If there’s a such thing as a beer season, we’d make the case that fall is that time. ‘Tis the season to swap out light pilsners and pale ales for heavier stouts and porters, which do a fantastic job of warming us up in the cooler weather. We chatted with local brewers to find out their favorite fall brew recommendations. Now all that’s left is for you to put on a flannel, gather your friends and try them all. Cheers!
Rebel Kettle Brewing Company, Little Rock
Recommendation: REDRUMPUM Imperial Pumpkin Amber Ale
What it’s like: “After spending nearly four months in Caribbean rum barrels, this 10 percent ABV monster of an amber ale has complex aromas of rich toffee, chocolate, vanilla oakiness, a hint of pumpkin spice and of course, rum,” says John Lee, co-owner and head brewer of Rebel Kettle Brewing Company. “What’s a better way to welcome in the cooler weather?”
Diamond Bear Brewing Company
Recommendation: Pig Trail Porter, previously the Paradise Porter
What it’s like: “We changed the name from Paradise Porter to Pig Trail Porter about a month ago,” says Josh Green, sales and marketing manager of Diamond Bear Brewing Company. “We feel that it better represents the style, and most importantly is a nod to our amazing state! The perfect fall companion for those cool fall nights watching the Razorbacks on the gridiron.” This near-black brew features dark coffee notes with a caramel sweetness. The Pig Trail Porter delivers complementary flavors, with dark chocolate plus coffee and roasted touches.
Lost Forty
Recommendation: Forest Queen Milk Stout
What it’s like: “This holiday season treat your guests like royalty,” says Brittany Hallmark of Yellow Rocket Concepts’ marketing team. “Our Forest Queen Milk Stout is the more sumptuous, yet lighter bodied counterpart to our Forest King Imperial Stout. [It’s] lower in ABV, but rich in flavors of toasted cacao nibs, sweetened espresso, cacao berries and roasted coffee beans. In addition to roasted barley, Forest Queen Milk Stout includes lactose, or milk sugar. We will begin canning our Forest Queen in mid-November and it will be available in the Arkansas craft beer market just in time for the holidays.”
Pro tip: Brittany recommends enjoying the Forest Queen with house-baked brownies, slices of holiday pie or a scoop of Loblolly Double Vanilla ice cream.
Flyway Brewing
Recommendation: Coffee Cake Stout
What it’s like: “The fall release in our Traditional Cake Series is a heartwarming 8.5 percent ABV,” says Jess McMullen, co-owner of Flyway. “This dark beauty is aged on bourbon-infused Madagascar vanilla beans and fresh roasted Izard chocolate Dominican cacao nibs. Mugs Café cold brew Onyx coffee lab coffee is added after fermentation. You CAN have your cake and drink it, too.”
Blue Canoe Brewing Co.
Recommendation: Whoo Brew Belgian Pale Ale
What it’s like: “We make it with some dark crystal malts, a few spices, and a spicy Belgian yeast,” says Patrick Cowan. “It screams fall from the first sip to the last. We’re also about to bring out our Papple Apple Ale. It’s a beer base (sorry, no ciders) with a good amount of apple flavor and apple pie spice type flavors. It should be on tap by next week.”