======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ==== ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ====
I’m about to let you know the most basic bitch quality I have. I (like a lot of girls) am obsessed with fall. I’ll agree that August is a bit early to get my autumn-craze on, but as soon as Labor Day passes? It’s time.
Right after the first Monday of September comes and goes, I automatically head to my local Michael’s craft store to scour the aisles to snag up anything and everything related to changing leaves, pumpkins, and Halloween. Is it still blistering hot in Los Angeles this time of year? Yes. And possibly that’s why I get the raised eyebrows from my friends when they see me decked out in boots and sweaters already.
But I. Don’t. Care.
“Tis the season!” I tell myself, trying to justify why it makes sense to wear this in 90-degree heat.
“Uh, Katie, that’s a Christmas expression…” Well. Whatever. I will also ignore that along with the fact that I’m already sweating through my fuzzy socks at 9:00 a.m.
Before I know it, my entire apartment is decorated with pumpkin-scented candles, a spooky bowl to hold my car keys, a wreath made of autumn leaves, and a soap dispenser in the shape of a skeleton. Next stop, of course, is the grocery store. It’s the beginning of September, and still of course way too hot outside… but the other night, I was walking through my local market and turned to see the first pumpkin beer of the year shining forth from the cooler section like a full, witchy moon.
They’re here.
Pumpkin beer, like pretty much any other pumpkin-related item, usually falls into that “love it or hate it” category. But that’s not the point. The point is that this sighting was my official sign of fall. At this moment in the store, I spotted a Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Wheat for sale in the beer aisle, and I knew… There’s just something about that pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove greatness that is the final indication that it’s officially fall.
“Um, actually the first day of Autumn isn’t until September 23rd so…”
Y’all, hush. Some people believe it’s when Starbucks releases their Pumpkin Spice Lattes that it’s Autumn. Others go by an actual calendar date, or simply when they see the leaves change colors. But me? It’s when I spot that oh-so-glorious change in the seasonal beer. We move away from the light and fruit-forward brews, and that’s officially my sign to get excited about the transition from summer to fall. Suddenly it’s the deeply amber colored, yet shockingly refreshing, fall beer that makes a perfect pair alongside tailgates or camping trips on the weekend.
Some of you may be asking, “Why is everything flavored with pumpkin in the fall?” Well, because it’s fall. And yes, while there are a TON of pumpkin things out there this time of year, but there’s something kind of awesome about participating in the seasonal culinary zeitgeist. As a kid, we would trade Halloween candy. But as an adult? I don’t have the time or energy to go get cavities filled from all of that Halloween candy. Sure, we still might celebrate Halloween by picking out some stupid punny costume to wear to your friend’s house party, but drinking a pumpkin beer is one of the very last, irony-free ways adults get to effortlessly acknowledge & celebrate the comfort of fall.
So go to your local grocery store, and grab yourself one of those seasonal brews. Hate pumpkin? No problem. Whether it’s pecan, maple, a cider, or a generic harvest ale — fall beer works well in a variety of ways. And there’s no trick in that. That’s all treat, baby. .
Respond
KatieCallaway
Katie is 27 and is from Nashville, TN but lives in Los Angeles, CA as an actress, comedian, writer, and marketing manager. Although some might disagree, she likely peaked when she had dinner with Randy Jackson and he called her “dude” a lot. You can see her active on the Twitterverse at @KECallaway or you can also follow her new Insta at @KatieCallaway even though she hates Instagram.
@kecallaway
@katiecallaway
Pumpkin szn doesn’t start til October. That’s law, thank you.
While I’m not a fan of the pumpkin beer, I will be starting this NFL season off with an Sam Adams Oktoberfest.
Try Paulaner Oktoberfest.
Try any other Oktoberfest while you’re at it
Oktoberfest beers are where it’s at.
Oktoberfest before pumpkin*****
All of the hardos hate on pumpkin-related things until your boy here whips up a batch of pumpkin pancakes for tailgates. If you hated on em, you don’t get any
Pain heals. Chicks dig pumpkin pancakes. Glory… lasts forever.
Octoberfests/Marzens and pumpkin beers were out on the shelves in mid August before I left Total Wine. I am attempting to try every Marzen this fall which is burning a hole in my pocket since my first paycheck for the school year is next week.
*Reads first line*
Well, I guess I’m a basic bitch.
Wait, leaves change colors in LA?
They do when they die from the drought. Does that count?
Just flew back with three packs of New Glarus Staghorn Octoberfest and I’m way too excited to savor that through the fall since I can’t buy it anywhere remotely close to where I live. Fall beers and stouts are the best.
Usually I agree with the post-Labor Day rule, but considering it’s hot as hell here in DC, I’m probably gonna wait another week or 2 before cracking open my first Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.