Apple Pie Bubbles (Harvest Blend)

Apple Pie Bubbles is a crisp & zesty blend of apple and pie spices. A flavorful, seasonal harvest in a can! Apple Pie Bubbles Bubbles is a seasonal release, available on draft and in 6-packs.

Reviews are done by Travis Houston, our Sensory Specialist, Certified Cicerone, and FOBAB Judge.

First off, let’s talk a little about the history of Bubbles and the Bubbles fam. 

Bubbles was born a decade ago when one of our founders, Bryant, was drinking Rosé all day, as was the style at the time. We started with our semi-dry cider, Zappy, which is made by fermenting apple juice, then adding some juice post-fermentation (backsweetening) to increase the sweetness and apple character. To create Bubbles, we backsweetened the cider with cranberry and peach juices. The result was a delicious, Rosé-like cider with perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity, bursting with fresh fruit flavor. Unfortunately, we hadn’t technically created a cider, but had actually created sparkling fruit wine, which carries a tax burden more than twenty times that of beer or cider. To prevent us from having to charge crazy amounts for Bubbles, we devised a workaround. We created a base that is a mix of malt and apple, making Bubbles an ale, to which we can add any juices or spices we want without worrying about the tax bill.

What makes Apple Pie Bubbles stand out in our Bubbles lineup?

By creating a versatile base of malt and apple to which we can add any juice, spice or flavor, we set the stage for variants of Bubbles using seasonal ingredients. The newest seasonal release is Apple Pie Bubbles, a beverage that’s perfect for when both the leaves and temperatures start to fall.

What makes Apple Pie Bubbles a “Harvest Blend”?

We started with the standard Bubbles base, fermented malt and apple juice, and added more fresh apple juice. We then added cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. The result is an apple-forward ale that evokes all the sensations of a freshly baked pie, backed by the perfect levels of sweetness and acidity, allowing for a flavorful and refreshing finish. As I’ve been hearing around the brewery, it’s fall in a glass (or can)! 

What are the notable characteristics of Apple Pie Bubbles?

The spice blend absolutely bursts from the can the moment you pull the tab, with cinnamon and allspice leading, giving way to warm ginger and nutmeg. We use culinary apples for Bubbles, as opposed to the more tart cider apples, which really shines in the Harvest Blend. The fruit character is fresh and complex, the perfect base to layer on the pie spice blend.

There is a lot of delicious apple pie flavor in this brew. How is this achieved?

To create these delicious seasonal Bubbles releases, we start with a general idea on what flavors we’re targeting. The innovation team, of which I’m a member, starts writing recipes and presenting them to taste panels. After various trials where we adjust sweetness, acidity, juice/spice levels, etc., we finally agree on a recipe, and lock it in for future production. The inspiration for these seasonal flavors comes from anywhere we can find it, and we’re always on the lookout for the next hit!

What makes you want to drink Apple Pie Bubbles?

This summer was HOT, and the temperatures have already decreased drastically. Personally, I’m ready to lean into hoodie weather and crack open some Harvest Ale Bubbles around a bonfire after a day of football.

Appearance: Light gold with slight haze.

Aroma: Pie spice and red apple burst from the glass.

Taste: The perfect levels of sweetness and acidity enhance the apple pie flavor.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied, yet flavorful.

Overall: Apple Pie Bubbles lives up to the name, delivering an explosion of apple and spice flavor. The perfect level of sweetness backs the pie spice blend, leading to a fruited ale that’s both flavorful and refreshing.

What foods would pair well with Apple Pie Bubbles?

I think Apple Pie Bubbles would go great with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Ideal glassware for Apple Pie Bubbles? A snifter.