7 Pumpkin Beers To Drink Now

Each fall, we’re inundated with pumpkin-flavored everything, from pies and soups to the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte. But there’s one seasonal product we can all look forward to: the annual release of pumpkin beers.

Today, there are hundreds of pumpkin beers on the market. Some are brewed with actual pumpkins, while others use pumpkin pie spices to achieve that characteristic flavor.

The seven beers below are some of the best options for drinking this fall. Each is a limited-time offering that, for the most part, will disappear from shelves by the end of the year. So, the next time you head out for fall supplies (Halloween candy, Thanksgiving groceries, assorted pies…) pick up a six-pack of pumpkin beer. It’s the best way, most festive way to celebrate the season.

Southern Tier Pumking Imperial Ale

Southern Tier’s deep-copper beer is a favorite among fans of this category. It features moderate hop bitterness and malty sweetness, with buttery, roasty aromas and flavors ranging from vanilla and pie crust to baking spices. The brewery has been making Pumking since 2007, but they didn’t stop there. Southern Tier also offers a couple of variations on the original: Pumking Nitro, which is the same beer, but nitrogenized and packaged in a can, and Cold Brew Coffee Pumking, which is combined with roasted cold brew coffee. / 8.6% ABV

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

First released in 1995, this Delaware-made beer is the oldest pumpkin beer on this list. It’s brewed with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. The beer sports a robust pumpkin flavor and dials down the sweetness you’ll find in many examples. That makes it a solid beer for pairing with foods like turkey, stuffing and sharp cheeses. / 7% ABV

Two Roads RoadsMary’s Baby

RoadsMary’s Baby from Connecticut’s Two Roads Brewing Co. is one of the better beer-related puns you’ll find. It’s a traditional pumpkin ale, but with a unique twist: The beer is aged in rum barrels for added complexity and depth of flavor. The result is an easy-drinking ale with notes of pumpkin, spices, vanilla, oak and a hint of rum. / 6.8% ABV

Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

When Saint Louis-based Schlafly set out to make a pumpkin beer, they wanted to capture “a slice of pie in a bottle.” And that’s exactly what they did with their seasonal Pumpkin Ale. They begin by fermenting fresh pumpkin squash with brewer’s wort and a sugar mix before filtering the liquid through a spiced infusion of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. The result is rich, roasty and full-on pumpkin, with notes of spicy ginger and sweet caramel. / 8% ABV

Cigar City Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Here’s another brewery that can’t pass up a good pun. Tampa’s Cigar City brews their deep orange-colored Good Gourd pumpkin ale with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla. Aromas of buttered pie crust lead to prominent spice notes. On the palate, the floral hop bitterness balances the rich pumpkin and sweet caramel. / 8.8% ABV

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin Ale

Pale Ale, Wheat, and Light Munich malts are combined with two kinds of hops to make this full-bodied pumpkin beer from Portland, Maine. It’s sweet, spicy and the booziest of the bunch, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. / 9% ABV

Upslope Pumpkin Ale

Boulder, Colorado’s Upslope makes this dark orange ale with baby bear pumpkins and six spices. It’s mildly sweet, with a mix of fresh and roasted pumpkin flavors, plus enough bitter notes to balance things out. It holds its alcohol well and drinks lighter than many beers at similar percentages. / 7.7% ABV