Locally brewed pumpkin ale returns just in time for the season

Good news pumpkin ale fans, a southern Colorado favorite is back just in time for the Fall season.

Bristol Brewing Company held a release party for the popular Venetucci Pumpkin Ale on Thursday so people could stock up on one of their seasonal favorites.

Even though the pumpkins used are not from Venetucci Farm this year, for Colorado native Mike Gillette it seeing the name the beer is associated with brings him back to his childhood.

“I remember going to the Vennetucci Farm when I was a kid so it also brings back that memory too,” said Gillette.

The first person in line to get their hands on the ale was Kathy Natejka. It is her tenth year buying the locally brewed beer.

“I’m getting half a dozen,” Natejka said.

She is one of the hundreds that are very excited to buy the 22-ounce bottle. If you were planning on buying a bottle or case of it, you have to do it fast.

Mike Bristol the owner and founder of Bristol Brewing Company is expecting all their stock to be sold by the end of the week. Bristol adds that all the money raised from the beer will be donated to Venetucci Farm.

“This year we will probably raise 40 to 45,000 dollars for the farm through this year’s batch of pumpkin ale,” said Bristol.

Many wondered this year if the iconic brew would even return. With the future of Venetucci Farm still uncertain, the money will be held until officials know what comes next.

Water contamination surrounding the land led to the closing of the Southern Colorado staple in 2016. However, with the help of Pikes Peak Community Foundation, which has kept some farm operations running, Venetucci Farms may still have a future.

Venetucci Pumpkin Ale will be sold in liquor stores on October 19th.