Beer Pick: Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

Profile: The newest addition to the Sierra Nevada portfolio of seasonal beers, Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale conjures falling leaves and cooler weather. But even as temperatures hover in the 90s, this malty brew offers a welcome contrast to the flood of IPAs and hopped-up hybrid beers around now.

Made with freshly roasted chocolate and smoked malts, Tumbler has a profusion of dark cocoa and coffee notes, balanced by mildly spicy and fruity aromas and flavors and some hop bitterness.

Pair with: Tumbler's roasted malt flavors and smoky notes make it a natural for grilled, roasted or braised meats, especially steak or short ribs. But try it with spicy pork barbecue, smoked chicken wings or robust cheeses, such as aged cheddar, Stilton or Gorgonzola.

Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer paper distributed throughout the South: www.brewingnews.com/southernbrew