Pumpkin Ale Cake and Other Recipes that Highlight Pumpkin Beer
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: October 21, 2014

Pumpkin beer is a seasonal beverage that only comes around once a year.  Every craft brewery has their style, some are spicy with notes of allspice, cloves and nutmeg while others are mild and buttery.  If you've never sampled pumpkin beer, my suggestion is to visit a beer and wine store that sells them by the bottle so you can taste a variety.  While pumpkin beer is delicious to drink, it is even better to cook with.  The flavors are complex and add an underlying note of warmth to dishes.  Check out these pumpkin beer recipes from cheese dip to a layered pumpkin ale cake to make this fall.
Pumpkin Beer Ice Cream
Recipe from Perpetually Hungry
	I am a firm believer that ice cream is good any time of the year, even when the temperature has dropped.  Pumpkin beer ice cream celebrates the season with a frozen dessert that's guaranteed to please.  The ice cream base is flavored with pumpkin puree, nutmeg and cinnamon.  You can serve pumpkin beer ice cream with any pie, a la mode style, or on its own with whipped cream and butterscotch sauce.
Pumpkin Beer and Cheese Dip
Recipe from Chez Catey Lou
	If you are a sports fan, this pumpkin beer and cheese dip is a must-have snack on game day.  This recipe veers from the traditional beer cheese dip and is inspired by fall flavors.  Pumpkin beer adds depth and sweetness while the pumpkin spice blend give the cheese dip warmth.  Cheddar is the cheese of choice but you can certainly use your favorite.  Serve with pretzel bites, tortilla chips, or even toasted ravioli.
Beef and Black Bean Chili with Pumpkin Beer
Recipe from Craving Cobbler
Chili and beer have been friends for awhile.  There are innumerable recipes that pair these two together and the results are almost always good.  You can use any pumpkin beer for this recipe so long as it's one that you would like to drink.  No matter if it's wine, beer or a spirit, cook with alcohol that you actually like because the flavor comes through in the food.
Quick Pumpkin Beer Bread
Recipe from Foxes Loves Lemons
	Another common match during autumn is beer and bread.  Maybe it's because both contain yeast or perhaps beer helps to keep the bread light but no matter the reason, the two go well together especially in this quick pumpkin beer bread.  It is slightly sweet with a definite streak of malt.  Smear a slice with unsalted butter for the perfect bite.
Pumpkin Ale Cake
Recipe from Tasteseekers Kitchen
	This pumpkin ale layer cake is a showstopper.  It's no surprise that all things pumpkin reign supreme during fall and this cake is no different.  It's light, sweet, moist and absolutely perfect for any holiday occasion.  In between the cake layers, there is a thick coating of homemade pumpkin ale cream cheese frosting that brings this whole dessert together.  You can garnish with sugared pecans, chopped walnuts, or even chocolate chips.