As the leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, we start to look forward to the warm, cozy flavours of autumn.
It’s that time of year when everything is pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice lattes.
And for the non-alcoholic beer drinkers, we haven’t been forgotten about.
Non-alcoholic pumpkin beer is a thing, and it’s fantastic!
The availability can be limited, but if you can get your hands on some we highly recommend it.
What Is Non alcoholic Pumpkin Beer?
It kind of speaks for itself. Pumpkin beer is a type of beer brewed with pumpkin, pumpkin puree, or squash as one of the main ingredients.
It’s kind of become a new fad in the beer world, coinciding with the pumpkin spice trends in recent years.
But really, it has actually been around since the colonial era, when settlers would brew beer with pumpkin to make up for the lack of hops.
It’s quite far from the modern craft scene when this got popular, but we certainly won’t knock the brewers getting this back into their repertoire.
Today, pumpkin beer is starting become quite a popular seasonal beer, with many breweries releasing their own version each autumn. And as always, learning a thing or 2 each time round and dabbling with some interesting ideas along the way.
And the vast non-alcoholic pumpkin beers are brewed with real pumpkin, giving them a rich, authentic flavour.
Whether you’re looking for a unique flavour to enjoy during the fall season, or you’re searching for a alcohol-free option that still packs a flavorful punch, N/A pumpkin beer is an awesome choice.
How To Make Non Alcoholic Pumpkin Beer?
Non-alcoholic pumpkin beer is brewed in a similar fashion to traditional pumpkin beers; using malt, hops, yeast, water, as key ingredients, with the pumpkin entering the process in a few different ways.
For some beers, brewers take pumpkin, or hand-cut roasted pumpkins and leave them to ferment in the mash.
We are also seeing pumpkin purée & artificial pumpkin flavourings used in the mash also.
Or the pumpkin can be stripped of seeds and stems, then macerated or pressed so that only the juice is left.
It is also usually spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or allspice and can range in color from amber to reddish-brown.
The main difference from a traditional pumpkin beer lies in the brewing process which undergoes the typical alcohol removal process where brewers look to remove any and all traces of alcohol that could be present in the final product.
The alcohol removal process is typically down to the brewer and breweries’ preferred method for the style of beer they want, and what equipment is available to them. Which you can read a little more about how non-alcoholic beer is made if you are interested in the origins of the beer or want to try dabble in making one yourself.
And we are starting to see some really interesting non-alcoholic pumpkin beers hit the market these days.
We are even seeing pumpking stouts, pumpkin sours, pumpkin lagers, and maybe a few more surprises might pop up this year!
What Do Non-Alcoholic Pumpkin Beers Taste Like?
Non-alcoholic pumpkin beers will taste different depending on the recipe.
They can be very rich, sweet and creamy, dry and earthy, a little bit toasty and malty, or even a little spicy like a pumpkin-style ginger ale.
Some non-alcoholic pumpkin ales are barrel-aged before alcohol is removed, really adding to the complexities in flavour.
I’m not going to go and throw everything under a single umbrella here.
There are so many styles, flavours, mixes, and of course the alcohol removal process will change the flavours across the board too.
They all taste different.
But, what I can do is give a general outline of what to expect if you are really on the fence about trying one out.
In non-alcoholic pumpkin beers you can expect a subtle sweetness that tastes a lot like gem squash – rich in buttery and sugary goodness.
You can also expect in many styles flavors of caramel, hazelnut, and molasses.
Pumpkin stouts can have a sweet and creamy flavor, whereas pumpkin ales and lagers can be straight up like a pumpkin pie soda. Which is absolutely not a bad thing!
When Is It In Season?
Varieties of non-alcoholic pumpkin beers are generally available from September to November, but the most popular flavours usually sell out quickly.
It’s always best to call ahead to make sure its availabe before making a special trip.
It is selling out quick across the board! So, fingers crossed for a little extra brew this season.
Where To Buy Non alcoholic Pumpkin Beer?
If you want to find out one which is a trick and which is a treat this season check out these breweries selling our favourite pumpkin beers for 2022.
Best Foods To Pair Non-Alcoholic Pumpkin Beer With
Once you get your hands on one you’re going to want to make the most of it. We highly recommend finding a good food pairing to really enjoy the intricate flavours.
We like to generally treat non-alcoholic pumpkin beers like a side of sweet potatoes. Anything you would have with sweet potatoes you can generally pair pretty well with the pumpkin beer.
Here are some of the best foods to pair with non-alcoholic pumpkin beer:
Pumpkin Pie:
It may be an obvious one, but we’ll mention it anyway. Of course, pumpkin pie is the perfect match for non alcoholic pumpkin beer. The sweetness of the pie pairs perfectly with the slight bitterness of the beer.
Roast Turkey:
The traditional Thanksgiving favorite, roasted turkey, is also a great option to pair with non alcoholic pumpkin beer. The savory flavors of the turkey complement the sweetness of the beer.
Beef Stew:
Nothing like a warm beef stew on a cold winter evening. The spices and slight sweetness complement each other perfectly, making for a delicious and hearty meal.
Desserts:
Natural caramel and hazelnut flavours are already established in most pumpkin zero beers. So they can easily support a dessert or a mousse with chocolate, hazelnuts, amaretto or peanut butter.
FAQS
Does non-alcoholic pumpkin beer contain any alcohol?
It will depend on the brewery and the method used to remove the alcohol. But generally, like most non-alcoholic beers, pumpkin beers will also contain trace amounts of alcohol up to 0.5%abv.
When can I buy non-alcoholic pumpkin beer?
Varieties of non-alcoholic pumpkin beers are generally available from September to November, but some can be available all year round. The most popular flavors always sell out quickly.
Where can I buy non-alcoholic pumpkin beer?
We recommend going directly to the breweries we have mentioned above. Or try a trustworthy online non-alcoholic store such as Craftshack or Totalwine.