Halloween Comes Early
Aug 30, 2007 beer, farmers' markets, sustainable agriculture
Off to the Maplewood Farmers Market I went last night as I do every Wednesday to see what the bounty of local farming has brought us. Tomatoes are still plentiful of course, as are the zucchinis that threaten to take over about every garden I’ve ever seen them planted in. The winter squashes are also starting to arrive with acorn and butternut appearing more plentiful then last week, as well as the new additions of pumpkins and spaghetti squash. Goatsbeard Farms was back after missing a week, and this time they had the Moniteau Blue which I’ve been eager to try.
The first apples also arrived from Centennial Farms in the form of Jonathan’s and another variety which I can’t remember the name of. The frost earlier in the year unfortunately damaged a lot of the apple crop just like the peaches and Centennial’s site says they only have about 1% of their usual crop.
But, it’s when I stepped inside the Schlafly Bottleworks that I was first met with sadness, and then met with two layers of compounded joy. I’d been wanting to get a taste of the Saison as I’d not had it yet, but it is unfortunately now gone (except from some stores). They had some of their Witbier, however, which was a good example of what that beer can be. But, the true gold was the early gift of Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.
Sitting at the bar, we noticed a clearness to the beer that wasn’t there in 2006. We quickly found out this is because they’ve filtered it further this year producing a beautiful amber colored ale. If you fancy yourself a beer lover, then pull up to a snifter and you’ll find that first whiff bursting through your nose conjuring up a beautiful Autumn day. With hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and maybe even a little ginger, the pumpkin flavor, while not as pronounced as last year, is still lingering in the background of what is, for me, still my favorite example of a pumpkin ale to date. If anything, it’s more balanced this year. Get yours while you still can (I bought a case).
Bill
Tags: Maplewood Farmers Market
September 4th, 2007 at 10:50 am
I’ve got a six-pack of Saison. Name your price.
(Just kidding. I almost missed it this year, too.)
Great blog, Bill.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Thanks Ian. I did finally find some at Lukas. My Schlafly treasure is my aged Imperial Stout I’m still sitting on from last December. It’s taken all my self control to let it age as it was so damn good fresh.