The best beers for fall range from lagers to stouts to pumpkin spice and everything nice. These and more are flowing at Harrisburg area breweries.
Lager-heads rejoice with malty märzens, stout drinkers no longer have to hide their dark libations, and seasonal drinkers find joy in the eternally early return of pumpkin beers.
No matter your favorite flavor of the season, our local Harrisburg breweries have you covered.
Traditional Fall Beers
When you say Oktoberfest or Fest Beer, you’re really talking about a Märzen-style lager. Slightly malty, crisp, and low-ABV so you’re not sick of it once you get to the bottom of your 32 oz. stein. Fall beer perfection.
Oktoberfest
D.G. Yuengling & Son
Do you have a full day of football watching ahead of you? Grab Yuengling’s Oktoberfest. This classic Oktoberfest has a touch less malt sweetness. It’s easy to kick back a few while you watch your fantasy team reign supreme.
Oktoberfest
Lancaster Brewing Co.
Seven specialty malts give LBC’s traditional Märzen lager a great depth of flavor. Caramel and toasted bread notes linger briefly before an earthy hop finisher. Incredibly drinkable, perfect for toasting a day of leaf raking.
Kiponafest
Appalachian Brewing Co.
ABC celebrates Oktoberfest with a full menu and a release of their Kiponafest Märzen lager. Grab some to celebrate at home, or head out to one of the six ABC locations for all the brat, schnitzel, and cheese soup you can handle.
Pigtoberfest
Boneshire Brew Works
Boneshire brewed its first-ever Oktoberfest! It releases at Bonehsire Saturday, Oct. 3, and you can bet this is one we’ll be getting our hands on ASAP.
Non-Märzen Lagers
Czechia Pils
Ever Grain Brewing Co.
Ever Grain‘s take on a Bohemian-style Pilsner. Incredibly drinkable, dry, with the delightful spicy aroma from traditional noble hops. If you go to Ever Grain, you must try the slow-pour version, which takes about five minutes and allows dense foam to congregate atop this gorgeous beer, adding a full sensory experience. Meanwhile, I’ll take a case of this brewer’s favorite.
Sunset Lager
Winding Path Brewing Co.
One sip of Sunset Lager and you’ll be feeling that quintessential summer-into-fall feeling. This crisp and light easy-drinker is balanced with slightly sweet malt flavors and herbal German hops. Close the computer at the end of the day, head out to your patio, and reach for one of these.
For the Pumpkinheads
Like Christmas trees in August, pumpkin beers seem to rear their gourdy-heads earlier each year to the delight or chagrin of many. If you’re looking for the best fall beers, you gotta try these squash faves.
Baked Pumpkin
Lancaster Brewing Co.
LBC’s Baked Pumpkin Ale captures all of the flavors you imagine when the thought of pumpkin beers start dancing in your head. This local seasonal classic is as advertised — a must for pumpkin spice fans. Slight sweetness with all the warming spices of fall.
Curious Gourd
Ever Grain Brewing Co.
Ever Grain hits the mark with their take on the seasonal favorite. Curious Gourd uses a brown ale as a base. Notes of sweet chocolate pair with spices and vanilla, creating a darker, rounder, and deeper flavor than many other pumpkin ales.
Master of Pumpkins
Tröegs Independent Brewing
Master of Pumpkins made its way into cans! Tröegs‘ highly-anticipated fall staple is made with neck pumpkins from Strites Orchard. This easy drinker has notes of vanilla, clove, and ginger. An October classic in our book.
More Fall Brew Vibes
It turns out it’s not all about lagers and pumpkin beers. Harrisburg breweries are brewing a variety of seasonal treats, and these fall beers are your next go-tos.
Hop Cyclone
Tröegs Independent Brewing
A new Once-A-Year from Tröegs is always met with anticipation. Hop Cyclone ups the ante on tropical hop flavors and what they call “hop waves of epic proportions.” Notes of pineapple and citrus ring through this DIPA that clocks in at a deceptive 9% ABV.
Boreal Spruce IPA
Winding Path Brewing Co.
It’s like biting into the freshest Christmas tree but in the best way possible. Winding Path’s newest IPA is made with Northwest hops and fresh spruce needles making it bright, dank, and BITTER! Just the way we like it. Take it on a hike and crack it open once you hit the peak.
Let’s Do Brunch
Lancaster Brewing Co.
Move over mimosas, Let’s Do Brunch is what we’re drinking for Sunday Brunch throughout fall. To celebrate their 25th year of brewing, LBC went all-in on a local collab with HERSHEY’S Cocoa, local maple syrup, coffee from Lancaster County Coffee Roasters, and aged it in Bourbon barrels from Hidden Still Spirits. This beer has a lot going on, yet is impressively balanced.
The fall beer vibes don’t stop here. Keep an eye out for upcoming fall releases from local breweries across out area.
Sara and Jimi collaborated on this post. Breweries provided samples; however, reviews are our own.
