Fall is Calling.....and It Wants a Beer
Whether you’re a pumpkin-everything person or think fall doesn’t officially start until someone hands you a brat and a stein, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s start with the obvious.
Pumpkin beers are back, and there are plenty of different ways to get your pumpkin fix.
Athletic Dark & Gourdy brings pumpkin flavor without the alcohol, making it an easy option when you want all the fall vibes without the ABV.
Samuel Adams Jack-O brings cinnamon and nutmeg to the party for a beer that practically begs to be enjoyed with pumpkin pie.
Left Hand Pumpkin Spice Latte takes things in a very different direction. Pumpkin + coffee + beer? Yep. Fall really does have everything.
Elysian Pumpkin Pack is perfect for the person who can’t decide which pumpkin beer they like best. More pumpkin options = fewer difficult decisions.
Backpocket Pumpkin Ale brings the classic pumpkin-and-spice combination that’s perfect for a cool Iowa evening.
And if pumpkin spice is your love language, you’ve got some serious options with Wilson’s Pumpkin Spice and Exile Pumpkin Spice.
Want to take it up another notch?
Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale adds barrel-aged character to the fall lineup, while Dogfish Head Punkin brings its own take on the classic pumpkin ale.
And don’t forget the Samuel Adams Fall Variety Pack—because sometimes picking just one beer is asking too much.
Pumpkin beers aren’t just for drinking by themselves.
Try them with:
· Pumpkin pie
· Apple crisp
· Turkey and stuffing
· Roasted sweet potatoes
· Sharp cheddar
· Apple cider donuts
Basically, if it came from a pumpkin patch, apple orchard or Thanksgiving table, there’s a good chance a fall beer will work with it.
You know who they are.
They see a stein and immediately start planning a bratwurst.
And honestly? We respect it.
Oktoberfest beers are made for fall. They’re typically smooth, malty and full of toasted, bready and caramel-like flavors that pair perfectly with hearty food.
Doll’s Des Moines lineup has plenty to choose from, including:
Ayinger Oktoberfest Märzen
Boulevard Bob’s Oktoberfest
Full Fledged Oktoberfest
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Erdinger Oktoberfest
Warsteiner Oktoberfest
Big Grove Oktoberfest
Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest
Toppling Goliath Oktoberfest
Surly Oktoberfest
That’s a lot of Oktoberfest.
But don’t overthink it. Grab one you haven’t tried, invite some friends over and make a night of it.
Pretty much anything you would happily eat at a fall festival.
Brats + Oktoberfest = A classic for a reason.
Pretzels + Oktoberfest = Don’t forget the beer cheese.
Burgers + Oktoberfest = Tailgate approved.
Sausage + sauerkraut + Oktoberfest = Now we’re getting serious.
Pizza + Oktoberfest = Not traditional, but we’re not judging.
Grilled steak + Oktoberfest = Because sometimes fall means firing up the grill one more time before winter.
There really aren’t any.
Drink pumpkin beer with your dessert.
Drink Oktoberfest with your burger.
Put a six-pack in the cooler for the football game.
Bring a few to the bonfire.
Try something you’ve never had before.
And if someone tells you it’s too early for pumpkin beer…
They can have a pumpkin beer with us.
So grab your favorite fall foods, call your friends, find a cozy spot and crack open something seasonal.
Because summer had its fun.
Now it’s fall’s turn.