September 21, 2012 is the first official day of fall and that means many of our Vermont breweries are releasing their fall seasonal beers. And that means it’s the time of the year for pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers!
Below are the fall seasonal beers for Vermont breweries. If you see something missing, just send us a note.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite beer at the bottom of the list!
Bobcat Cafe & Brewery
Oktoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.3% IBU: 23
“O’zapft is!” (“It’s tapped!”) enjoy this medium bodied beer with a gold to light amber color. Brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot: the beer contains: water, malted barley, hops & made with yeast. Some malty sweetness will be perceived, but it is balanced with the noble hops from Tettnang & Hallertau.
Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge
Oktoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
Oktobeer
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.2% IBU: 25
Fiddlehead’s Oktobeer will use Bohemian Pilsner malt as well as German Vienna, Crystal, and Munich malts with a German Lager yeast strain. The Oktobeer is planned to be lagering for over a month and flavored with German Tettnang hops. The Oktobeer will be released around mid October.
Other “Seasonal” Beers
Fiddlehead tries to release a new variety every other week. These “seasonal” beers are only available at the brewery in Shelburne (open 7 days/week). In addition to the Oktobeer, Fiddle has plans for a Bavarian Helles Lager, American Wheat, and Double IPA in October.
Harpoon Brewery
Octoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.5%
Several malts, including Munich and chocolate, deliver the malty character. The delicate hop aroma is not overpowering and the Willamette hops provide a gentle bitterness which balance well with the residual sweetness.
Jasper Murdock’s Alehouse
Oktoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.77% IBU: 25
This Bavarian Märzenbier lager is one of the popular styles of beer served during Oktoberfest in Munich from mid-September until early October. Jasper’s version of this classic is a clear, medium amber brew with a nice balance between malt and hops. High quality German barley, hops, and yeast are the only ingredients used, along with a long lager (cold storage) period.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
292 Ale
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.5%
Our Hoptoberfest style has a deep copper color, rich caramel and toasted flavors, and is chock full of our favorite hops!
Long Trail Brewing Company
Harvest Ale
Style: Amber Ale ABV: 4.4% IBU: 12
In celebration of the autumn harvest we’ve brewed this brown ale with locally harvested Vermont ingredients… a truly unique Taste of Vermont!
Pumpkin Ale
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable ABV: 5.5% IBU: 22
Long Trail is excited to launch Long Trail Pumpkin Ale, a slightly sweet seasonal treat artfully brewed with pumpkins, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The perfect drink for a fall day, this exceptionally balanced beer has an aroma very reminiscent of pumpkin pie.
Brewmaster Series Imperial Pumpkin Ale
Style: English Strong Ale ABV: 8% IBU: 20
Long Trail Imperial Pumpkin Ale is the latest introduction to the Long Trail Brewmaster Series. This limited release seasonal treat is small batch brewed with pumpkins, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves with increased malts and a touch of bitterness for the perfect balance.
Magic Hat Brewing Company
Hex
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5.4% IBU: 25
Hex is a malty amber ale offering hints of toffee and caramel with its slightly smoky finish. Malt: Pale, Vienna, Crystal, Cherry Wood Smoked Malt, Rye Hops: Hallertau Yeast: German Ale Yeast
McNeill’s Brewery
McNeill’s Oktoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
This bottle of Oktoberfest beer was made in traditional Bavarian fashion using the finest German malt and hops, and Barvarian lager yeast.
Otter Creek Brewing
Oktoberfest
Style: Amber Ale ABV: 4.8%
Brewed with Hallertau and Tettnang hops to balance its clean, malty sweetness, it’s the perfect brew for a crisp Autumn day. Available from September to November.
Wolaver’s Pumpkin Ale
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable ABV: 5.35%
This pumpkin ale is brewed with organic pumpkins. The subtle flavor of pumpkin and mild notes of spice enhance this golden amber ale, making it a perfect choice for the season.
Rock Art Brewery
Rock Art Extreme Pumpkin Imperial Spruce Stout
Style: Imperial Stout ABV: 8%
It’s a big stout brewed in the colonial fashion with large amounts of pumpkins and spruce tips added to the kettle for flavor and bittering qualities. The pumpkins complement the malt flavors and are used to add sugars to the mash. Whatever you do, do not think this is going to taste like pumpkin pie. For a SLOW experience, pair with BBQ venison loin, extra sharp cheddar cheese, vegetarian chili, fresh warm soft pretzel dipped in a honey mustard or grass fed beef stew.
Zero Gravity Craft Beer
Zero Gravity Oktoberfest
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen ABV: 5%
Jim is a web developer living in Burlington, Vermont. He enjoys Vermont craft beer and is a beginner home brewer. His favorite beer style is India Pale Ale, along with IPAs he considers himself a "hop-head" and loves all hoppy tasting beers.
