Playboy says New York has lagged behind when it comes to beer. They actually said we were hesitant. But not anymore. Now they say we're almost a full-on beer destination. Thanks? I think.

First Playboy basically sends an honorable mention to Cooperstown’s Brewery Ommegang as one of the first American breweries to master Belgian-styles in the U.S. Did you know Brewery Ommegang is planning on at least 8 new beers next year? They just released a new beer this week called Lovely, Dark and Deep, an oatmeal stout, a winter seasonal. This is what brewery Ommegang has to say about it:

For the next few months, there will be plenty of snow-filled woods by which to stop and ponder in Ommegang’s Upstate New York, Cooperstown home. It only seemed fitting therefore to seek inspiration from Robert Frost’s famous poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” when name-storming monikers for the brewery’s new winter-warmer seasonal. Lovely, Dark and Deep, an oatmeal stout, is set to reach retail in early November.

“Winter is lengthy in Upstate New York and we wanted to brew a beer that we could enjoy throughout the long, cold months,” says Mike McManus, Ommegang’s Innovation Manager. “Lovely, Dark, and Deep not only reflects well the nature of our winters here, but also the beer. At 5.3% ABV the second follows easily after the first, while the chocolate, roast, and coffee characters provide enough to explore. It should be perfect during, or after, a day of winter fun.”

The magazine also talks about the Ithaca Beer Company. Playboy loves their Flower Power IPA. What's not to love with the clover honey hue and tropical nose. Simultaneously Punchy and soothing with a big body and a finish that boasts pineapple and grapefruit. Flower power is hopped and dry-hopped five different times throughout the brewing and fermentation process. Playboy says:

Around the turn of the millennium when Ithaca started brewing their Flower Power, not every brewery had a signature IPA. Ithaca’s offering immediately became one of New York’s most acclaimed craft beers, and it still holds up today: simultaneously piney and pineapple-y, both floral and slightly sweet, and balanced in a way that, a decade later, many IPAs still can’t quite get right. Modern IPAs might be more tropical fruit forward or provide a bit more kick, but compiling a list of great New York beers without Flower Power would be like calling Don Mattingly the greatest Yankees first baseman because you forgot about Lou Gehrig.

I also found a nice surprise with Pumking from Southern Tier Brewing Company. It's said this beer is "bewitched and brewed with pagan spirit." Playboy says this company emerged as practically the joke of the brewing world. They go on to say:

Southern Tier unleashed an imperial pumpkin ale that was truly worthy of its “king” nomenclature. Pumpkin brews can focus on everything from seasonal spices to fresh harvest flavors. Meanwhile, Pumking tastes like shoving an entire pumpkin pie down your mouth, sweet graham cracker crust and all. The dessert-like intensity might be a bit much for some people.

The best part is you can find all these beverages and much more at the Syracuse Beer Festival November 14.

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