Because what better FoCo way to celebrate fall and explore these innovative craft brews?
Every fall, Fort Collins gets a little crisper, a little cozier – and suddenly, pumpkin shows up everywhere. Lattes, muffins, candles … you name it. But this is FoCo, aka Beer Heaven, so nothing says autumn in Colorado quite like cracking open a cold, spiced-up pumpkin beer. It’s festive, it’s flavorful and it makes our Rocky Mountain fall colors even better.
So, let’s talk pumpkin beer. What’s the deal, why do people go nuts for it and where can you find the best selection in Fort Collins? (Spoiler: right here at Mulberry MAX.)
What’s pumpkin beer, and who came up with that idea?
Pumpkin beer isn’t exactly new. In fact, early American colonists had another name for it: Beer. They brewed with pumpkin routinely when barley was hard to come by.
Fast forward a couple hundred years, and craft brewers have refined this practice into an autumn art form. Think cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger – basically liquid pumpkin pie in a pint glass.
At least, that’s one iteration. Some breweries go heavy on the spice, others keep it mellow. Some make it rich and malty; others keep things lighter and crisp. That’s half the fun of pumpkin beer season: discovering which style hits your personal sweet spot.
How to choose the right pumpkin beer
Standing in front of a wall of pumpkin beers can feel like staring at a fall festival gone wild. So here’s a quick breakdown of a few of our favorites at Mulberry MAX:
- Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin (6.4% ABV): This isn’t your grand-dad’s pumpkin ale – Atomic Pumpkin punches it up with habanero heat and cinnamon for a spicy autumn ride.
- Left Hand Pumpkin Spice Latte Nitro (7.0% ABV): Imagine your favorite pumpkin spice latte, then morph it into a creamy, nitro-kissed beer with roast coffee, cinnamon and cozy fall spices.
- Denver Beer Co Hey! Pumpkin Harvest Ale (5.4% ABV): Hey! Pumpkin is a copper-hued, spice-laden harvest ale that tips its hat to the season with cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of real pumpkin.
- Crooked Stave Pun’kin Power Ale (7.0% ABV): Pun’kin Power delivers a robust blend of pumpkin and autumn spices in a beer that leans into boldness without tipping over into dessert.
- Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale (6.1% ABV): Rogue’s Pumpkin Patch, clocking in at 6.1%, layers real hand-roasted pumpkin with baking spices and a touch of orange peel for a well-balanced fall sipper.
Not sure? Grab your own assortment from our Mix-of-Six cooler. It’s the easiest way to explore without commitment. And if there’s a brew you don’t see that you want a single can of, just let us know.
Fun ways to enjoy pumpkin beer
Sure, you can just crack one open and sip, but why stop there?
- Make a shandy. Mix pumpkin beer with a splash of ginger ale for a lighter twist.
- Pair it with food. Pumpkin beers go shockingly well with BBQ, chili or even a gooey grilled cheese. (Don’t knock it till you try it.)
- Try it as dessert. A pumpkin porter alongside a slice of pecan pie? Chef’s kiss.
- Mix a Great Pumpkin cocktail. Recipe below.
And because we’re in Fort Collins, the craft beer capital of Colorado, there’s no shortage of local breweries experimenting with the style. It’s practically a rite of passage to sample a few each fall.
Try a luscious pumpkin beer cocktail: The Great Pumpkin
We’re not the only ones who love pumpkin beers. Mixology great Jim Meehan used one as a launching point for this cocktail. Pretty sure you’ll “fall” for it just like we did.
The Great Pumpkin
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pumpkin ale
- 1 ounce Laird’s apple brandy
- 1 ounce rye whiskey, such as Rittenhouse
- 1/2 ounce maple syrup
- 1 whole egg
- Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Directions
Add the pumpkin ale, apple brandy, rye, maple syrup and whole egg into a shaker and dry-shake (without ice) vigorously. Add ice and shake again until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and serve.
Stock up on pumpkin beers at Mulberry MAX
Here’s where we come in. Mulberry MAX isn’t just your neighborhood liquor store – it’s your fall headquarters for pumpkin beers in Fort Collins. We bring in seasonal favorites from across Colorado and beyond, so whether you’re a casual sipper or the person who hunts pumpkin brews like an autumnal Sherlock Holmes, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to sip into the season?
Pumpkin beer season is short, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. So why not stop by Mulberry MAX this week, browse our seasonal selection and snag a few to kick off fall right? If you’re looking for a specific brew, drop by or give us a call.
Grab one for tonight, a few for game day and maybe even a wildcard option to surprise your friends. Then let us know – what’s your go-to pumpkin beer this year?
We’ll keep the shelves stocked. You bring the cozy vibes.