Forget pumpkin spice lattes, when it comes to fall flavors in NY, it’s all about beer

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

From lattes to ice cream, ‘tis the season for fall flavors – and beer is no exception. While many autumn brews feature the typical seasonal flavors like pumpkin and apple, some incorporate unexpected hints of chocolate, caramel, and even biscuit. Below, Urban Agenda outlines some of the best fall breweries to visit in NY in order to get the true taste of fall.

Sixpoint Brewery’s SENSI 2015

40 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn

“SENSI 2015 is made in a truly seasonal way with Amarillo and Cascade ‘wet hops.’ Typically, hops are picked and dried for preservation and used throughout the year.  Once a harvest, (in late August or early September in the Northern Hemisphere), the ‘wet hop’ cones can be taken directly off the bine and brewed. In our case, they are ‘wet hopped’ in the beer less than 24 hours after harvest.” – Sixpoint Brewery

What’s better than a brewery that advocates for excellent brews and animal welfare? Sixpoint Brewery does both with their Beer for Beasts event that raises money for the Humane Society of New York. Turning a dilapidated garage into a rustic microbrewery Sixpoint has brought their passion for fine brewing to Red Hook, Brooklyn. When they’re not supporting our furry friends, Sixpoint brews their staple beers - Sweet Action, Righteous Ale, Bengali Tiger, and The Crisp, and seasonal favorites like their fall-inspired SENSI 2015.

Alphabet City Beer Co.’s E’Ville Brown Ale

96 Avenue C, NY (between 6 & 7 Streets); 646.422.7103

“This delicious, robust ale emanates with caramel and nutty character and is balanced by a heavy dose of rich chocolate malt. Five malts and two hops makes this ale full of surprises just like walking through Tompkins Square Park on a Saturday.” – ABC Beer Co.

ABC Beer Co. is not only good at making abbreviations, but also brewing beer.   Their E’Ville Brown (short for East Village Brown) is ABC’s take on a session Brown Ale, which they claim is a great beer to ease into the cooler months. Because this is a “small batch” release, E’Ville is not available in package, but will be a draft only. In other words, you’ll likely have to seek it out at bars across NYC.   In addition to offering 350 varieties of beer in bottles to go and 12 constantly rotating taps, ABC Beer Co. serves savory treats at their rustic cheese and meat counter.

The Bronx Brewery’s Autumn Pale Ale

856 E 136^th Street, Bronx; 718.402.1000

“This seasonal pale ale is made using freshly pressed juice from apples from Soons Orchard in upstate New York.  The apples provide a dry and slight fruity taste balanced by Northern Brewer hops for a subtle wood and mint character.  We feel this is an ideal beer to enjoy when the season changes from T-shirts to sweaters.” – Bronx Brewery

The Bronx Brewery knows good pale ale, so much so that it’s the only style of beer they brew.   While they have a number of limited releases coming out during the fall months, they deem their Autumn Pale Ale to be their truest fall brew. In addition to attending a tour of the brewery, beer lovers can enjoy the Bronx Brewery Tasting Room, or even spend a day in their backyard enjoying music, brews, and good company.

Brooklyn Brewery’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale

79 N 11^th Street, Brooklyn; 718.486.7422

“Early American colonists, seeking natural ingredients for brewing ales, turned to pumpkins, which were plentiful, flavorful, and nutritious. Blended with barley malt, pumpkins became a commonly used beer ingredient. Post Road Pumpkin Ale brings back this tasty tradition. Hundreds of pounds of pumpkins are blended into the mash of each batch, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt center, and crisp finish.” – Brooklyn Brewery

The Brooklyn Brewery’s famous label with a cursive “B” in a green circle is synonymous with quality beer. Even though it is an internationally recognized brand, the microbrewery can be found in the heart of Williamsburg, NY. When their award-winning brewmasters aren’t churning out their popular Brooklyn Lager, they can be found creating seasonal gems like their Post Road Pumpkin Ale.

Gun Hill Brewing Co.’s Catskill Hop Harvest Ale

3227 Laconia Ave, Bronx; 718.881.0010

“This wet-hopped beer is brewed with 100% New York ingredients. The majority of the hops are grown by our brewery upstate in the Catskills. We hold a party at the brewery where everyone helps pick the hops directly off the vine and throws them into the tanks as we brew the beer. They were used in our signature ‘Hop Jack’ to lend a distinctive character. The resulting beer has an herbal, earthy aroma and finishes with notes of nougat and biscuit.” – Gun Hill Brewing Co.

There’s an overflow of beer and Bronx pride at Gun Hill Brewing Co. This neighborhood brewery adds a personal touch to their beer by using the brewmaster’s own hops from the Catkills in each batch. The industrial space includes a tasting room, live concerts, and often has food trucks parked outside. Whether your celebrating a Yankee’s win or looking to experience the culture of the Bronx, Gun Hill is the perfect spot to indulge in some fall brews.