IHOP Releases “IHOPS” Pumpkin Pancake Stout Beer

Anyone who’s in the mood for some of IHOP’s tasty waffles or pancakes can now wash their meal down with a specially brewed Pumpkin Pancake Beer.

IHOP is apparently as innovative as ever, and in the spirit of innovation and the fall season, company officials recently launched the IHOPS Pumpkin Pancake Beer. The beverage, as one would expect, contains notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, spice, and sweetness. The beer is intended to be paired with autumn-specific IHOP pancakes.

For those who’re interested in IHOP’s beer but not in the idea of sipping it between bites of pancake, nearly 20 bars currently offer it for sale—as do a few IHOP restaurant locations. Unfortunately for west coast customers, who’re undoubtedly used to having new products debut in their area, IHOPS Pumpkin Pancake is, at the moment, being sold exclusively in New York; plans to distribute the beer elsewhere haven’t yet been detailed, and according to a report by IHOP executives, the lager’s future (past this fall) depends on its sales and customers’ responses to its taste.

Despite its unique nature, IHOPS Pumpkin Pancake has all the makings of a quality beer. The once-off beverage—plans haven’t been made to begin an IHOP beer line or to create additional beer flavors—was brewed by Keegan Ales, a respected and cutting-edge New York brewery. Pumpkin Pancake’s aforementioned flavors derive from an effort to infuse specific IHOP dishes into each sip; IHOP pancake batter, pumpkin maple syrup, and more were incorporated into the brewing process.

If a group of IHOP-paid brewmasters standing over vats of experimental beer while trying to strike the perfect balance between pumpkin, syrup, and pancake doesn’t show just how dedicated IHOP is to pushing the envelope, nothing will.

Like many delicious beers, though, it appears that the IHOPS Pumpkin Pancake really is seasonal, and interested customers will only have a short time longer to indulge before it’s packed away for the winter. To be sure, there’s no telling when the lager will go out of stock, as its run is limited and, as IHOP execs made clear, there aren’t any plans in place to distribute the beverage in stores.

Those lucky enough to have IHOP’s stout available in local bars and restaurants should do themselves a favor by grabbing a glass, kicking back, and embracing autumn.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to IHOP and, well, beer!