Head to the East End in the fall and see pumpkins everywhere you look. Island-wide, the same goes for pumpkin beverages, and not just the kind that come in a coffee cup. Local bars, brewers and restaurants are serving up cinnamon-rimmed pumpkin beer. Make the cooler weather on Long Island a little sweeter by toasting with a pint of pumpkin.
Related Content: 3 Top Pumpkin Brews
Southampton Publick House, Southampton
This casual microbrewery does more with pumpkins than carve jack-o-lanterns. Southampton Publick House’s spiced Pumpkin Ale is a brewski perfect for the crisp autumn season, made with real pumpkin, nutmeg and vanilla. Bonus: it fares wonderfully with turkey, other poultry and of course pumpkin pie. Go.
Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore
Go the traditional route with the classic Splashing Pumpkin Ale. It’s made with malted barley, cascade hops and highlights of cinnamon and cloves. At this South Shore brewery, guests can unwind in the 4,000-square-foot tasting room or engage in foosball and corn hole tournaments. Go.
Jake’s Steakhouse, East Meadow
Jake’s Steakhouse’s Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale is brewed to taste like beer, but has unmistakable notes of pumpkin with strong hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. You won’t have to worry about this treat playing any tricks. Go.
Port Jefferson Brewing Company, Port Jefferson
Don’t get intimidated by the name—Boo Brew lets imbibers have their cake and drink it too. It’s infused with organic pumpkin, molasses, nutmeg and an array of secret spices that you are just going to have to sample for yourself to believe. Go.
George Martin’s Burger Bar, Massapequa Park/Rockville Centre
Let your taste buds erupt with their Shipyard Pumpkinhead, a wheat ale with fruit aromatics, subtle spiced flavor and golden color. Pair it with some good-ole American comfort food from the upscale pub featuring the likes of skyscraper burgers, fries, sloppy joes, tacos, quesadillas and onion rings. Go.
Piecraft Pizza Bar, Island Park
Piecraft Pizza captured fall in a glass. The Saranac Pumpkin Ale, a hearty ale brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice and ginger with a full body and amber glow makes for a smoky, autumnal aroma that gets anyone excited for the cooler days ahead. Go.