What's on Tap: Legends of the Fall

By Brett Neal

We at YHTS are here to help you answer the one question you are asked on a daily basis but are always ill-prepared for: "What would you like to drink?" No matter what restaurant you are dining at, the waiter/waitresses always hands you the food menu first, forcing you into making poor choices upon his or her next arrival. They're are 3 ways your brain knows how to approach this: 


1) The no-brainer: The server returns out of nowhere; you've been trapped. Before your brain has even processed the question, your mouth has made the decision for you, resulting in you drinking a dull flavored light beer. Ex: Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light

2) Water-boarding: This is not your first rodeo, you know the server's antics. But you still don't know what you want to drink. You ask for "water, to start" ...but you forgot to ask for a drink menu. After the server disappears, you turn to the bar and squint your eyes to see what's on tap. You only recognize a few, and are curious about the others, but out of nowhere your server returns. Panic sets in, and you make a rash decision. Ex: Dos Equis, Shiner Bock, Stella Artois

3) Inquisition: Your brain and stomach are on the same page, they know you want a beer and you wont settle for anything less than an full bodied pint. You ask for a beer menu before you've been seated. So far so good. Then comes the change up: "Sir we don't have a beer menu." You begin to question your decision to attend said restaurant. Then you ask your server what's on tap. From what you can tell, the server is knowledgeable, rattling off all 20 beers on tap. The problem is, neither of you have tried the latter half of the beers aforementioned. You now have three options: 1) Leave your seat at the table and ask the bar tender for more information. 2) gamble on a beer you've never tried because is has a cool name. 3) Bud Light. 

We recommend you skip all three of these steps and write these beers down on the notes section of your iPhone 8. Our team has done the research for you, selecting 25 beers you will find either on tap at your favorite happy hour spot, or at your neighborhood liquor store. Listed below are a variety of beers with different tastes to pick from that are guaranteed to satisfy you this Autumn.

Märzen (Oktoberfests) and other Fall Seasonals

Oktoberfest beers are arguably my favorite beers, and it's a shame they are only out for a limited time. The original German name of this brew is Märzenbier, which means "march beer." Back in the 1500's, the beer brewing season started in the fall and ended in the spring, skipping over the summer because the higher risk of bacteria. The beer brewed in march would be stored in cold caves and consumed throughout summer, but the remaining beer would be served at the beginning of the fall to celebrate the new harvest and brewing season. Nowadays, all over the world we have annual festivals, most commonly known as Oktoberfest. Here are the ones we recommend.

Saint Arnold's: Oktoberfest

Similar in taste to Samuel Adams Octoberfest, but Saint Arnold takes the cake. This Oktoberfest is a full bodied, malty, slightly sweet beer celebrating the Autumn harvest. This rich beer has a round malt flavor and an above average alcohol content perfect for a cool fall evening. This is my all-time favorite beer of the fall, and would drink it year-round if it was available. Known as Texas' oldest craft brewery, Saint Arnold has its fair share of beers on market in Texas, but Oktoberfest is arguably their best. Get some before it's all gone.  

Karbach: Krunkin' Pumpkin

Pumpkin Ale just didn't sound like my cup of tea, and I was really skeptical of this beer when I saw it in stores last week. However, I noticed all kinds of pumpkin brews as I walked down the isle. I wasn't going to buy a 6 pack right away, but later on I was able to talk a bartender into letting me try out a 6 ounce glass of the Krunkin' Pumpkin. It was phenomenal. I wouldn't say this beer tastes like pumpkin, but the smell sure does lead the mouth to believe your about to taste pumpkin pie. There's obviously a great assortment of fall spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. But the aftertaste has almost a brown sugar sweetness to it. I will be getting more of this beer while it is in stores. I was very happy with my decision to step out and try it. This Katy, TX brewery has been doing very well for itself ever since its opening in 2011.

Sierra Nevada: Tumbler

This could actually fall under the brown ale category, but since it is only out for a limited time, we'll classify it as a fall seasonal. Tumbler is what Sierra Nevada's calls their Autumn brown ale, featuring roasted malt with full, complex toasted aromas and nutty flavor. This beer also contains a hint of smoke, making it a great choice if your planning on sitting by a campfire. If your looking to pair it with food, Sierra Nevada recommends honey baked ham or smoked Gouda cheese. Nothing says Fall like smoked Gouda and beer. I've always said that.

Goose Island: Harvest Ale

One of this season's best brews comes from Chicago, Illinois. Goose Island Harvest Ale is a copper colored beer that resembles this season's changing leaves. This beer is made with Cascade hops and the richest Midwestern malts, giving it a crisp taste similar to an American pale ale (very similar to St. Arnold's Fancy Lawnmower). A fruity American hop aroma and toasty malt character make the Harvest Ale and extra special beer worthy of your devotion. Haven't seen this on tap in too many places, but you can definitely find it in plenty of stores.

Magic Hat: Séance

Magic hat #9 is one of the few fruitier beers that I enjoy. Magic Hat Séance is another. Staying true to their roots, Séance is a darker beer, rich with earthy hues and flavors. It starts with a mild tartness them comes with hoppy bitterness.  You will find subtle hints of  fruit, and heavily toasted grains. Honestly it is my least favorite of the fall seasonals listed in this article, but if you like weird beers then go for it. 

Wheat Beers

Under the wheat beer umbrella are hefeweizens and white ales. These two beers are especially best in the late spring and summer months. However, the Fall is no different in Texas, as the temperature wont drop below 80 until late October (sometimes December). Today, almost all of these beers are brewed with coriander, orange, and other spices which give the beer that satisfying citrus taste and smell to relax you after a hard days work. 

Blue Moon: Belgian White

Not trying to confuse anybody, this is your typical Blue Moon that is available in stores and on tap year round. It's just one of those beers that you can enjoy at any time of day, any month of the year. The Belgian White is almost always served with a sliced orange on the glass, as if the beer needs more citrus than it already has. Whatever, nobody has ever complained. All white ales definitely have that distinct citrus taste, but the difference between this beer and other white ales is the sweetness of the orange. Apparently, other wheat beers are brewed using more bitter orange peels, typically from Curacao. On the other hand, Blue Moon uses Valencia oranges, which are much sweeter than it's Caribbean cousin.

Weihenstephaner: Hefe Weissbier

Beer advocates have been raving about this beer for a while now, as the Weihenstaphaner brewery claims to be the oldest in the world. This naturally cloudy hefeweizen is really refreshing and goes great with all meals. It has a rich yeasty taste, and still contains a hint of bitter citrus. A lot of restaurants with a large selection of tap beer carry an assortment of Weihenstephaner brews. They also have a slightly darker wheat version of the Hefe Weissbier called the Dunkel, which is also very tasty if you prefer a fuller bodied beer. 

Harpoon: UFO White

Light, crisp, and refreshing, UFO White follows the tradition of spiced wheat beers that      have been brewed in Belgium for well over 300 years. UFO White is the perfect choice for a fall tailgate, a night out with friends, or any time you're thirsting for something a little different. The reason it is named UFO is because of the beer being "unfiltered," which leaves you with more flavor and apparently more B vitamins from the yeast. Since its debut in 2009, UFO White has been brewed with hand-ground spices to make sure it maintained the proper consistency. All that hard work seems to be worth it – UFO White is Harpoon's fastest selling beer. Don't forget to try their UFO Pumpkin as well.

Brown Ales

Fun fact: brown ales are named after their color. Brown ales tend to be lightly hopped, and fairly mildly flavored, often with a nutty taste. The smell of brown ales usually reflect coffee beans, toasted pecans, or even chocolate. These beers just keep getting better as the weather gets colder. Many people I know "don't like dark beers," but obviously they are just intimidated by their coloration and just haven't tried them. Do yourself a favor and try these out.

Big Sky: Moose Drool

People probably shy away from trying this beer because of its name, but Moose Drool is one of the nations premier brown ales. I highly recommend this beer, it might be my favorite as far as a brown ale. For a dark beer, it is extremely drinkable and complements most foods exceptionally well. Big Sky uses four different malts in this brown ale, but it has just the right amount of hops to keep it from being too sweet. You will definitely taste a mix of toasted pecan, chocolate, and caramel, making this beer a great one to drink on a chilly night.

Dogfish Head: Indian Brown Ale

The Indian Brown Ale and Moose Drool are definitely my top two brown ales, but I can't decide which I like more. What's cool about the Indian Brown Ale is that it has characteristics of each style that inspired it: the color of an American Brown, the caramel notes of a Scotch Ale, and the hopping regimen of an India Pale Ale. This beer is brewed with Aromatic barley and organic brown sugar, which gives off notes of coffee, molasses, ginger. Dogfish Head's Indian Brown Ale is available year-round, so you should be able to find it at most retailers and pubs.

Rogue: Hazelnut Brown Nectar

First off, this is a truly awesome name for a beer. The only thing I don't like is the balding gentleman on the bottle's label. But between their Hazelnut Brown Nectar and their Dead Guy Ale, this Newport, Oregon brewery has a solid 1-2 punch in this fall line up. Rogue's Brown Nectar adds a nutty twist to a traditional European brown ale. The Hazelnut aroma and flavor is what makes this beer near the top of my list. The rich nutty flavor combined with the smooth malty finish makes it a good beer to sip on while reading a book (if people still do that.) 

Miscellaneous Brews

There are many other beers that will satisfy your thirst this Fall that don't fit in the categories above.

Blue Moon: Mountain Abbey Ale

Blue Moon makes some pretty outstanding beers (except for the Agave Nectar Ale.)  This beer was brewed with the Colorado winter in mind, but we know that the fall can get pretty cold too. Early on in the brewery’s history, Blue Moon brewmasters wanted to create a beer that would do the trick on a snowy day (Ok, we don't get snow in Texas often, so drink this on days with freezing rain.) Today, Mountain Abbey Ale is brewed with roasted malts and dark Belgian candy sugar for rich caramel and toffee notes. It’s perfect on those freezing days when you don't want to go outside.

Rogue: Dead Guy

Don't shy away from this beer just because of it's name. The name Dead Guy Ale was created in the early 1990's, when Rogue created a tap design for their beer in honor of the Mayan "Day of the Dead," which occurs every year November 1st (Hey, another pointless holiday to drink on!) The label became so popular in Oregon that they decided to name their German Maibock after it. This brew is a deep honey color, and contains a light caramel taste. Some say it reminds them of a graham cracker... and who doesn't love beer that tastes like graham crackers. 

Drinker's Choice

Brett's Brew - No Label: Ridgeback

You've already heard my opinion on Saint Arnold's Oktoberfest, so I wont reiterate. Outside of the list above, I do have another favorite for the time being. No Label is a Katy, Texas Brewery which opened for business just this year. For running out of an old rice silo, they make some pretty fine beers. They're Pale Horse and El Hefe are always a good choice, but my favorite right now is their Ridgeback. Named after the owner's dog, No Label Ridgeback Ale is a Dark American Amber with strong flavors of caramel and roasted malts.  Balanced with just the right amount of Cascade and Golding hops for a sweet but slightly bitter ale. Should be found all over Houston right now, but this Katy brewery is rapidly expanding their market.

Adam's Brew - Shiner: Holiday Cheer

I don't really have a particular beer that I especially love during the the Fall. But the Fall does mean that the Holidays are just around the corner. As winter approaches, so does Shiner's Holiday Cheer. As soon as you crack open a bottle, the peach smell hits your nose. The peach flavor is followed up but a light pecan undertone and has a slightly hoppy finish. For how sweet it is, it has a lighter body then most holiday beers making it extremely drinkable. 

Blake's Brew - Saint Arnold's: Endeavour

It's not a double IPA. It's an IPA squared. I am a huge fan of IPAs, and double IPAs can sometimes be a bit much. That is not the case with Endeavour. I can drink this beer all I want, although it's definitely not recommended to consume more than 2 in one sitting. Endeavor is such a tasty treat. I always get excited when I see it at a liquor store or bar in Houston. Not only is it my favorite beer, it's also my favorite of any St. Arnold's beer. Now that's saying something. I've only found it on tap while in Houston, but you can taste the hoppy goodness by going to any Central Market in Texas.

Travis' Brew - Keystone: Light

It's what I drink at TCU tailgates. So sue me.

Marsh's Brew - Austin Beer Works: Pearl Snap

It's a common trait among Austinites to badger you with products produced in our town and tell you how much better said product is than the one you prefer. The truth is, most of this smugness comes from people who aren't actually from here. 

However, there are some things worth being smug about and priding ourselves on; Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tito's Vodka, Franklin's BBQ, stoned Matthew McConaughey jamming out on the bongos... Austin Beer Works is another one of those things. The Pearl Snap is my favorite in their arsenal. If you are a fan of hoppy beer, this will be right up your ally. 

Marsh's Bonus Brew - Six Point Craft Ales: Resin

Resin is absolutely delicious and a must for anyone who's a fan of hoppy beers. But be warned it's very, very hoppy. Like first Easter Sunday hoppy. 

Also---there are some other things you'll want to know..

WARNING: THIS BEER IS DECEIVINGLY WEAK. BUT I ASSURE YOU, IT'S NOT. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE RED BULL SHAPE OF THE CAN. THIS DEVIL IN ALUMINUM ACTUALLY CONTAINS 9.1% ALCOHOL.

DO NOT CONSUME 10 AT A HAYES CARLL CONCERT THINKING THEY ARE THE STANDARD SUB 5% beers. 

SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE: EMBARRASSING YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU WERE DENIED A DATE BY A GIRL WHO WORKS AT A SANDWICH SHOP.

MAY UNLEASH YOUR INNER HEISENBERG...

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED...

RESIN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR: ADULT MALE SADNESS, DRUNK DIALING SOMEONE YOU HOOKED UP WITH ONE TIME, BURNING THINGS, PASSING OUT AND NEARLY MISSING WORK THE NEXT DAY, PUKING AT WORK, REGRET...