Pumpkin Beer Update 2014

Fall is slowly winding down but the weather has been perfect for my pumpkin beer obsession.

As the season changes, the leaves are now on the ground or already raked up and the limbs are bare but fall is still my favorite season.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and the pumpkin beers are disappearing but I wanted to share just a few more that I found this season to add to last year's post.

Last year, I decided I wanted to try the various versions that breweries had developed. (My friends must have realized this because one day I came home and found a gift on my front porch...thank you Beer Fairy!)

This year, I decided to continue to try as many new pumpkin brews that I could find from traditional to ciders to the specialty bombers. Eventually, I figured that I need to develop a favorite one for the years to come, and decided I needed to make notes...so I am sharing my personal opinion to what I have tried. I have planned to break down the reviews in categories of 6 packs, bombers under $12, and bombers over $12. 

If you have a favorite that I did not cover, leave me a comment. I am always open to try a new one out there.

My ultimate favorite is still- (stocking up on this one!)

Shipyard Brewery - Pumpkinhead

Some favorites from last year

A couple of new ones from this year...

THESE ARE NEW BEERS OR BETTER DESCRIPTION FOR THE ONES FROM LAST YEAR...

Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale-$9 a 6 pack

I only know Shipyard because of this beer. It is a nice balanced, refreshing beer. The spice is there and the pumpkin is evident without being too much. MY FAVORITE

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin-

An intense version of Shipyard's flagship beer, Smashed Pumpkin is a bit on the high ABV side than Pumpkinhead, at 9 %. I only had one of these and never went back for it. I remember it having a little more pumpkin pie element to it.

Cambridge Brewing Company Great Pumpkin Ale-$10 for a bomber

The spices are subtle and the finish of the beer is dry. 

Southern Tier Pumpking-(Imperial Ale)

By far my favorite beer that I have found but the problem is that I can't find anywhere. This beer is the definition of pumpkin pie. It even has an almost creamy finish, like the butter of the crust is coming through.

Southern Tier Warlock-(Imperial Stout)

The darker counterpart to Pumpking. Lots of similarities and obvious differences. One thing that I feel that makes the most sense is drink Pumpking in October and Warlock in November as the weather changes.

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale-

Easy drinking but full bodied pumpkin flavor, not to spicey

Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale & Shocktop Pumpkin Wheat-

Easy drinking but not ones I go back for on a regular basis.

Harpoon UFO Pumpkin: Light on the aroma and spice, Harpoon combines pumpkin with the drinkability of a wheat beer. It works well, if that's what you're in the mood for. You could drink more than one of these and not feel like you downed a whole pumpkin pie. Not the best beer we tasted, but far from the worst.

New Belgium Pumpkick-(2014)

Last year, not a fan. It was light and the cranberry/pumpkin flavors did not seem to meld well. This year, it seems like a much different beer. Stronger pumpkin flavor with a bit of sour but not too cranberry tart. Really like this one, this year!

Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale-

Least favorite, honestly cannot remember much about this beer.

Samuel Adams Fat Jack-$8 a bomber

Surprisingly tasty compared to their 6 pack beers.

Uinta Punk'n Harvest Pumpkin Ale-

First pumpkin beer I ever tried, so I have to get at least one 6 pack a season. Definitely a real pumpkin taste. Spicy but mellow. 

Obviously, I cannot try them all but follow this link to Beer Advocate to see what others say my choices as well as others.

Beer Advocate Pumpkin Beers

New one I just found this weekend-

Cambridge Brewing Company-

Overall a well balanced pumpkin beer. Cloudy, amber color. Made with sweet pumpkins which is a prominent flavor in this beer. Not to spicy but definitely pumpkin!

Happy One Year Blog Anniversary

It has been one year since my first blog!

Happy Anniversary To Me!

The experience has been fun to share but I wish I had more time to focus on it...

I have some new ideas coming soon to share my classroom setup and other teachery ideas, as well as non teachery topics!

Camping Comforts

As summer comes to an end, (aka school starts), I think about my favorite thing to do during the summer months-CAMPING! Through the years, we have backpacked and car camped. While car camping, we have definitely found certain things that make sleeping, hanging, and eating outside more comfortable for us, as well as our 4 legged family member.

Having a dog bed has been good for Sam but also keeps less dirt out of the tent. As well as having portable chairs are a must!

Bringing yard games keeps us entertained after hiking or whatever.

Pancakes! Easily done.

The hubby prefers the French press style coffee but I discovered this fabulous product this summer. The are other brands but having an iced latte in the morning is great!

Road trip grill us the best. It is compact and versatile with the griddle and grill.

I am hoping for at least a couple more camping outings before the cool weather rolls in.

If you have camping comforts that make your camping better, please share!

 

No Soliciting Cuteness

Guests are always welcome, but when you have the sweetest dog in the world who gets overly excited by strangers or line my friends with new babies, the doorbell can be your worst enemy!

Going through Pinterest or Etsy and seeing cute or funny approaches to "No Soliciting" signs, I decided yo make my own.

What my neighbors have on their doors looked to business like-

So I came up with this, which was super easy, cute, and affordable @ $9.00-

What you need:

5x7 frame 

8x11 scrapbook paper (should resist fading)

Printer 

1 1/2 yard of 1 1/2 in wide sturdy ribbon

Hot glue gun

Picture hanger/nail/hook

I used a fun font and created a 5x7 text box to center to the sign.

I fed the ribbon through the picture for sturdiness, then hot glued the ribbon at an angle to tie a bow.

The sign is hung from the frame and then I pinned the ribbon just for show.

Now we will have to see if it keeps the surveyors, political peeps, flyer posters, and salespeople away!

Interesting New Way to Deal with Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs have intimidated me in my new skill of cooking. Thyme and Dill are my least favorite because I either get stems or waste the herbs, until tonight. Using an old gadget, hand held cheese grater, I got an idea...

Insert the stem of the thyme sprig through the fine grate and pull through. Super easy and with I would have figured this out sooner.

My pics are not great, but I got so excited to share!

You are left with a clean steam and a pinch of fresh thyme with no waste!

Summer Salad

Easy summer salad that was a hit at the last BBQ we went to.

Watermelon, Mint, & Feta

Recipe

1 small seedless watermelon

*I like cubes so I peeled the rind, cut the melon into slices! then into about 1 inch cubes

1 5 oz container of reduced fat feta (or whatever you like) crumbled

Fresh Mint leaves chopped 

Mix together and serve.

Commuting

Throughout the years, I have commuted long distances in many directions for school or work. There have been three different types of routes. One route was down a canyon and through two towns for and hour and 10 minutes to go to college. Another route was three short turns and up a mountain, 55 minutes for work. Most recent route was a short drive to hit the interstate fir 32 minutes for work. Those commutes have given me plenty of time to think, which commute is a better commute? I would prefer to bike to work but since the decision is not always mine to make. 

The commute to go to college never bothered me too much because there was no real rush hour traffic because most of my classes were mid-day and if it snowed too much, I just stayed home.

My commute to work up to mountain town was pretty mellow. No rush hour traffic to speak of except a couple of cattle drives that slowed down traffic. The down side to that commute was wind and winter weather. Few snow days off to appreciate for safety reasons but there were few days when I felt nervous driving. The views were pretty awesome and a random moose would entertain me during the drive.

My most recent commute that was mostly on the interstate was my shortest commute but more obstacles. Rush hour was tedious at times and was unpredictable so if I was going to be late, I didn't know it. On snow days, the interstate would be pretty clear but slick because of the heavy traffic.

Now that it is summer and I don't have to commute, it has me thinking about which commute I prefer, shorter, longer, scenic, and I have decided that I would prefer to bike to work...