Adam and I are HUGE fans of summer. We can’t seem to get enough vitamin D, lakes and of course PATIOS. This summer flew by far too fast, and we’re having a hard time adjusting to the cooler temps, fewer daylight hours and rain.
One of the redeeming factors of the new season is the delicious beers available. We are ready to leave behind the IPAs and blondes for darker stouts, brown ales and lagers. Here are five beers that are making us fall in love with FALL.
Bairín Breac, Haye’s Public House
The Bairin Breac at Haye’s Public House in Buffalo, MN is one of our all time favorite beers ever. This Celtic Dark Ale is brewed in collaboration with The Abundant Kitchen with whole loaves of Bairnbrack Bread thrown into the mash, giving the dark beer rich notes of raisins, orange peel, currants, & spices perfect beer for a cool fall evening.
Sweet Miss – Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Beaver Island Brewing
We’re suckers for a good stout, and Beaver Island continues to have one of our favorites. Sweet Miss(issippi) is a chocolate oatmeal stout that’s thick, rich and just the right amount of sweet. Even better — if you can find it — is their award-winning Sweet Miss soaked w/ Vanilla and Coffee. Yummm!
Harvest Helles, 56 Brewing
56 Brewing in NE Minneapolis threw a heck of a Harvest Party this year. In addition to vendors, live music and a killer petting zoo, they debuted a couple new beers including Harvest Helles — an easy-drinking, smooth fall lager made with locally grown and malted grain perfect for enjoying Minnesota’s all-too short harvest season.
Nuttin’ Better, Copper Trail Brewing
Right up there with a great stout is our appreciation for a great brown ale, and Coppertrail Brewing’s Nuttin’ Better is one of the best. Just the right amount of dark, malty and (you guessed it) nutty.
Oktoberfest, Voyageur Brewing
We recently took a long weekend trip up to the North Shore and made a first-time visit to Grand Marais where Voyageur Brewing was celebrating a very German Oktoberfest. It only seemed fitting we celebrate with a pint of Oktoberfest, and boy, are we glad we did — it was the best Okoberfest we’ve had yet — smooth, crisp and wonderfully rich. They say there’s nothing better than beer made with Lake Superior water, and Voyageur’s Oktoberfest makes it hard to argue.
So there you have it — our top five favorite beers this fall. What are you drinking?
