Growing up, one of my favorite times of the year was the arrival of fall. There was just something about the changing weather, trees flipping their scripts, and the nights getting shorter that fueled my imagination. It seems to have that same effect on brewers, too, because fall always seems to be loaded with a wave of richer, maltier, more flavor-filled brews.
Walking the aisles of your favorite beer store or looking over the seasonal offerings at your local watering hole, at this time of the year, you are treated to endless treats. From old-time seasonal favorites to new gems from brewers, there is a cornucopia of beers to sip. Spanning the globe from European classics to American innovators, here is a lineup of beers that highlight the joys of fall beer season.
Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen
Few beers capture the spirit of fall like Paulaner’s Oktoberfest Märzen. Brewed in Munich for nearly two centuries, it embodies the classic festival balance of toasted malt sweetness, subtle floral hops, and a crisp finish. Its amber hue mirrors autumn leaves, and its easy-drinking 6% ABV makes it ideal for long afternoons celebrating the harvest season. When people imagine Oktoberfest, this is the beer they picture in their stein.
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
Sam Adams’ seasonal classic helped introduce the Märzen style to American drinkers, and it remains one of the most satisfying fall beers on the market. Malt-forward without being heavy, it layers caramel, toffee, and roasted notes that echo sweater weather and campfires. Widely available and consistently well-made, it’s the perfect bridge between mass-market lagers and more complex craft options, making it the quintessential American autumn pour.
Genesee Oktoberfest
Proof that great fall beers don’t have to cost a premium, Genesee’s Oktoberfest has quietly earned cult status among brewers and beer fans alike. It delivers rich malt character and a smooth, honeyed body that’s surprisingly elegant for its price point. This is the kind of beer that feels tailor-made for tailgates, backyard barbecues, and crisp nights on the porch — approachable, comforting, and deeply satisfying when the air turns cool.
Dale’s American IPA
This fall marks a new chapter in one of craft beer’s most iconic names. Oskar Blues, the Colorado brewery that helped launch the craft beer revolution in cans, has just debuted Dale’s American IPA, a fresh West Coast spin on its flagship. Clocking in at 6.9% ABV, it trades haze for clarity, with big bold pine, citrus, and herbal hop character balanced by a sturdy malt backbone. It arrives just as the brewery’s original Dale’s Pale Ale earned yet another Gold Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, reminding everyone that few do hop-forward beers better.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
One of the first pumpkin ales to make waves nationally, Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale remains the benchmark for the category. Brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, and a blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, it delivers cozy dessert-like aromas without tipping into cloying territory. Its full body and 7% ABV warmth make it the ultimate fireside companion, bridging the gap between beer and pumpkin pie in the best possible way.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin
If pumpkin spice has gone mainstream, Atomic Pumpkin is its rebellious cousin, delivering bright, bold, and unapologetically in-your-face flavors. There is nothing subtle about this beer, and that’s what makes it a new fall favorite of mine. New Belgium added cinnamon, nutmeg, and habanero peppers to this seasonal ale, creating a beer that’s equal parts sweet and spicy. It’s a perfect conversation starter for fall gatherings, and its playful edge captures the experimental spirit of the season’s craft beer creativity.
Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale
A fixture of New England autumns, Shipyard Pumpkinhead is nostalgia in a bottle. Its light body, gentle carbonation, and approachable 4.5% ABV make it endlessly drinkable. At the same time, it’s the subtle pumpkin and spice notes evokes images of cider doughnuts and hayrides. It’s the beer you pour when the leaves first start to turn, the perfect reminder that some seasonal traditions never lose their charm.
East End Big Hop Harvest Ale
Every fall, East End Brewing celebrates hop season with Big Hop Harvest Ale, a wet-hop beer that captures the raw essence of freshly picked hops. The result is bright, resinous, and slightly grassy; it’s like walking through a hop field in late September. Its limited, once-a-year nature makes it a true seasonal experience, and its balance of earthy bitterness and soft malt sweetness reflects autumn’s fleeting mix of vitality and calm.
Southern Tier Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout
For those who prefer their fall beers dark and decadent, Southern Tier’s Warlock delivers in spades. This imperial pumpkin stout blends roasted malts, chocolate, and coffee with the warmth of pumpkin and spice, creating a dessert-like experience that never feels over the top. Silky and smooth at 8.6% ABV, it’s a fireside sipper designed for long, cool nights and a bold reminder that fall is as much about depth as it is about celebration.
Sierra Nevada Premium Pils
When the malt bombs of fall start to feel heavy, you need something a bit lighter yet packed with flavor. Premium Pils, a new offering from hop legend Sierra Nevada, is the beer you want. Built on German malts and whole-cone hops, it offers a refreshing snap of herbal bitterness and cracker-like malt that feels tailor-made for transitional weather. Its precision and balance are what Sierra Nevada does best and are proof that even in a season defined by rich flavors, a perfectly made pilsner still has a place at the table.
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