Pumpkin Pilsners: The 10 Best Fall Beers You Need to Try

When the seasons change, so do the drinks in your glass. Autumn’s arrival means bars and restaurants worldwide break out their best ales and wines for customers to try. What fall beers should you pour this year? Here’s your guide to the season’s beverages. 

Best Fall Beers for Your Autumn Events

Where can you find the best fall beers? You may have a local bar or pub with reliable suds. If your town celebrates Oktoberfest, try a beer for international flavor. Regardless, you’ll see these 10 fall beers featured anywhere you go. 

1. Pumpkin Ales

When the calendar turns to September, the pumpkin spice fans get excited. Starbucks unveils the coffee flavor, and the long lines ensue. However, you can find pumpkin flavors in your beer. Prominent beer producers like Blue Moon, Samuel Adams and Franklin Castle make pumpkin-spice ale. While its popularity has declined, pumpkin-spice beer still earns about $1 billion annually. If you like sweeter beers, this one is for you. 

2. Pale Ales

Pale ales are for those who like a lot of hops and stronger citrus notes. In comparison, English brews have more malty characteristics. Regardless, this beer has some great flavors for fall. For instance, amber ales taste like maple syrup or dried fruit, giving you sweeter notes in your glass. This fall, try hazy pale ales because they’re one of the best beers for tropical notes. 

3. Oktoberfest Beer

There’s nothing like drinking an Oktoberfest beer as you stroll a festival and eat a giant pretzel. What flavors can you find at this seasonal event? Look for märzenbier, a German lager with a medium-to-full body, depending on who makes it. Märzenbier is unique because it balances sweetness and bitterness. The higher ABV also favors those who want something a little stronger. Head to the store and look for Great Lakes, Two Roads and other Märzen bottles.

4. Imperial Stouts

Stouts have a unique taste and might not be for everybody. However, they’re among the best fall beers because of their dark coloring and chocolatey flavors. Imperial stouts, specifically, are bold beverages with roasted grains and coffee flavors. That said, it’s debatable whether you want one in the morning. Guinness is a popular option for imperial stouts, and Founders Breakfast also makes good ones. 

5. Scotch Ale

When someone says Scotch, you may picture the Godfather cocktail or other drinks using the liquor. Scotch ale is unique because producers make it with fermented ale yeast. So, why should you designate it as one of your beers to try this fall? Scotch ale has rich caramel and toffee flavors, thus complementing the autumn atmosphere. Plus, it goes well with fall foods like beef stew. 

6. Barleywine

The name suggests it’s a wine, but barleywine is actually one of the strongest fall beers on the market. Barleywine’s ABV is as high as 12%, nearly tripling some of the brews you see on grocery store shelves. These beers have a higher malt content, meaning they can be sweeter if their hop content is lower. Finding barleywine typically means getting craft beer from a brewery, but you may find it in stores. 

7. Doppelbock

If you like strong beer, doppelbock gives any other Oktoberfest brew a run for its money. Doppel is German for double, meaning you get twice the traditional bock flavor. Legend believes this beer came from Bavarian monks in the 18th century, although the stories are dubious. Regardless, it’s one of the best fall beers because of its nutty and lager characteristics. 

8. Dunkel

Another German beer you should try this fall is Dunkel. This word means dark in German, so the beer refers to darker malts with full flavors. Dunkel is one of the underrated fall beers in America because it’s not widely available here. However, the characteristics of bread, chocolate and licorice may make it worth a trip to Germany. 

9. Red IPA

India pale ales (IPAs) can be an acquired taste because of their soapy and bitter flavors. However, fans of them enjoy red IPAs when the fall comes around. With a red IPA, you taste more of the hops and deeper fall flavors. For instance, your bartender could give you a beer with caramel and dark fruit tastes, thus embodying the autumn atmosphere. 

10. Baltic Porter

Another trip around the globe could put a Baltic porter in your hand. This beer is more robust than your typical English porter, boasting an ABV content of over 10%. You may have trouble finding Baltic porters, considering they aren’t as popular anymore. However, they’re worth searching for because of their unique characteristics. Drinking it may remind you of licorice, toasted nuts or caramel flavors. 

Other Autumn Alcohol Worth a Taste

If you’re not much of a beer fan, don’t worry — there are plenty of other options this fall. Here are some examples of autumn favorites in the fridge and cupboard. 

• Apple cider: Apple cider might be the quintessential fall drink. Made from fermented apples, this beverage is widely available in stores and bars. Angry Orchard may be the most well-known, although Strongbow and Woodchuck are also popular. 
• Pinot Noir: If you like mixology, you know to keep wine on hand for classic cocktails. Pinot Noir is an excellent alternative to fall beers because of its earthy taste and light-to-medium body.  
• Amaretto: Amaretto is an Italian liqueur famous for its sweetness, with the flavors coming from almonds, peaches and apricots. Mix it with vodka, apple cider, and cinnamon to have a strong fall taste. 
• Rye whiskey: Expect to see even more whiskey in the coming years, as experts say it’s worth $89 billion and growing. Rye whiskey is excellent for fall because of its nutty and spicy flavors, thus adding dryness to your cocktails. 

Finding Fall Beers for a Taste of the Season

Fall is about connecting with family and friends and eating tasty food. What better way to celebrate the season than the best fall beers? Broaden your horizons by trying new domestic and international beers you’ve never had before. Don’t knock them until you try them! Make it a taste-testing experience with your family and friends.