When the leaves turn orange and the autumn winds howl, when the air turns crisp and more than the usual amount of dead squirrels fill the road, 'tis the season for pumpkin beer!

Many will tell you it's disgusting. These are sort of people that hate America and have black hearts. Pumpkin beer combines two of world's most perfect foods: pumpkin pie and beer.

And that's exactly how it tastes. Admittedly, if you drink more than two you'll feel like you've consumed an entire pumpkin patch. Drink more and your vomit will taste like a acidic pie milkshake. But like many great things, pumpkin beer should be enjoyed in moderation. Drink one, two tops, and then switch to whiskey.

Various small breweries around the country produce pumpkin-related beer products. Here in Portland, the most prevalent brand on the shelves is called, oddly enough, Pumpkin Ale and comes from the Buffalo Bill Brewery in Hayward, CA. The website describes their batch as "An amber style ale, originally brewed by George Washington, brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins, malted barley. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are added." What other brew comes with the original GW's stamp of approval?

You may want to stock up for the long winter ahead. Pumpkin Ale flies off shelves during the month of October only to disappear entirely by Dia de los Muertos.