Have any Pumpkin Beers dropped yet?

Im looking forward to trying Shlafly pumpkin now that have access after moving to VA.

How would you BA's rate Shlafly compared to ST Pumpking? better? worse?

 

Better. Much Better. But I'm partial.

 

Schlafly's Pumpkin is the only one I'll touch. Usually pick up a sixer in October and thats it for the year on Pumpkin beers for me.

 

You know, if the norm was to release pumpkin beers in the spring, we'd all be drinking them in the spring. If you enjoy the beer, why worry about when it gets released?

 

I thought it was very good. Pumking is very heavy on the spices, graham crackery taste and everything else. Last years Pumking for whatever reason wasn't very good to me. Something seemed to be missing. I really like Schlafly Pumpkin. One of my favorite pumpkins of last year (I probably tried around 20 different kinds) I thought it was a good combo of actual pumpkin taste and spice but here in NJ it didn't sit on the shelves very long. That may be one I try to buy early and stash away for autumn months.

 

Boy, the "oh shit, it's too early for pumpkin beer" threads have really taken off already....how many times do we need to discuss the "seasonal creep" with beers syndrome?

I LOVE pumpkin beers, and am not upset with a few of them coming out in late July - only a few of the bigger brewers do that to keep up with demand, MANY do not come out until August - September timeframe, so what's the big deal here? If you don't like them in late summer, don't buy / drink them!

I have had several from last year's stash last week when we had some cooler - autumn like weather here, and enjoyed them.....just don't understand why people get so worked up about this.....it's beer! This isn't rocket science people!

 

Yup, Pumpking here in Buffalo,NY area too. My favorite pumpkin beer.
Saranac is the worst !

 

There was a really good explanation for why some beers are released when they are in the FW Oaktoberfest thread

 

It's not so much about the beer as it is about the jumping the gun aspect - it cheapens the sense of a change in the seasons. It's the same reason people get upset when they start hearing Christmas music playing in malls before Thanksgiving. Let's enjoy what we have before charging on to the next thing, eh? Just one dude's opinion.

 

I saw a sign indicating that the Shipyard Pumpkinhead would be available here at my local store next week. Too early...

 

Not all seasonal beers end WAY before their season is over....this is an over-simplification.
This is a business, let's not forget, and it is all about getting shelf and tap space.....brewers have tons of competition these days, and the inevitable creeping in on some seasons / products is bound to occur. If Weyerbacher, Southern Tier and others did not make / release their beers when they do, they would not have the capacity to just start cranking them out in September to keep up with their demand.

Also, distributors and retailers are not forced to ship and display these products when they do, so it's the old "supply and demand" and economics at work here......I don't see the big deal with a few of the bigger brewers of the most popular pumpkin beers shipping their beers in July.....if you don't like it / want it then, then wait until September.....chill out and have a beer!

 

My growler place has Pumking and Weyerbacher Imperial on draft...2013 vintage

 

Why do people only complain about this with pumpkin ales? It happens with every seasonal beer, yet people are offended by pumpkin beers being available early. Personally, pumpkin ales can't come out soon enough. I'd like to see some year-round pumpkin beers (and before you say that they should only be made when the fruits are in season, keep in mind that hops and barley aren't year-round crops, either).

 

Pumking landed at my store late last week. The store has already sold close to 10 cases in less than a week. Crazy.

I really try to hold out on drinking pumpkin ales until late September/early October because I want to enjoy it with "the season." Sucks for me though because it's still piss warm in SC during this time. Last year, the store here was out of Pumking by Halloween. Because of that, I went ahead and bought some the day it hit the floor.

On a side note, I tried Stevens Point Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale last year and my friend and I thought it was as good as or better than Pumking. I'll be looking for that again.

 

FYI. The Iron Hill Great Pumpkin Event is September 6 this year (at least at Maple Shade). I agree it is a great event.

 

I kind of figured. Did some scouting online and saw they planned on releasing all of their pumpkins on Sept 6 so it made sense. Last year I arrived a bit late and missed the opportunity to drink from the pumpkin. Will not make that mistake again this year. I'll be there way early. Can't wait.

 

This phenomenon is certainly NOT limited to pumpkin beers. Personally I enjoy reading these threads. My wife gets pissed in August when she can't get Sam Summer any more. I'm always running around trying to find the last 12-packs.

 

Does anyone know when Souther Tier Warlock will be released? It's the only pumpkin beer I like

 

Is it really as irritating as we're making it out to be? I mean, this is not nearly as sickening as being 14 years old and seeing BACK TO SCHOOL signs everywhere one week into July.