Minnesota’s Best Beer

The Story Behind Our Award-Winning Punkin Pie

Jesse Pittman

One of the coolest honors I’ve received since joining the Minnesota brewing community was winning the 2025 MNCBG Best in Show for our Punkin Pie. It was pretty awesome when they called our name for Gold in the Spice and Vegetable Beer category, but winning the whole thing with a pumpkin beer?! While this style can be divisive, there are plenty of great pumpkin beers from around the country. I took inspiration from two in particular, Southern Tier’s Pumking Ale whose rounded caramel flavors have real depth, and Cigar City’s Good Gourd in its creative and singular way of incorporating spices. One thing they share in common is they are Imperial versions, meaning alcohol content is over 8%. I also wanted Punkin Pie to have a heavier body and higher alcohol content as well but remain more approachable to give warmth on those chilly autumn nights. Stylized as an Autumn Ale, our Punkin is the shining centerpiece in an outstanding lineup of fall beers at Boom Island.