As the great Ben Franklin once said, ‘Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.’ So in the spirit of Ben, America, democracy and beer, staff writers John Wood and Sean Cronin have taken to the Southern Tier’s own Ale House, located at 3744 Vestal Parkway, to taste the candidates for best fall beer and cast their votes.
Harpoon Oktoberfest
Sean: 9 out of 10
This beer is darker and thicker than most amber brews. Harpoon Oktoberfest is better than your mainstream seasonal drafts, but at $8.50 a pint, it better be.
John: 7.5 out of 10
Ladies be warned. This beer is heavy, and not the beer you should drink if you’re watching your waistline. Gentleman, make this your first pint, while your palette is fresh. Imagine Killian’s with a hint of Stella.
Shipyard Pumpkin
Sean: 2 out of 10
Imagine all the worst parts of a pumpkin pie in a pint glass. Shipyard is a bold blend of pumpkin, cinnamon and other fall spices that may deliver on a certain palette, but it is a noble failure.
John: 6 out of 10
Don’t make this your first or last pint. Try to trick a friend or two into splitting it. Its pumpkin and cinnamon aromas may be alluring, but don’t be fooled. After a few sips, it lingers with a bitter aftertaste. The upside is that it’s festive, light and certainly the most original lager at the house.
Harpoon 100 barrel series ‘ Pott’s Landbier (German Style)
Sean: 4 out of 10
German style just begins to cover the bitter flavor of Pott’s Landbier. If you’re a fan of Beck’s or Heineken and want to upgrade to a darker, thicker draft, pick this poison.
John: 4.5 out of 10
Pott’s Landbier’s name is a good indicator of what your tongue is in for. It tastes like the bottle of the barrel, because it is. Take the bitter aftertaste of Stella and crank it to 11. Its hops are anything but the spicy blend its label promises. This one ends up being one of the heaviest beers the Ale House has to offer.
Winner: Sam Adam’s Oktoberfest
Sean: 9 out of 10
This beer brought together the taste of Harpoon Oktoberfest with all the right spices of Shipyard Pumpkin.
John: 8 out of 10
Sweet, with a rich malt flavor. Dundee makes for a smooth transition from the sweeter light beers of summer to a heartier winter brew. It’s also a crowd pleaser ‘ from the die-hard ale house connoisseur to those who prefer lighter amber ale, Dundee strikes a balance.