Drunkin Pumpkin to Devil's Juice: Don't miss these fall beers at Central NJ breweries

Maybe it's that the flavors of Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, are in the air - no matter how far New Jersey is from Munich.

Maybe it's because nothing takes the autumn chill away quite like the chug of a filled mug.

Or maybe, we just really love pumpkin.

Whatever the reason, Central Jersey breweries unleash the peak of their creativity in the fall, when autumn beers hit the taprooms, growlers and shelves.

But you better hurry — these brews are only available for a limited time.

Babushka's Pumpkin French Toast Beer at South 40 Brewing Co., Edison

South 40 Brewing Co. owner and brewer Kevin Pacansky doesn't have a "babushka," otherwise known as a Polish grandmother. But he does have a way in the kitchen and the brewery. His Babushka Pastry Series includes a black forest cake beer, a blueberry cobbler beer, and fall favorite Babushka's Pumpkin French Toast Beer.

Available through mid-November, the 5.1% ABV pumpkin beer is highlighted with French toast, vanilla and maple syrup flavors. It tastes like a real French toast breakfast, said Pacansky.

For a sip: 110 Newfield Ave. Suite 2, Edison; 732-243-9340, south40brewingco.com.

Deep Core at Jersey Cyclone Brewing Company, Somerset

Jersey Cyclone Brewing Company's taproom may be in an industrial park, but it isn't afraid to get dirty at the farm. To create their 10% ABV apple graf ale dubbed Deep Core, they poured pressed apple cider from Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick into freshly-emptied apple brandy barrels before brewing. It will be available as supplies last, likely until late October or early November.

Jan Chwiedosiuk, president of the brewery, said that Deep Core's taste starts with a balance of oak and apples before turning into sweet, spiced apple flavors that fade into an oaky, apple pie finish.

"As an NJ brewery, we are not allowed to brew cider, even though it uses much of the same equipment," Chwiedosiuk said. "This beer is as close to a cider as we could brew and then we aged it in apple brandy barrels to make it even more complex and special."

For a sip: 14 Worlds Fair Dr. Unit J, Somerset; 908) 982-4116

Drunkin Pumpkin at Flounder Brewing Co., Hillsborough

Pumpkin permeates everything in October. But Flounder Brewing Co. wanted to create a pumpkin beer with "subtle notes of roasted pumpkin instead of just overpowering pumpkin pie flavor," said co-founder Jeremy “Flounder” Lees.

So they roasted Long Island cheese pumpkins from Norz Hill Farm in Hillsborough with brown sugar, combined them with the brew and added a touch of pumpkin pie spice. What resulted was the 6% ABV pumpkin beer, which is available on draft or in four-packs to-go at Flounder Brewing Co. while supplies last, which is usually early November.

It's also available at Norz Hill Farm on weekend Fall Harvest Days.

For a sip: 2 Clerico Lane Building 4, Hillsborough; flounderbrewing.com.

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Devil's Juice at Lone Eagle Brewing, Flemington

At Lone Eagle Brewing, Devil's Juice —a hazy, juicy IPA with a 7% ABV — has killed off pumpkin popularity as a fan favorite. It combines citrus, stone fruit and tropical fruit flavors with a piney finish, and is dry-hopped with Sultana Hops and a yeast strain that enhances the beer's juiciness, said brewery co-founder Bob King.

Devil's Juice will be available through November, both on draft and in cans.

For a sip: 44 Stangl Road, Flemington; 908-237-2255, loneeaglebrewing.com.

The Hunt at Ashton Brewing Company, Middlesex

Regardless of who wins or loses, there are always cold beverages to be had at the Far Hills Race Meeting, otherwise known as the Hunt, which is coming to Far Hills on Oct. 21. And one of those cold beverages is a 6.5% ABV beer with the Hunt's namesake, which will be available through early November.

The Hunt fall beer, made by Ashton Brewing Company, is brewed with fresh wet Cascade and dry-hopped with fresh wet Chinook and Centennial hops grown at the Hopyard at Oak Hollow Farm in Bedminster. It's a rye IPA made in the cold IPA style, making it crisp and easy-drinking, like a lager, said brewery owner Steve Ashton.

"The fresh wet hops practically jump out of the glass and take you straight out to the hop fields," he said. "This beer is well-balanced and great for a day at a steeplechase."

For a sip: 600 Lincoln Blvd., Middlesex; 732-694-1221, ashtonbrewing.com.

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October With a K at Sunken Silo Brew Works, Lebanon

The brewery that pays homage to a ghost town sitting at the bottom of the Round Valley Reservoir couldn't be further from the site of the largest beer festival in the world in Munich, Germany. However, that doesn't stop locals from clamoring for Sunken Silo Brew Works' October With a K, a German-style Märzen.

A malty yet smooth beer, October With a K hits the Sunken Silo Brew Works taproom each fall to celebrate Oktoberfest. Already, its supplies are running low, and the beer will likely only last through the end of October.

For a sip: 1320 Route 22, Lebanon; 908-287-7082, sunkensilo.com.

OktBROberfest Lager at Two Ton Brewing Co., Kenilworth

All bros love a good Oktoberfest brew. But that's especially true at Two Ton Brewing Co., where brothers Matthew and Jim Barbiere are now pouring the OktBROberfest Lager, a traditional German-style Marzen lager with a 5.5% ABV.

"It's a no-frills beer-flavored-beer that is perfect for the fall," said Matthew Barbiere. "It's refreshing, smooth and is gently hopped for a well-rounded experience, and it features a big malt backbone with crisp bread-like notes that imparts nutty and delicious flavors."

The OktBROberfest Lager will be available via to-go growlers and in the taproom, which includes an outdoor biergarten and basement "speakeasy" themed as a library.

For a sip: 730 Federal Ave., Kenilworth; 908-241-1614, twotonbrewing.com.

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P Spice and Everything Nice at Lions Roar Brewing Co., Westfield

It's Lions Roar Brewing Co.'s third fall in Westfield, and this time, they're ready to stretch to the pumpkin patch.

For the first time, they've brewed a pumpkin beer — 5.4% ABV P Spice and Everything Nice — which is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and includes a touch of vanilla for sweetness. Available while supplies last, which is likely through the end of October.

"Our brewer Eric created the recipe and we couldn’t be happier with the way it came out," said general manager Maddie Bowen. "It’s not too sweet, so it’s the perfect beer to go back for seconds."

For a sip: 517-519 South Ave W, Westfield; 908-591-6344, lionsroarbrewing.com.

Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com

Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Central NJ breweries: Here's who's brewing fall beers