Before the leaves begin to turn and long before Halloween arrives, fall is already making its way onto beer shelves. That means one thing for seasonal beer fans: pumpkin beer season is here—fall starts early in Bourbon Country.
First released in 2013, Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale has become a seasonal favorite for drinkers looking for something richer and more layered than a traditional pumpkin ale. Brewed with pumpkin butter and a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, the beer is 100% barrel-aged in ex-bourbon barrels, creating layers of pumpkin, brown sugar, baking spice and oak alongside a warming bourbon character.
“Pumpkin beer has become one of those seasonal traditions that people either look forward to every year or haven’t quite discovered yet, and exploring different styles can be part of the fun,” said Ben Robin, Visitor Center Manager at Town Branch Distillery and Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. “For those who haven’t found their pumpkin beer yet, we invite you to come on down to Kentucky, explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and let our Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale be your first experience.”
Not All Pumpkin Beers Are Created Equal
The pumpkin beer category has grown well beyond simply adding pumpkin and spices to a pale ale. Today, pumpkin beers can range from crisp and refreshing to dark, rich and dessert-like, making the category worth exploring even for drinkers who may have written off pumpkin beer in the past.
For those new to the category, a few things are worth looking for:
- Start with the spice. Cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice are common, but many of the best pumpkin beers balance those flavors rather than allowing any one spice to dominate. Think of the difference between a well-made pumpkin pie and a bottle of pumpkin spice.
- Look for balance. Pumpkin itself can be subtle in beer. A well-crafted pumpkin ale can bring together malt, spice, sweetness and bitterness without becoming overwhelmingly sweet. You have to try several to truly understand what’s right for you.
- Pay attention to the finish. Barrel-aged pumpkin beers can add another dimension, with oak, vanilla, caramel and bourbon notes extending the finish and making the beer particularly well suited to slow sipping.
- Don’t be afraid of a bigger beer. At 10% ABV, Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale is well-suited for sipping, while many higher-ABV beer styles use additional alcohol to bring greater structure, dimension and complexity to the glass. As consumer palates continue to evolve, these bigger beers are increasingly finding a place at the table, where their richer flavors can also make them natural partners for hearty dishes and seasonal desserts.
Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale has long been recognized over the years for its distinctive approach to barrel-aging within the category, including accolades from the World Beer Championships and a No. 8 ranking in USA Today’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Top 10 Best Fall Seasonal Beers. The result is a beer that sits comfortably between two Kentucky traditions: the arrival of fall and the craftsmanship of Bourbon Country.
And while pumpkin beer may arrive earlier than expected, there is good reason. Seasonal releases give consumers the opportunity to enjoy these beers throughout the transition from summer into fall, no matter where they are or when the weather changes. As temperatures begin to cool, warming spice, malt and barrel character become increasingly at home in the glass.
The limited annual release is available beginning in August and will remain available through the fall, while supplies last. Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale is offered in four-pack bottles and can be found at participating retailers across the brand’s distribution footprint. Consumers can visit Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.’s online Product Finder to locate Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale near them.
