Forget pumpkin spice lattes – ‘tis the season of fall brews! We’re looking forward to happy hours that include pumpkin ales, nutty hops and seasonal citruses. While some autumn-inspired sips got an early start over the summer, most breweries are just now stocking their seasonal bottles and offering drafts at neighborhood bars. Here is your official checklist of the top seasonal beers from local breweries to look forward to this fall!
Hop Knife – Troegs Brewing (Hershey, PA)
ABV: 6.2%
Style: Amber Ale
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
Falling on the heels of Troegs’ first hop-forward seasonal draft, Cultivator, the Hop Knife is a new harvest ale that features hand-harvested hops at the peak of their maturity in the growing season. This fresh libation is full of chewy, fresh hops flavors of citrus and resin topped with tropical aromas.
Kenz o’ Lantern – Philadelphia Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA)
ABV: 5%
Style: Pumpkin Ale
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
This aptly branded pumpkin ale is guaranteed to be your go-to brew on Halloween night. Though it’s a light draft, the Kenz o’ Lantern pours dark and offers surprisingly heavy notes of ginger and nutmeg as compared to typical pumpkin beers.
Festbier – Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, PA)
ABV: 5.6%
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
In celebration of Oktoberfest, Victory presents their smooth, full-bodied Fest style beer each year. This brew teases the tongue with authentically imported 2 row Vienna and Munich German malts, and a bite of whole flower German hops for good measure.
Harvest From the Hood – Philadelphia Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA)
ABV: 7%
Style: Pale Ale
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
This fresh seasonal beer is brewed the same day that the hops are hand picked, grown by locals like O’Neal’s Pub and Greensgrow farms. Bright and juicy with a hint of citrus and pine, this pale ale is 100% hop-driven, finishing with a tasty, bitter zest.
Punkin Ale – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, DE)
ABV: 7%
Style: Brown Ale
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
Dogfish Head’s prize-winning seasonal draft is a warm, sugary treat. Brewed with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices, it’s a smooth, malty pour with notes of caramel – and an annual favorite since its 1994 debut.
OktoberFish – Flying Fish Brewing Co. (Somerdale, NJ)
ABV: 6%
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest
Availability: Draft, 12oz bottles, ½ kegs, ⅙ kegs and cask-conditioned
Brewed with European malt hops and yeast, Flying Fish’s take on Fest style beer is an attractive amber colored ale with a sweet and savory malt profile. The grassy hops are balanced by crisp hints of peach, grapes and medium-high carbonation.
PYNK – Yards Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA)
ABV: 5.5%
Style: Fruit / Vegetable
Availability: Draft and 12oz bottles
This is a light-bodied brew with fresh, unmistakable tartness. Created with raspberries and a combination of sweet and sour cherries, the color is pleasantly pink and the finish is refreshing yet dry. The best part? Yards donates $1 to breast cancer research and awareness for every case that’s sold.
What’s your favorite fall beer?
