Seeing this thread revived makes me so happy. Fall beers are my favorites.
Fall beer
- Thread starter baller21
- Start date
I had some Backpocket Clonefest the week before last. I like that one a lot.
Hope to find some Confluence Oktoberfest when out in Ames this weekend.
Hope to find some Confluence Oktoberfest when out in Ames this weekend.
Last year Lion Bridge had the best fall beers in the area. Zombie Awakening was one of my favorite beers of the year and Oktobot 3000 was also really good. Not as big of a fan of the smoked helles.
I was "forced" to drink Hawktoberfest on Monday night. Wasn't too bad but I still feel guilty about it. Can you get Clonefest in the DSM metro?
What is the best Oktoberfest beer in everyone opinion?
What is the best Oktoberfest beer in everyone opinion?
I saw a big display of Clonefest in the Grimes Hy-Vee last week. I'm guessing others in the metro have it too.
Hawktoberfest is really really good. Sam Adams Octoberfest is still leader of the pack. There are a lot of good Octoberfest but Sam Adams is great. Also, I found Fenders Brewery in Polk City does a really good Octoberfest.
I've not really tried pumpkin beer though. Does anyone have suggestions? @ChrisMWilliams?
I got into pumpkin beers a couple years ago, and aside from football, it's the one thing I look forward to each fall. I will say, they're all very hit or miss in the sense that either they're really good or just not that great. Not much of an in between. My favorites I've had are from Dogfish Head and O'Fallon.
I find the best way to enjoy pumpkin beers is to buy a single of each of the varieties in the store . . . and throw them in the trash! 
Bell's has been my favorite one I have found. Had it on tap from the brewery a few years ago and was definitely worth the drive! Probably between their Oktoberfest or Best Brown Ale as my favorite beer overall.
Shlafly Pumkin Ale is my favorite but I don't think you can get it in Iowa anymore. I really like the Wastach Black O Lantern pumkin stout.
If it hasn't been mentioned. Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale is a fantastic fall beer.
Big Grove's Festbier is pretty good this year as well, we got a pony keg of that for a neighborhood party and it was a big hit.
Big Grove's Festbier is pretty good this year as well, we got a pony keg of that for a neighborhood party and it was a big hit.
Forgot about Schafley's. That one was solid! Headed down to KC next month for a wedding and will definitely have to look for some.
