Fall flavors from regional craft breweries
By Emily Kovach
Homegrown American Lager
New American Lager • Victory Brewing Co.
Released in July, this new addition to Victory’s year-round offerings is a crisp, easygoing, medium-bodied lager that thinks like an IPA. This 4.8% ABV sipper is hopped generously with six varieties of hops (if you must know: Centennial, Mosaic, Azacca, Cascade, Chinook, Citra), and smoothed over with pilsner and Carapils malts.
South Pacific Hop Cartel
Double IPA • Levante Brewing Co.
On Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., this up and coming brewery in West Chester will hold a can release of their super popular double IPA. This cloudy brew is big on zesty, fruity flavors, including grape, lime zest, passionfruit and gooseberry. A special blend of Australian and New Zealand hop varieties gives a wallop of the green dankness that so many beer nerds crave.
DelcoFest
Oktoberfest • 2SP Brewing Co.
Always ready to rep Delco pride, 2SP is releasing a caramelly and toasty Oktoberfest beer on Sept. 1, just in time for Oktoberfest celebrations. At 6% ABV, this bready, balanced brew will be available in draft and 16 ounce cans, and will provide a nice change of pace from the citrusy high notes of summer beers.
Rustic AF
Saison • 2nd District Brewing Co.
The beers at South Philly-based 2nd District rotate a lot, as one might expect from a creatively minded brewery. This fall, keep an eye on their draft list for Rustic AF, a saison brewed with wheat and gently hopped with Saaz and Celeia. This is the brewery’s first beer to be fermented with its house-mixed culture, a multitude of microbes that earn the dry, tart and pungent saison its name.
The Floor is Lava
New England Style Nectarine IPA • Evil Genius Beer Co.
On Sept. 9, Evil Genius celebrates its sixth birthday at its new Front Street taproom in Fishtown. On deck for the event will be this anniversary beer, a hazy, juicy 6.7% ABV IPA brewed with American barley and British malted oats. They’ll add Centennial, Motueka, Simcoe and Mandarina Bavaria hops, and the liquid will be conditioned on local nectarines, processed in-house.
Mop Water
Spiced/herbed Ale • Cape May Brewing Co.
Despite its shudder-inducing name, this ale boasts a cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and whole-bean vanilla—harnessing the vibes of fresh-baked cookies with a 7.7% ABV to boot. Mop Water maintains that special autumnal feel without veering too far into contentious pumpkin-beer territory.
