Pumpkin, spiced apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg: Ah, the spices of fall. And while we love to drown our tastebuds in sweet and savory dishes that boast such quintessential fall flavors, our fridges are also consistently stocked with spiced hard ciders, Oktoberfest beers, breakfast stouts, amber ales, holiday IPAs and other go-to fall beers.
That’s right, it’s time to push those summer shandy and fruity hard seltzers to the side and make room for beer infused with herbs, spices and pumpkin. From tried-and-true Oktoberfest beers to celebrated ales, we’ve gathered — and ranked — the best fall beers ahead.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Trader Joe’s Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale
There’s a reason Trader Joe’s has recently restocked its shelves with its Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale: The just-sweet-enough, well-balanced beer boasts notes of pumpkin and all your favorite fall spices. Oh, and did we mention its 7 percent ABV? Not too shabby.
Buy at six-pack at Trader Joe’s for $6.99.
Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel
For an award-winning fall beer, look no farther than Flying Fish’s Abbey Dubbel, a caramel and honey amber-brown that also features hints of rich cherry and fig.
Fat Tire Amber Ale
Sure, Fat Tire’s great anytime of the year, but our favorite time to sip on this amber ale is at the onset of fall. There’s just something about the crisp, easy-drinking this ale that hits just right in late September.
Great Divide Brewing Company Hoss Oktoberfest Lager
Hailing from Denver, Great Divide Brewing Company has a stellar lineup of popular beers, from their can’t-have-just-one Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Ale to their hearty Yeti Imperial Stout. But nothing hits quite as well in October like their Oktoberfest Lager, rich with cherry, dark fruits and spicy notes.
Founders Brewing Company: Breakfast Stout
Speaking of coffee- and chocolate-infused beers, Founders Brewing Company’s Breakfast Stout is a filling imperial coffee stout brewed with two types of coffee — and that alone has us already craving the popular breakfast stout.
Deschutes Brewery: Black Butte Porter
On days when only a heavier beer will quench your thirst, Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery has just the brew: Their silky Black Butte Porter, which boasts notes of rich chocolate and coffee.
Austin Eastciders Spiced Cider
You can’t appropriately celebrate the arrival of fall without a spiced cider, and one of the best is brewed in Texas: Austin Eastciders Spiced Cider. Made with a mix of “sweet and zesty spices,” including cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, this cider practically passes as dessert.
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest Amber Märzen
Sierra Nevada is no stranger to producing fall beers, but their most popular has got to be their Oktoberfest Amber Märzen. Just one sniff of the malt-forward brew and its honey and caramel aromas will have you hooked.
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Please give another warm welcome to Sierra Nevada, who has made a second appearance on this best-of list for good reason: their oh-so-popular Celebration Ale, featuring notes of citrus and pine. Sure, this might be a great winter, Christmas-time ale, but why not get a head start on drinking this festive craft beer?
Brewery Ommegang: Rare Vos Amber Ale
We can thank New York-based brewery Ommegang for this fall favorite. Their Rare Vos amber ale is a Belgian-sstyle beer that’s both sweet (thanks to the hints of orange) and spicy (thanks to the coriander, among other spices) and will soon become one of your seasonal go-tos.
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
Receiving a score of 83 on Beer Advocate, Samuel Adams’ Oktoberfest beer is not only a popular brew amid the fall months, but it also tastes great. Blending the smooth, sweet flavor of caramel with hearty malts, this brew goes down smooth and is downright irresistible.
Leave a Comment