Smashing pumpkins

Beer mavens at the Cambridge Brewing Company say that this time of year, their brewers become whiners. That's because they have to scrub 4,000 pounds of pumpkins, chop them up, and puree them to make beer. It's a tough job, but the results are much appreciated. Tonight, you can enjoy the fruits of the brewers' labor at the CBC Pumpkin Ale Festival. The night features eight pumpkin brews, and a pumpkin-themed tapas menu that includes pumpkin curry. If you run into any of the brewers at the party, be sure to offer them a hand massage. 5 p.m. Cambridge Brewing Company, 1 Kendall Square, Building 100, Cambridge, 617-494-1994. cambrew.com