Pumpkin Beers and Seasonal Oktoberfest Favorites
Every fall, pumpkin beer makes its way back onto shelves, signaling the start of sweater weather, tailgates, and evenings when a little spice just feels right. Pumpkin beer has become one of those polarizing styles—some people wait all year for it while others roll their eyes and stick to their IPAs. Love it or not, the category continues to evolve, with brewers finding ways to balance pumpkin flavor, spice, and malt in ways that go beyond the novelty. At its best, a pumpkin beer isn’t about tasting like pie in a glass, but about capturing the warmth and comfort that comes with the season.
Pumpkin beers started decades ago as a craft curiosity. Early versions leaned heavily on nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove, sometimes overwhelming the actual beer. But just as with sour beers or hazy IPAs, time and experimentation have refined the style. Now, many brewers use roasted pumpkin in the mash itself, allowing the flavor to integrate naturally with malts. Others keep the pumpkin subtle, adding just enough to give depth without overpowering. The result is a category that ranges from sweet and dessert-like to dry and complex, making it more versatile than its critics admit.
Fall also happens to be Oktoberfest season, and while pumpkin beers grab the headlines, German lagers deserve equal attention. At Boone’s, it’s common to see customers mixing a six-pack with both pumpkin ales and classic Oktoberfest styles, creating a fall tasting lineup that covers both ends of the spectrum. Shiner Oktoberfest is a great example of how American breweries adapt the tradition—malty, smooth, and approachable with just enough caramel sweetness to remind you of fall leaves. German staples like Erdinger Oktoberfest and Paulaner Oktoberfest take you straight to Munich, showcasing toasted malt, clean lager fermentation, and a crisp finish that makes them endlessly drinkable. They’re reminders that sometimes simple is best, and that Oktoberfest beers are built for session drinking and community gatherings.
For those looking for something stronger, Avery Brewing’s The Kaiser offers a bold take on the style. It’s an imperial Oktoberfest lager with higher alcohol content and richer malt depth, almost like an Oktoberfest turned up to eleven. Where a traditional German lager might glide across the palate, The Kaiser makes you take notice with toffee, bread crust, and a little warming strength. It’s a beer that works just as well by the campfire as it does at a harvest party, and it shows how Colorado brewers like Avery aren’t afraid to put their own spin on European traditions.
Pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest may seem like competitors for fall drinkers, but they actually complement each other. A spiced pumpkin ale pairs well with dessert or as a standalone evening sipper, while a crisp Oktoberfest lager matches perfectly with bratwurst, pretzels, or football snacks. Together, they create balance—one leaning into seasonal flavors, the other leaning into centuries of brewing tradition. Building a mixed pack of both styles makes it easy to please a crowd, giving guests options depending on mood and palate.
What keeps these beers popular year after year is the sense of ritual. Cracking open a pumpkin ale in October feels like a seasonal milestone, just like putting up decorations or carving jack-o-lanterns. Pouring a Paulaner Oktoberfest into a tall glass with friends feels like a nod to something bigger, a tradition that stretches back generations. Seasonal beers aren’t just about taste; they’re about marking time and celebrating the rhythm of the year.
At Boone’s, the shelves fill quickly each September with pumpkin and Oktoberfest releases, and customers know to stock up before they’re gone. These aren’t beers that stick around forever—they come and go with the season, making them all the more special. Whether you’re a pumpkin loyalist, a German lager purist, or someone who wants a bit of both, fall is the time to lean in and enjoy. Because once winter rolls around, the flavors shift again, and the chance to savor these seasonal staples disappears until next year.
