Welcoming a new season isn’t just about a change in weather, it also brings welcome changes that are sure to please the palate. For example, it turns out that pumpkin and autumnal spices can taste just as enjoyable in a pilsner glass as they do in a coffee mug. Check out some of Michigan’s best beers of fall.

Pure Michigan Fall IPA: Short’s Brewing Company-Elk Rapids

Style: Amber ABV: 5.2%
Description: This seasonal effort from Short’s is brewed in partnership with Pure Michigan, so, not surprisingly, it is made with ingredients grown on Michigan farms like malt from Great Lakes Malting Company, and hops from Hop Alliance. The result is a balanced brew that has a hoppy bitterness, which is offset by a fruited sweetness.

Chubby Squirrel: Right Brain Brewery-Traverse City

Style: Spiced Amber Ale ABV: 5.5%
Description: There are tons of these guys running around my yard, but I’d much rather drink their namesake. It features some sweet components to balance out the spice, having been brewed with real Madagascar vanilla beans, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon peel. Spice aromas balance out notes of toffee, brown sugar, and vanilla.

Ultimate Oktoberfest: Founders Brewing Company-Grand Rapids

Style: Lager ABV: 9.4%
Description: What do you get when you cross a traditional Oktoberfest with the beer stylings of Founders? Obviously, a classic German-style Marzen that has grown up in a bourbon barrel for the past nine months. This unique brew features notes of bourbon atop caramel, sweet bread, and baking spices. It’s moderately sweet with a light bitterness. Be careful, though, with an ABV of 9.4%, this baby packs a punch.

Ichabod: New Holland Brewing Company-Holland

Style: Pumpkin Ale ABV: 4.5%
Description: Thanks to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and its Headless Horseman, the name Ichabod Crane, has become synonymous with Halloween. Similarly, New Holland’s Ichabod has become one of the best know Michigan brews of the fall. It combines malted barley and real pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg that pairs well with poultry, root vegetables and even dessert.

Cherry Stout: Bell’s Brewing-Kalamazoo

Style: Spiced American Stout ABV: 7%
Description: When you live in cherry country, that leads to a lot of unique and tasty products. The cherry varietal harvested for this brew is intentionally not too sweet. That is because it is counterbalanced by the warm, dark chocolate notes from the malt bill. The stout style makes it cozy for fall, while the hints of cherry help us hang on a little to summer.

La Parcela (The Patch): Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales-Dexter

Style: Sour Pumpkin Ale ABV: 6.2%
Description: For years there was a running joke in the beer community about the fact that Jolly Pumpkin didn’t brew a pumpkin beer. That changed in 2017 with the first release of this seasonal brew. It is made with a heavy dose of real pumpkins, hints of spice and just a touch of cacao.

Oktoberfest Lager: Frankenmuth Brewery-Frankenmuth

Style: Märzen Lager ABV: 5.27%
Description: Märzen is a lager that originated in Bavaria. In fact, it is the beer traditionally served at Oktoberfest, so it only seems right that Frankenmuth Brewery produce one. The popular, seasonal staple is truly brewed with a little taste of Bavarian. They use German noble hops and four different malts to create its trademark copper color and flavor.

Pumpkin Spice Latte: Atwater Brewing Company-Detroit

Style: Herb & Spice Beer ABV: 6%
Description: Atwater is seeing American’s passion for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and raising it with a beer. It features three different malts to create a combination of walnut and honey flavors with a little extra sweetness. There are also hints of pumpkin spice and coffee extracts. If you love starting your day with pumpkin spiced latte in the morning, you’ll love winding down with this smooth taste in the evening.

Screamin’ Pumpkin: Griffin Claw Brewing-Rochester

Style: Spiced Amber Ale ABV: 5%
Description: The pumpkin is all real and roasted in this delightful amber ale. Gently accented with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger, the result is flavorful without being overly spicy. It is lightly hopped, and almost takes like pumpkin pie in a glass.

Satin Skies: Arbor Brewing Company-Ann Arbor

Style: Spiced Oatmeal Stout ABV 6.5%
Description: Fall evenings in Michigan are perfect for bonfires, aurora hunting, and sipping a brew like this. Smooth and full bodied, it features notes of sweet coffee, bittersweet chocolate and toasted grains.

Cheers to crisp fall days and and brisk autumn nights.

Author: Lisa Diggs

Lisa Diggs is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, business consultant, avid traveler, and founder of The Catalyst Company, LLC, Michigan Positivity Project, and Buy Michigan Now.