Bronxville on a Budget: Pumpkin Ale

Quick. I have to tell you about the most amazing thing before it’s over.

I’m sure you already know that aside from adorable children in costumes the most important thing about October is pumpkin beer.

Autumn is a time when everything should be roasted and sprinkled with nutmeg. Working those flavors into beer form is arguably one of the top five miracles of modern science.

Lately, it seems that NY breweries have truly embraced this philosophy. Everyone from Captain Lawrence to Brooklyn Brewery is offering a pumpkin ale of some sort – and they are all delicious.

As if that wasn’t enough - local craft beer establishments seem to have simultaneously been struck with the notion to serve these harvest brews in glasses rimmed with cinnamon sugar. Are you kidding me? I’ve now experienced this phenomenon at two separate pubs in Tuckahoe alone (Growlers and The Tap House). I can only hope it’s representative of a national trend.

Just as autumn winds transform our trees, painting them gold and cranberry, the cinnamon sugar rim transforms a pumpkin beer into something sweeter, like nectar. I can’t imagine a better testament (or toast) to this season of change.

With only a week left in October, I don’t know how much longer these spicy-sweet concoctions will continue to be available. My advice is to run as fast as you can to Depot Square.

If you’re on a budget, go right after work to take advantage of Happy Hour specials that end at 7 pm.

At Growlers, they offer happy hour prices on draft beers, Tues - Friday.  At The Tap House, beers are full price, but the $5 happy hour sliders are not to be missed. Either way, both you and your taste buds will come out ahead.