It’s almost that time. The hazy humidity of summer is starting to wane and the nights are noticeably cooler. Fruity sours and crisp pilsners begin to be replaced by full-bodied porters, creamy stouts, and, of course, pumpkin beers.

Here at Woodbines, fall is one of our favorite times of year. We love experimenting with new styles and flavors; our draft lineup is constantly changing to reflect the season and bring you the best that craft beer has to offer. From Schlafly’s Pumpkin Ale to Smuttynose Porter, we have plenty of options to quench your thirst.

To see our current list, check out our page on BeerMenus.com and be sure to follow us to get the latest info as well as alerts when new beers arrive. At 47-10 Vernon Boulevard, we’re located just steps from the 7 train at Vernon-Jackson. Be sure to stop in when you make a trip to Long Island City for the day. For now, read on for some insight into what’s trending for Fall 2016:

Creamy Nitros

Nitro brews, beers that use nitrogen instead of the usual carbon dioxide, are nothing new but are definitely experiencing a resurgence. The use of nitrogen results in smaller bubbles and thus a creamier, smoother beer. At Woodbines, we always have the definitive nitrogen beer on tap: Guinness. Flavorful, but surprisingly light and refreshing, this Irish classic is a must for fall and goes perfectly with our traditional Fish and Chips!

Beers Aged in Barrels

While this is hardly a new trend, beers aged in whiskey or wine barrels are here to stay. As brewers master this technique, we can expect to see a larger variation within this style. From beers aged in whiskey casks to ales matured in rum barrels; crafting brews in this way adds a depth and complexity of flavor that could never be achieved otherwise. At Woodbines we’ve got the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale from Alltech in Lexington, Kentucky. Aged for six weeks in decanted bourbon barrels from nearby distilleries, this ale has delicious vanilla and oak flavors and is remarkably smooth and drinkable.

End-of-Summer Saisons

Traditionally brewed on farms in the French-speaking areas of South Belgium, these eclectic beers were meant to keep workers refreshed during the hot summer harvesting season. While we may not indulge in them during manual labor anymore, but we can certainly add them into our training circuit at the bar. At Woodbines, we just added Firestone Walker’s delicious Opal brew to our bottle list. This dry-hopped, unfiltered saison is bright and fruity with a bit of spice, making it the perfect beer to transition from summer into fall. Try with our Wild Boar Bolognese to balance out the hearty flavor of the dish.

Pumpkin Beers (obviously)

2016 will be no different when it comes to the popularity of pumpkin beers. Luckily, brewers are getting a bit more experienced with this style resulting in some genuinely delicious brews with less of the saccharine sweetness we’ve seen in the past. This year at Woodbines we’ll be trying out Schlafly’s Pumpkin Ale, a pleasantly sweet, but rich and satisfying brIf you’re stopping by for dinner as well as drinks, look out for our suggestions on which beer to pair with each entrée. You can also check out our Facebook page for all dinner specials and beer updates. See you soon!