By Timothy Long

Did you ever think about where inspiration comes from? What causes an idea to pop into your head?  For me, it’s often in the oddest places, and at the oddest times.

I was walking through Whole Foods looking to buy lunch. I decided on sushi. As I was headed to the self-checkout, a store display stopped me in my tracks. It was a pumpkin beer display. Now, pumpkin beer displays in the fall are not uncommon. But the date was July 29^th. I know that for a fact because the first thing I did was pull out my phone to check the date. Yep, July 29^th. And I had already just had a pumpkin beer sighting. I immediately looked around to see if they had any Christmas displays up as well. They didn’t. But August was still two days away.

I was raised Catholic. The priests used to teach us that God was ubiquitous. Pumpkin spice is now giving God a run for his money. It’s unavoidable in the fall, and now, evidently, in July. It appears in almost every consumable product imaginable: beer, coffee, cake mix, cookies, cocoa, protein shakes, bacon, and even hemorrhoid cream. Alright, I made the last two up to emphasize the point.

I associate pumpkin with October, as most people do. I just can’t fathom anything with pumpkin in it being marketable in July. But it must be. Or that display would not be sitting on my path to the checkout. Even Linus would not be looking for the Great Pumkin yet.  He doesn’t go to the pumpkin patch until Halloween.

I want to make it clear that I don’t hate pumpkin beer, but I don’t love it either. If it’s a well brewed beer, and the pumpkin flavor isn’t overwhelming, a pumpkin beer can be enjoyable. But riddle me this Batman: why would I choose to drink a pumpkin beer, when I can have an Oktoberfest beer?  Many of the local breweries are releasing Oktoberfest beers early this year. I can’t disparage that. In fact, I’m all for it. Fest Bier or Marzen, it doesn’t matter, I love Oktoberfest beer.

I decided to stop by one of my favorite haunts, Port City Brewing Company. I sidled up to the bar and started chatting with Justin, the bartender. Justin is an institution at Port City. He informed me that they did not have pumpkin beer yet. (I worked hard to mask disappointment.) Then Justin pointed to the board and said, “But we have released our German Pilsner and Oktoberfest.” (I didn’t even try to mask my delight.) Both are good, but the German Pilsner is one of my all-time favorites.

The Port City Oktoberfest is a Marzen-style lager. It’s brewed with German hops and malts in the Keller style, meaning it’s naturally carbonated and unfiltered. It has a delightful malt flavor with hints of toasted bread. The German Pilsner is superb. A light refreshing true pilsner also brewed in the Keller style with lightly sweet malt flavor and a crisp finish. This beer won a gold medal in 2019 at the Great American Beer Festival.

I then had a chance to chat with Ryan Pederson, Port City’s Tasting Room General Manager. Ryan has worked all over the country; he has an impressive amount of experience. He informs me that they do have a pumpkin beer coming out on October 25^th, the time of year that a pumpkin beer should be released. It’s Belgian style with autumn and pumpkin spices, Virginia grown wheat, and local honey. I’m sure it’ll be good. He also informs me that their German Schwarzbier is about to be released, and that the Oktoberfest Rauch beer will be released on September 23^rd. I look forward to both every year and highly recommend them.

Ryan then goes behind the bar and pours me a Franconian Kellerbier, a German Lager, from a Lukr Faucet, a tap that many refer to as a side pull.  Originally created to pour Czech pilsners, this different-looking draft faucet features a ball valve handle that you pull horizontally to pour beer from and a spout that you insert into the glass to fill it. These taps better aerate the beer and create a thicker creamier head. With its light amber color and notes of herbal hops, this beer is fantastic.

Here are a couple of other local fall releases you may enjoy.

Aslin Beer Company has their Festbier out now. It’s a great German Golden Lager. They’re also releasing Pumpkin Spice Stout in September.

Denizens Brewing Company has released their Hike the Alps Marzen, an amber lager that showcases a sweet bready malt profile balanced by floral hops. In late September, their Hike the Alps Rauchbier is coming out. It’s brewed with European smoked malted barley and a unique lager strain. This red-colored lager has an aroma of wood-fire smoke. I look forward to both. Denizen’s Brewing does a great job.

There will be releases of Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers throughout our area. It’s a great reason to visit your local brewery and give them a try. Yes, I prefer the Oktoberfest beers. But everyone’s palate is different. There are some good pumpkin beers out there. For me, again, the key is that the pumpkin taste doesn’t overpower the beer. It should be mild, not heavy. It should add flavor but, not be the only flavor.

I was back in Whole Foods recently and saw a display for Pumpkin Spice Hard Tea. I had to laugh. Will the madness ever end?

As for the Oktoberfest beers, taste and enjoy them all season long! You won’t be disappointed! Prost!!

Tim’s Whiskey (Rum) and Cigar Recommendation

Blade and Bow Bourbon

Yes, I recommended it last year, but I don’t care. As fall approaches, I always recommend Blade and Bow Bourbon. You’ll detect peaches, honey, and hay on the nose. But then the white pepper, vanilla, oak, and spice on the palate make for a fantastic smooth experience. I must admit that I love this bourbon. There is always a bottle of this distilled delight on my shelf. But it never seems to be there for very long. At $50 a bottle and 91 Proof, it’s a perfect Oktoberfest match.

Buffalo Trace Toro

Yes, it’s a gimmick. But it’s a well-done gimmick. I had to try this cigar. And I was quite pleased with it. This is a medium cigar. There are a lot of flavors up front when you first light it; spice, white pepper, and leather. As you get into the cigar, chocolate comes through. You also start to get some caramel and coffee notes. The spice picks up toward the end of the smoke but doesn’t overwhelm. Dark fruit also comes into play as you finish.

This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com