We’re here! We’re beer! Get used to it! Check out local retailers and restaurants such as the Winetree, Old Chicago, Westside Liquors, the Gerst House, the Fox & Hound, and other fine dispensers of goodness for brews along the lines of these.

This month we welcome Aaron Tanner, in-house designer and well-know local Renaissance man. His taste buds prove invaluable! Prosit!

OH YEAH! By popular demand, look for the new rating scale. Apparently there was some confusion about what “one,” “two,” “three” and “four” meant. So with the help of a spiffy graphic (thank you, USA Today for spiffy graphic inspiration), here ‘tis:

4 – Excellent
3 – Good
2 – Meh
1 – Craptastic

LEINKENKUGEL'S OKTOBERFEST LAGER

Rachel: 3
Mmmm, gotta love another tasty Leinenkugel. Seems to be brewed with similar spices as it's fellow beers this month, but possibly without the pumpkin. Makes you want to be in Germany dressed in Lederhosen chanting 'Prost!!' while throwing a few of these back.

Sharon: 3
I must say I kinda disappointed in this one, I expected less bite and more flavor. It has a small carbonated bite at first. Not much flavor, no after taste. Light in color. But it’s a heck of a lot better than the last two. Penny won’t even drink it.

Todd: 1
A pretty fair, if unremarkable light lager with a slight hint of spice. To be fair, this is ultimately forgettable, especially in the shadow of the more distinctive seasonal ales featured this month. Easily and unquestionably the last-place finisher.

Aaron: 1
I'm actually disappointed. Leinenkugel usually doesn't let me down. It's good... but not great. The finish is a little bland.


SCHLAFLY PUMPKIN ALE

Rachel: 4
Wonderfull blend! Absolutely perfect combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  It all comes together in one harmonious and flavorful sip. The must try of the month. Another great beer from Schlafly, they are doing something right! And a great Henry David Thoreau quote on the label, how can you go wrong?

Sharon: 2
Smells yummy like the Shipyard, but a darker amber color. Wow, not what I was expecting at all. It has a soapy taste to it. Like someone accidentally dropped a bar of Ivory soap in the vat. Not good. I must say that the last couple of 6 packs I’ve bought from Schlafly haven’t been as good as in the past couple years. Hopefully they will get back to making good tasting beers soon! Penny won’t drink this one either.

Todd: 3
Yikes! This is an extravagantly rich and almost syrupy ale. It's quite strong and sweet, and seriously the most unique and stylish brew in this column. My problem lies in the heavily-spiced taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger), which is so strong that it's hard to stomach. Second place, but only by a nosehair!

Aaron: 4
Fairly smooth with a medium body. Exactly what a pumpkin ale should be.


SHIPYARD BREWING CO. PUMPKINHEAD ALE

Rachel: 1
Don't know if I dig this one, a little too sweet for me. Definitely has a strong pumpkin taste. Not bad though, If you love beer and love pumpkin pie, this might be for you. 

Sharon: 4
Aside from the fact that the bottle has a kickass picture of a Sleepy Hollow headless horsemen guy riding a black horse on the label, I like it. It’s pretty good for a flavored beer. Light amber color. Smells like pumpkin pie. Tastes like this pumpkin roll my mom always makes around Thanksgiving. Yummy nutmeg, pumpkiny flavor. My Dachshund, Penny rates it 2 tail wags.

Todd: 4
A little better-balanced than the pumpkin peers this time, Shipyard's ale is nowhere near as overpowering as Schlafly's, and much more palatable (read: easy to drink). Hail Shipyard!

Aaron: 3
Holy shit! If getting punched in the mouth had a flavor, it would taste like this. Who knew you could get drunk off of pumpkin pie?


HARVEST MOON PUMPKIN ALE

Rachel: 2
You know, I absolutely love Blue Moon, but I don't now about this one. Good spicy flavor, but a little too much spice for me. Not as crisp and refreshing as it's beer mates this month. 

Sharon: 1
First I have to say that I am not a Blue Moon fan so maybe my judgment was a little clouded on this one. But man is this one awful! It stinks like rotten fruit. It’s darker in color than the Shipyard. Bubbles up like it’s carbonated when pored. Nasty soapy aftertaste. Maybe all the bubbles are from dawn dish liquid that my husband snuck in my glass so I wouldn’t drink it. I know some of our younger readers won’t get this reference, but I keep picturing Alfalfa from The Little Rascals trying to sing Darla a song and nothing but bubbles coming out of his mouth. It’s that crappy! Penny tucked her tail and ran away at the smell of this one. (factoid: Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer was shot and killed over $50 when he was only 31 years old – ed).

Todd: 2
A mild, less pumpkin-tasting ale than Shipyard or Schlafly, with a little spicy zing to it. It's well-balanced, but without any complexity, and lacks the individuality and nip of the competitors. Thus, we have the third runner-up.

Aaron: 2
I've always been a fan of Blue Moon and this one doesn't disappoint. The pumpkin and spice is subtle in this one.