Beer Reviews: Two Roads Ok2berfest & Ballast Point Pumpkin Down

Summer isn't officially over but the fall seasonal products have been out for like a month now. Having not done a beer post in awhile I figured I'd pick some up and write about them.

So the other day I posted a well received meme on social media that said "HOW TO ENJOY PUMPKIN BEER. STEP 1: THROW IT IN THE TRASH." so you can guess that I'm not a big fan of pumpkin beer. Pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, even pumpkin cider is absolutely delicious. Pumpkin coffee? No. Pumpkin beer? No. But if it's by a brewery that I know makes great beer and great fruit and veggie beer? I just might be curious because they might have the exception. Because Ballast Point makes great beer and outstanding fruit and veggie beer, I'm giving it a shot.

On the opposite end of the likability scale, I'm a big fan of your traditional Oktoberfest and look forward to their release every year. And, to be honest, I do very much enjoy the Sam Adams "Octoberfest" even though it's not the traditional märzen style, but it's a very delicious beer that's great for the season. Two Roads is one of my new favorite breweries so I got all giggly when I saw their märzen Oktoberfest. Let's drink some beer!

TWO ROADS OK2BERFEST - MÄRZEN STYLE LAGER

Two Roads is out of Stratford, Connecticut so they're not local to me but regional. I tell ya what: I'm not one to like IPA's but their Honeyspot Road IPA is PHENOMENAL. IPA's may not be my jam but Unfiltered Wheat is, so that's gotta be the key to why I love it so much.

The Ok2berfest has a 5.8% ABV and comes in 4 packs of 16oz cans. It pours amber in color with a thin head. It's light and crisp and malty. And that's pretty much it. There's no complexity; it's just a chuggable caramel beverage that you can pound all night and try to do traditional dance under the influence of. Clearly a märzen and enjoyable, but it's poundable and you're not gonna miss it when you've drunk it all. I really like it because those things combined with its affordability.

Would I buy it again? Not this year but I could very well revisit it next year.

BALLAST POINT PUMPKIN DOWN - SCOTTISH ALE WITH PUMPKIN

Ballast Point is out of San Diego, California and has built up quite a following. Their flavored Sculpin IPA's seem to be the most popular of their lineup. The Habanero Sculpin is a fun beer for somebody like myself who loves hot peppers. Their limited Calm Before The Storm, a cream ale with coffee and vanilla, was very enjoyable too.

I know the picture looks pathetic but I actually poured this glass with a beautiful head and then the wife needed me for something that sounded important but it turned out to be just needless decision making in online shopping (I'm pretty sure all the options looked the same) and by the time I came back it was flat. Thanks, Amazon!

The Pumpkin Down has an ABV of 5.8% and comes in 6 packs of 12oz bottles. The color is a burnt caramel. It smells just like incredible, amazing, delicious pumpkin pie and tastes like disappointment came to life, was murdered, chopped up into tiny pieces, and made into beer. Did I mention I don't like pumpkin beer?

Well that's it everybody! Good night!