Seasonal Sipping

I've been absent a few days while enduring the last minute rush before the start of school. In an extremely odd schedule this year, my chitlins started classes on a Wednesday....and who even knows the logic behind that foolishness??! Not I, but that being said, the days are now quieter....and I'm hoping they'll prove to be more conducive to Hallowe'en Crafting. Only time will tell on that one however, as Fall Semester is a busy season at school with Volleyball in full swing. But my hopes remain high!

So as with most things Hallowe'en inspired...the Seasonal Ales/Beers are also starting to make their appearance earlier and earlier. I read that we used to not see them on store shelves until late Sept. to early Oct. But now they are starting to show up in August. I say, why not enjoy those first sips of Autumn Spiced Ale early? If you wait to stock up in October, you might find the supply has dwindled away and been replaced by Christmas Ales.
I found a few new ones, at least new to me....(which I'm sure may be old news to any Beer aficionados out there). But I think my favorite thing about the Seasonal Ales would have to be the packaging. I am the biggest sucker on the planet for Hallowe'en design on products. Most of the time I don't even particularly dig the flavor of the spices in these seasonal specialty brews, but I'll buy them just to sit out on the counter so I can look at them....pathetic I know. But just get a gander at the label above on New Holland's Ichabod Pumpkin Ale! I mean that's just a spooky-cool label for a Hallowe'en Beer, don't ya think?!

And even cooler are the posters for their seasonal release parties, check 'em out. I don't know about ya'll, but they totally make me want to attend their event and throw back a few! (All New Holland Images © New Holland Brewing Company) And kudos to the artists' on their work here...as I could not find the names of who actually designed these, but I love their work.)
I also love this Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale! And it's description does make it sound most appealing and tasty..."Down to the hooting details: Night Owl is an easy-drinking pumpkin ale made with Pale, Munich and Crystal malts, green and roasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin in the mash, boil and fermenter. It is bittered with Magnum hops and spiced in conditioning with nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger and allspice. " Yum Yum!Or even the Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale below...it just looks so 'Autumn-ish' and it makes me want to sit outside on a crisp Fall day in an adirondack chair, sipping on my Pumpkin Ale....watching colored leaves twirling by on the wind. That's what good packaging can do for a product! Are any of you connoisseurs of Autumn Ales? And if so, what labels would you recommend for seasonal sipping? We always buy some to serve at our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party, so inquiring minds would like to know! :o)
(Pumpkin Ale Trio Photo © Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)