EDITOR'S NOTE: Drink of the Week is a regular feature in The Oklahoma Daily and OUDaily.com. The Daily, however, does not encourage underage or irresponsible drinking.

I love to travel. New surroundings, new places, different people. It’s all great. One of the things I love most about traveling is trying food and drinks that are unique to a particular locale. I’m writing this week’s column from Philadelphia and autumn is in full swing here. The days are mild, the nights are chilly and the leaves they are a changin’. Best of all, liquor stores are finally featuring the delicious fall brews beer enthusiasts wait all year for, specifically pumpkin ales. Last night, I had the pleasure of trying Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, which the box describes as “a full –bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg.” Of course, the lovely state of Oklahoma doesn’t sell any of the Dogfish Head, (a Delaware microbrewery) selections, so I called around and identified some alternatives that can be found right in Norman.

I’m always hesitant to try a beer that appears to have any flavoring in it that doesn’t come from barley or hops. However, pumpkin ales are not characterized by a sweet flavor, but rather a mild, malty taste that is dominated by the spices. Here are some brands of pumpkin ale that are available in Oklahoma: Southampton Pumpkin Ale, Shipyard Pumpkin Ale and Harvest Moon, which is produced by the same brewery as Blue Moon. If you prefer the crisper taste of lager style beers as opposed to malty ales, try Lakefront Pumpkin Lager. Happy Fall!