Beer: The pumpkin patch

“There are so many pumpkin beers on the shelves these days, it’s tough to figure out what’s a trick and what’s a treat,” said Lee Breslouer in Thrillist.com. Our tasting panel sampled a field’s worth to identify examples we can stand behind. Below, three favorites.

Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby A “devilishly delicious” take on a barrel-aged pumpkin beer, this Connecticut brew blends flavors of vanilla and oak with “intoxicating” pumpkin-spice aromas. Dogfish Head Punkin Easy-drinking and easy to find, this old reliable from Delaware’s leading brewery is “the pumpkin beer for people who say they don’t like pumpkin beers.” New Belgium Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin This unique pumpkin IPA might be “the perfect Halloween drink.” Forget any pumpkin-pie analogies. This one starts sweet and hoppy—until the Saigon cinnamon and habañero add “dastardly” heat.