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Neighbors make crossing street safer for crossing guard

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Cooler temperatures, sunshine to stick around through the midweek

<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the most wonderful time of the year &#8230;.,&#8221; no, it&#8217;s not Christmas, it&#8217;s the fall season and that means it&#8217;s time for pumpkin ales. Over the past few years, breweries across the country have put out their versions of this autumn treat. Some, like Southern Tier Pumking and Cigar City Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale, are great beers while others are mere failed attempts at making a good pumpkin beer. So, who has the best pumpkin ale on the market today? Opinions may vary, but in my eyes one of the best is made right here in our own backyard by Stegmaier Brewing Company.</p><p>When people hear the name Stegmaier, they think of their grandfather or father grabbing a cold Steg from the ice bucket at the family cookout. I remember my father sitting around with the local guys at the Independent Fire Company bazaar in Kingston, slugging down a few Stegs. Stegmaier beer was a local staple that actually played a big part of the history of Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>After learning the brewery trade in Wurtenberg, Germany, Charles Stegmaier set sail for America and eventually settled in Philadelphia. In 1851, he met and partnered with John Reichard, owner of the Reichard &amp; Weaver brewery in Wilkes-Barre. This friendship led Charles to set up shop right here with his own bottling business six years later. Charles later partnered with his father-in-law George Baer to build a small brewery on what was then South Canal Street. Charles and George brewed their beer in a wooden kettle, then stored the beer in an abandoned coal mine tunnel while a new brewery was built on East Market Street. This brewery opened in 1863 and lasted until the Panic of 1873.</p><p>Charles then entered the hotel business until he was able to buy the Joel Bowkley Brewery on North River Street. He formed a partnership with his son Christian E. Stegmaier and eventually purchased back the Bear &amp; Stegmaier Brewing Company in 1880. Charles and his son were pumping out 300,000 barrels of beer a year.</p><p>In 1897, Charles incorporated into the Stegmaier Brewing Company where he actively worked until 1902.</p><p>Throughout the years Stegmaier enjoyed good, but declining profits which eventually led to their closing in October 1974. That same year, Charles great grandson, Edward Maier sold to Lion Inc. The old Stegmaier building, now on Wilkes-Barre Boulevard was purchased for back taxes and is now owned by the city. Part of the old brewery is used by Social Security while the old storage facility remains vacant.</p><p>Lion Inc. has set up shop in North End Wilkes-Barre where they brew and bottle beverages for themselves and various other companies. When I exit the Cross Valley Expressway for Center City my mouth waters because I can see the Lion Brewery and that makes me think of their delicious Stegmaier Pumpkin Ale.</p><p>Sight: As you pour your beer you see a nice amber color with an almost orange glow. It has an orange and copper mix; truly fit for a real Pumpkin Ale. The dense bone-white head is hearty enough to last through the first few sips due to the perfect carbonation.</p><p>Aroma: Before you taste, take a healthy whiff. You smell the aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon with back notes of vanilla and clove. Can you say pumpkin pie?</p><p>Taste: With your first sip these aromas mix into a well-balanced flavor of pumpkin pie. This beer reminds me of my mother&#8217;s pie at Thanksgiving dinner. Up front, the pumpkin along with a slight malty flavor cover the palate. As the taste settles in, you get back notes of vanilla, clove and a little nutmeg. All of this combines to make a smooth favorable beer.</p><p>Stegmaier Pumpkin Ale is a winner. It has a well-balanced hearty pumpkin flavor without a strong beer bite. I recommend drinking it with a big slab of pumpkin or apple pie or around the fire at a fall gathering. You can pick up Stegmaier Pumpkin Ale at almost every beer store and at many pubs and bars in the valley.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Jim McCabe The Beer Meister </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_james3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Jim McCabe The Beer Meister </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_pumpkinale.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Jim McCabe</p><p>The Beer Meister</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>The Beer Meister is a new column that will appear twice a month in the Times Leader</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p style="text-align: left;">Jim McCabe is an avid beer enthusiast and the circulation manager for the Times Leader.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

The Beer Meister: Stegmaier Pumpkin Ale is the real jack-o-lantern of pumpkin beers