Here we are again. The problem isn’t finding a pumpkin beer, it is finding the right one for you. I’ll begin by discussing the beers that I have already reviewed, go over some new arrivals that I recommend, and then go over whether or not to sugar the rim of the glass. Off we go!

In the past, I had said if you enjoy pumpkin pie, you cannot go wrong with Southern Tier Imperial Pumking. If you enjoy the spicier side of pumpkin beers, then Dogfish head Punkin or Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale are the ones you should look for. The Bruery Autumn Maple is actually made with yams, but it is super complex, with maple, vanilla, ginger and other spices sure to please the more discriminating palate, while Cambridge Brewing Company’s Great Pumpkin Ale is probably the most balanced of all of the pumpkin ales. Shipyard Pumpkinhead is everywhere, and most people seem to like it. If you are having a get-together around this time of year, I would be sure to get some. It is the safest bet not to offend anyone and is a quite serviceable pumpkin beer.

On to the new offerings. I have one word for what has happened since my last pumpkin beer column: Variety. Gone are the days of just regular American ale brewed with some pumpkin pie spices and some pumpkin in the mash at a temperature to leave some residual sweetness in the final product. What follows is something for everyone. You can purchase these beers locally at bars and at liquor stores that stock craft beer.

La Parcela, Jolly Pumpkin Artisanal Ales (6.0% ABV)
This is nothing even close to a typical pumpkin ale. It poured a hazy, dark yellow with a huge head that disappeared and vibrant carbonation. The aroma was of tart lemon and of pumpkin pie with all of the spices present. This sour ale played on the pumpkin components so well, it kept me guessing just what this beer was. Sour ale? Pumpkin ale? Saison? Was this aged in a barrel? Who cares! I have often spoken about beers changing as they warmed, and La Parcela is no different. This will be in my glass on Halloween. There are a few other sour ales that came on the market recently, such as Almanac Pumpkin Sour and Boulevard Funky Pumpkin. Don’t be afraid of them.

Pumpkin Down, Ballast Point Brewing Company (5.8% ABV)
This would be my favorite actual beer from these West Coast brewers if it wasn’t for classics such as Victory at Sea and Sculpin. What they did here is take a Scottish ale, known for being on the dark side and often utilizing peat-smoked malts, and kicked that up with pumpkin. Most pumpkin ales are closer to orange, whereas this one is closer to a deep reddish-brown. They added a touch of pumpkin spice to accentuate, but not overwhelm, what was already going on with the Scottish ale and pumpkin marriage. This is a dark pumpkin ale with so many deep nuances that is near impossible to put down. Do not tell me you do not like dark beers until you have tried this.

Roadsmary’s Baby, Two Roads Brewing Company (6.8% ABV)
Pumpkin, pumpkin pie spices and vanilla aged in rum barrels. Sounds like a perfect beer for a pirate – or someone in a pirate costume. This looks like a typical pumpkin ale, but the similarities end there. It smells like someone took your typical pumpkin ale and dropped a vanilla bean and a shot of rum in it. Trust me, it tastes as good as it sounds, and the mouthfeel is a little on the thin side, which makes it super drinkable. Add some vanilla ice cream to this one and make a float.

So, should you use cinnamon sugar on the rim of your glass with these beers? If you like it, go for it. However, if you do, do not use water on the rim of the glass. That works better with salt for a margarita. I recommend using either honey or maple syrup. It will hold the sugar mixture better. Use your judgment as to which coating to use with your beer.

Personally, I like just having half of my glass rim getting the sugar treatment, if at all. I have the option of using it for just decoration or actually drinking from it. In the end, it’s your beer.