6 Colorado Fall Beers

#Autumn has well and truly arrived West of 105, and what better way to celebrate than by enjoying a few pints of some seriously flavorful fall beers from some of the country’s best breweries. Here are a five fall beers we’ve recently tried and loved.

Eddyline Brewery, Buena Vista

We are big fans of Eddyline at West of 105. Crank Yanker is an after work staple - from the delicious brew inside the can to the awesome artwork on the outside - and we also love their Raspberry Wheat. But we love this time of year because brewers get creative and start incorporating classic fall flavors into their beers. Eddyline’s recently-released Pumpkin Patch Ale is their contribution to the season.

At 5.78% ABV and 20 IBU, this is an easy drinker and one to sip as you sit in front the first fire in the fireplace. Brewed with real pumpkin, spices, and honey, Eddyline have done it again!

Ska Brewing, #Durango

Another favorite brewery of ours, Sks’s Mexican Logger was like an old friend in town for the summer, accompanying us to lakes and waiting for us after a day #mountainbiking. Other creative concoctions from Dave Thibodeau and company that we’ve enjoyed this year include Pink Vapor Stew (an homage to Dave’s breakfast juice) and Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager. And of course, Modus Hoperandi is one of our go to IPAs.

This autumn, SKA’s award-winning (a Gold at the Great American Beer Festival, no less) Oktoberfest is a malty, German-style lager with an amber-brown color imparted by toasted Munich and Vienna malts. Clean with a neutral yeast flavor, it has a somewhat deceptive 6.1% ABV. and 22 IBUs

Odell Brewing, #FortCollins

Cloud Catcher, one of Odell’s fall seasonals, is back for another season. The 6.8% Milkshake IPA is hazy and smooth with a hop-forward profile with notes of creamsicle and peach. Containing lactose, the beer is velvety and has a citrus-like burst alongside and is currently available on shelves across the state until December.

Odd 13 Brewing, #Lafayette

Odd 13 have a bit of reputation for their can art, and their beer isn’t bad either! The Admiral Abyss, the company’s first ever stout in cans for distribution, is a rich, thick, chocolate milk stout brewed with two kinds of crystal malt, two varieties of chocolate malt, lactose, and Ecuadorian cacao nibs. The Admiral (as it will surely become known) is surely going to be a big hit with both fans and newcomers to Odd 13’s range.

Left Hand Brewing, #Longmont  

We have always loved Left Hand, particularly the nitro stouts, and the company’s contribution to the season sounds right up our alley. Part of the company’s Milk Stout Nitro family, the Chai Milk Stout Nitro is made with Left Hand’s house chai blend, two kinds of hops and no less than seven kinds of malt. Easy drinking and smooth, it is 5.0% with 22 IBUs and is available in four-pack cans and nitro kegs.

Elevation Beer Company, #PonchaSprings

Elevation’s False Summit has returned for the season. The barrel-aged, Belgian-style Quad is aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels has been a seasonal mainstay since 2013.

With dark fruit, vanilla, and bourbon flavors with a milk chocolate head, False Summit is to be sipped and savored, particularly as it comes in at 11.1% ABV with 30 IBUs. As the #beer warms up a little, the Ramos change slightly, and caramel, oak and dark Belgian candi sugar become more prevalent.

False Summit is available in 750ml bottles throughout Colorado until supplies run out. It is also available in the tasting room in Poncha Springs.

And this is the merest sampler - a flight of fall beers if you will - that are available across the greatest state for #craftbeer in the county. There are hundreds if not thousands of seasonal beers of all styles being thought up, concocted and brewed as you read this, many of which aren’t distributed beyond the tap room, so get your over to your local #brewery and see what they have on offer this autumn.