In the last few years, “pumpkin-spiced-everything” has exploded. Coffee, candies, foods and most deliciously, beer, have all gone big orange.
But with this much attention paid to everything pumpkin, it was only a matter of time before some super evil geniuses found the next big thing. And that next thing is the sweet potato. The common yam has incredible flavor potential, as most of us know from Thanksgiving dinner, and now brewers are using sweet potatoes as a starch in beer, much like rice, wheat or corn. Coupled with Thanksgiving and Christmas spices (cinnamon, vanilla, allspice) in the brewing process, it makes a great seasonal brew in time for the fall and winter.
Be on the lookout today for these tasty limited releases that use the mighty sweet potato.
The Bruery, Autumn Maple
The Bruery of California never disappoints, using simple ingredients to create some of the tastiest and more complex craft beers in the country. The Autumn Maple batch is no different, utilizing 17 pounds of sweet potatoes per Autumn Maple batch. The rich brown color is achieved using cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses and maple syrup. It’s bold with a bit of spice, and will pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving feast. ABV: 10%
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, Jefferson Stout
Lazy Magnolia’s stout is brewed with fresh sweet potatoes and lactose. The dark stout emits hints of chocolate, coffee and caramel, and is the brewery’s answer to a stout the South would be proud of. The original recipe for the brew came from a chef and early supporter of the brewery, and the recipe hasn’t changed much since its first batch. ABV: 4.65%
Bent River Brewing Company, Sweet Potato Ale
Notes of cinnamon and other spices highlight this sweet potato brew by Bent River. The hops are present throughout the beer and a warm orange color makes it perfect for the fall. ABV: 4.81%
Epic Brewing Company, Glutenator
This gluten-free selection from Epic uses plenty of molasses and sweet potatoes. With a golden color and a clean finish, it’s the “beer for everybody.” After experimenting for a full year, the brewery was able to come up with a tasty gluten-free alternative. ABV: 6.9%
Fullsteam Brewery, Carver Sweet Potato
Using a whopping 200 pounds of sweet potatoes per batch, Fullsteam’s Carver Sweet Potato is named after George Washington Carver, the famed scientist and lover of peanuts. With a deep maple color, spiced hops and a sweet, malty ending to the beer, it’s a great brew to try as the temperatures drop. ABV: 4.5%
Indeed Brewing Company, Sweet Yamma Jamma
Indeed Brewing certainly wins the contest of best named sweet potato beer. Its Sweet Yamma Jamma is a Fall seasonal ale full of sweet potato and other spices. ABV: 5%
Piney River Brewing Company, Sweet Potato Ale
The people at Piney River take a slightly different route for their sweet potato brew, roasting the yams before putting them in with the batch. The malty ale has flavors of the roasted potatoes and hints of vanilla. ABV: 6%
Salty Nut Brewery, Sweet Potato Ale
With a spicy aroma and hop bouquet, Salty Nut’s Potato Ale has hit the scene as a tasty sweet potato ale. It’s light amber color is perfect fodder for the fall foliage.