Blue’s decadent “Death by” series.
“The ‘Death by’ series showcases unusual flavors like coconut, affogato and king cake, so Flapjacks was a perfectly breakfast-worthy fit for the series, with big flavors of maple and vanilla supported by honey and crystal malts,” says Oscar Blues’ Aaron Baker.
Lava Flow — Stem Ciders
Not quite ready for the cooler temperatures? Hey, that’s OK too. Give summer one last hoorah by sipping this sippable strawberry-pineapple cider from Stem Ciders, made with nearly 2,000 pounds of fresh fruit. It’s delicious in its own right, but it also makes a great, unique cocktail mixer that will impress your friends, so … bottom’s up!
Pumpkin Ale — Upslope Brewing
You can’t go wrong with Upslope’s pumpkin ale, a crowd favorite with hints of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and caramel.
Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest — Avery Brewing
Make sure you’re sitting down for this one. This big, bold 8-percent lager pairs perfectly with a warm flannel and a beanie. It’s got rich toasty malts, floral spiciness and some hoppiness.
Blueberry Cobbler Berliner — WeldWerks
No need to save room for dessert — this sour, fruited Berliner Weisse will make you think you’re straight-up drinking a piece of blueberry cobbler. It’s perfect for sipping around a campfire in the crisp fall air.
White Russian Nitro — Left Hand Brewing Company
This big, bold, 8.9-percent beer is super smooth and offers hints of coffee, vanilla and chocolate — just like the popular cocktail, except in beer form.
