On last week’s pumpkin patch excursion, my buddy’s two year-old daughter, Adelaide, chose an adorable little, round gourd that fit in the palms of her hands. Holding it up for me to see, she proudly declared, “Punkin!” 

And, as cute as little Adelaide is, today’s Punkin Pi Imperial Ale is just about as precious. The name is a throwback to childhood memories, and it’s only brewed once a year. 

The pastry chefs at Lil Beaver packed it with pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and lactose, so that each sip oozes with the flavors of fall. In fact, it tastes so much like pumpkin pie, I’m tempted to break out the cool whip and drink it with a spoon! 

But, be careful scarfing down this Punkin, or that 8.9% ABV might have you falling asleep on the hayride! Which could be a little embarrassing.

Based on what fans are saying about this Pi, it deserves to be savored slowly:

• “Best pumpkin beer I've ever tasted.” @Chris H.
• “Wow! Liquid Pumpkin Pie!! Crazy Good!” @Cory H.
• “One of the best pumpkin Pi beers!!!” @Shashin V.

Lil Beaver’s brews rarely leave their hometown of Bloomington, Illinois. So, if you want to bask in all of the flavors of fall, I’d suggest grabbing a few cans fast — once this pie is gone, there’s no telling if the brewers will bake a second helping.

PorchDrinking.com called Li Beaver “one of the best newcomers” at The Festival of Barrel Aged Beers.