Autumn

There is nothing in this world quite like Fall in New England. Specifically, there is nothing like driving from the Berkshires into Southern Vermont, through the Green Mountains and the cacophonous foliage of those vast hills. Reaching the Apple Barn is like reaching the distant destination of dreams. Upon entering, the pumpkins and apples and cider and people create an unreplicable experience. I am sad that this year I will most likely not have this experience. Life is getting in the way of a trip to the North. I must say, though, that I am grateful to those who try to capture this experience, especially to those who try to capture it in a bottle.

I am generally a fan of seasonal beer, but Fall beers top all others. Summer beers are nice, especially when it gets really hot, and I quite enjoy some of them (Magic Hat Hocus Pocus, Harpoon UFO, Landshark, etc.). But they cannot compare to the experience of a fall beer--getting the first whiff of the spiciness, taking the first sip of the tastiness, feeling like you're consuming dried up leaves, pumpkins, the harvest, and new england autumn. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the massive amount of work I have to complete this fall, but so far I have been enjoying a nice sampling of some of the best Fall has to offer.

I entered Total Wine the other day, totally not expecting fall beers to be out yet, and I was supremely surprised to see the wonderful selection they had amassed. Thus far I have savored Magic Hat's "Jinx," Fordham's "Close Encounter Harvest Ale," and now Flying Fish's "Oktoberfish."

Close Encounter ***
Jinx ***1/2
Oktoberfish ****

I think I'd like to change my chosen career and become a beer critic.