When the cool autumn weather begins, craft beer enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards the divisive yet beloved category of pumpkin beers. Among these, Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Nitro Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout has emerged as the standout selection for 2026, captivating beer lovers with its innovative use of nitrogen technology. This method, also known for giving Guinness its signature creaminess, enhances Nitro Warlock’s luxurious profile, making it a high-ABV option ideal for chilling autumn evenings.

Why Nitro Warlock is the Top Pumpkin Beer of 2026

The nitrogen infusion bestows a silky mouthfeel along with a creamy foam head, elevating the beer’s dessert-like quality. As a result, Nitro Warlock transforms into an indulgent concoction that conjures flavors of a chocolaty pumpkin pie milkshake with a hint of coffee. This brew, part of Southern Tier’s Blackwater Series, triumphs over their flagship imperial pumpkin ale, Pumking, as the top pick in the 2026 Best Beers Awards.

While Pumking focuses on bright pumpkin pie spices, graham cracker crust, and sweet vanilla, Nitro Warlock shifts the emphasis to roasted dark grains, cocoa, and mild coffee bitterness. Its rich profile makes it a perfect pair for those autumn evenings spent handing out Halloween treats.

• Style: Pumpkin Ale
• Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, NY
• ABV: 8.6%

Methodology for Selection

The selection process for the best beers involved personal tasting alongside expert recommendations, industry accolades, and online reviews. Inputs from favorite platforms such as Untappd further informed the rankings. As a seasoned expert in the craft beer field, with over two decades of writing experience and six published books on the subject, the evaluation criteria encompassed appearance, flavor, head retention, and overall finish, assessed through multiple sips in proper glassware.

With this rigorous methodology, Nitro Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout not only claims its title for the season but also solidifies its position in the broader landscape of craft beer excellence.