By Brian Beauchemin

As a slow change of temperature brings slightly cooler weather, the annual rush of spiced beers and ciders has begun. From pumpkin spices to habaneros, our local brewers provide a wide range of beers to help kick off Charlotte’s Autumn. A classic double IPA makes its return for an anniversary party as well. Unless otherwise stated, all products are available in taprooms and local markets. 

Birdsong Brewing

The yearly release of a fan-favorite, Mexicali Stout, occurs a little earlier this year with a September 26 kickoff. Warm coffee and cinnamon complement a smooth chocolate flavor in the full-bodied stout. With a hint of chile heat from fresh habaneros and the addition of cacao nibs and local coffee from Central Coffee Co., the 5.8% ABV stout captures everything you would expect from a traditional molé.

Wild Wild West is a 7% ABV west coast IPA with the usual suspect of Citra alongside a relatively new hop, Elani. Both hops pack loads of stone fruit character with Elani bringing an extra dose of peach. Golden in color, the beer offers enough bitterness to balance the malt and ensure a very drinkable IPA.

Releasing September 19, Peel Good is a new seasonal sour ale. The beer provides a light tart character from blood oranges in an easy-to-drink base sour ale. The 5% ABV brew constructs a nuanced balance between the wheat and its sour components.

Cabarrus Brewing
The brewery is releasing three beers on September 20 in its taproom, with follow-on distribution a few days later. Pumpkin Spice Coffee Blonde is a 4.7% ABV blonde ale brewed with pumpkin spice, Madagascar vanilla beans, and coffee.

Frank is a German rauchbier (smoked lager) pouring a dark burgundy with a cream-colored head. The 5.1% ABV brew has aromas of beechwood, molasses, and hints of chocolate. The smoke flavor is light but present with nutty undertones. A very smooth finish without lingering smoke flavor invites another sip.

For the scotch lover, Scotch Barrel Aged Doppelbock is a 9% ABV strong lager. Huge aromas of wood and scotch are front and center, with delicate flavors of dark cherries, plums, raisins, and, of course, scotch. The higher alcohol level is well hidden. The lager was conditioned at temperatures below 40 degrees for 12 months in Lagavulin Scotch barrels.

Pilot Brewing
Available on draft only, Ginger Snap Cookie Blonde Ale is a 5.4% ABV gold-colored ale with the flavors and warmth of your favorite ginger snap cookie. Unique to the process for this beer is that no spices were used. All the ginger and spiced flavors come directly from Infusion Malts’ (Boormalt, Belgium) Gingerbread Cookie Malt where the malt itself is infused with spices during their malting process. 

Kolsch Me If You Can is a clean, crisp, pale-colored ale with subtle fruit and hop character. The malt profile shines throughout and leads into a refreshing finish. The 5% ABV brew will be released on September 13. 

On September 28, the brewery hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration with Oktoberfest beer and a special cask tapping at 2 p.m. The Good Wurst Co. will be on-site serving free bratwursts from 3-6 p.m. (or until supplies last). Stein holding and keg squat contests round out the day. 

Sycamore Brewing
Drippy IPA is the brewery’s seasonal IPA released during the “drippiest, hottest period of the summer.” The 7% ABV IPA features hops that evoke citrus, tropical, fruity, and drippy “creamsicle” vibes. The assortment of hops gives the brew a wide range of fruit flavors with a medium body and soft, smooth mouthfeel.

Staying with the theme of fall spices, Apple Pie Cider is a semi-sweet fall seasonal cider. The brewery’s dry cider is sweetened with wildflower honey while whole spices are coarsely ground by hand and steeped in the cider for a few days. Saigon and Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and vanilla round out the spices. The 5.1% ABV cider’s sweetness and floral notes from the large honey addition pair well with the spices. Spicing leans more to the cinnamon and clove, with all the others playing supporting roles.

Pumpkin Latte Blonde is a blonde ale that tastes almost exactly like a pumpkin spice latte in beer form. The 5.8% ABV beer uses the brewery’s own house-roasted and cold brew coffee combined with pumpkin pie spices and bourbon Madagascar vanilla to round out the flavor profile.

Triple C Brewing
Boxer is a beautiful American brown ale with notes of chocolate, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, and a bit of nuttiness. The 5% ABV draft-only brew provides a great combination of full flavor with high drinkability.

Releasing September 13, Schwarzbier is a 4.4% ABV dark lager with mild aromas of chocolate and roast and a clean, crisp flavor typical of a lighter-colored beer. Liter stein pours are available in addition to standard pours and four packs. 

Babymaker Imperial IPA returns for the brewery’s twelfth anniversary. Massive amounts of Amarillo, Azacca, Cascade, and Glacier hops in three different dry hop additions provide intense fruitiness and spicy grapefruit hop aromas and flavors with low perceived bitterness. A sturdy malt backbone makes the 8.5% ABV beer an easy-drinker even with the higher alcohol level. Join the celebration on September 20. 

The first ever pilsner was brewed in the Czech Republic in 1842 and O.G. is the brewery’s rendition of this classic pilsner. The 5.3% ABV lager exudes sweet bready and toasty malt flavors with a mild and soft bitterness. Releases September 27. 

Wooden Robot Brewery
Botoberfest is a 5.6% ABV strong golden festbier brewed with German-grown barley, locally malted by Epiphany Craft Malt. The crisp lager sports bready malt character supported by delicate noble hops for a smooth and rich balanced brew.

A “no coast” IPA, Sky Party is brewed with loads of Comet and Strata hops. Tangy citrus and tropical notes of grapefruit, guava, and lemon are complemented by a balanced piney bitterness that makes each sip of this 6.8% ABV beer refreshingly smooth.