Fall is that magical time of year when people break out their flannels, the leaves change color, and beer takes a turn toward deeply fruited and spicy brews. Seasonals are nothing new to the craft beer world, but every year there is a challenge to come up with something new or improve upon last year’s brew.
This year, some of the Hudson Valley’s finest brewing operations have outdone themselves and created a bevy of beers you’ll be happy to savor all through sweater weather.
Oktoberfest, Märzen Doppelbock
Clemson Bros. Brewery, Middletown & New Paltz
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It’s only fair we kick off our list with a beer which borrows its name from the season’s boozy holiday: Oktoberfest! This seasonal release from Clemson Bros. is sweet and dark, making it the perfect beverage to enjoy on a cozy autumn evening—whether you order the 5.7-percent ABV doppelbock on tap or in a can to-go. For pairing, the brewery recommends seared meats and zesty Mexican food.
Autumn Landscape, Festbier Lager
Industrial Arts Brewing Company, Garnerville
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Sip this Festbier Lager and notice notes of roasted pretzel and light toffee, which then resolve in a “lingering bitterness.” This fall beer is a truly local product—it’s made with malts from the Hudson Valley and hops sourced exclusively from New York. Better still, all profits made from this beer go towards the Westchester Parks Foundation, so you can crush a few of these 5.9-percent ABV lagers for a good cause.
Oktoberfest, Märzen
Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
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Mill House’s Cucumber Blessings and Velvet Panda might be perennial favorites, but Oktoberfest is all you’ll want to drink this autumn. At 5.4-percent ABV, the Märzen lager is highly drinkable, with a malty sweetness that screams fall in the Hudson Valley. It’s available on draft or in cans, because you’re probably going to want to grab a pack to go after sampling it at the restaurant.
Fudge Fantasy, Stout
Rare Form Brewing Company, Troy
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One of the hallmarks of spooky season is Halloween candy—at least for those of us with a sweet tooth. This stout will curb your craving for dessert with its rich synthesis of cookies and fudge. Brewed in collaboration with The Cookie Factory of Troy, the Fudge Fantasy is chocolate, sugar cookies, and dark malt in a tall, cold glass.
(No) Pumpkin, Hazy IPA
Sloop Brewing Company, East Fishkill
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We would be remiss not to mention this series out of Sloop Brewing Company, which thumbs its nose at seasonal beer trends. Rather than brew a pumpkin-flavored ale for fall, Sloop puts a spin on its beloved hazy IPA as a more subtle nod to the season. In Sloop’s own words: “No nutmeg. No coriander. No pine trees. Just beautifully hazy IPAs.” Sounds good to us!
Whistlin’, Lemongrass County Beer
Suarez Family Brewery, Hudson
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This brewer-owned and -operated “mom and pop” beer shop offers up this flavor-packed beverage, perfect for a picnic with friends or date night with a beer snob. It is both lively and subtle, gracing the palate with notes of lemongrass and ginger. The 5.6-percent ABV country beer is available for delivery or pickup at the Hudson location—so if you take a day trip to the artsy riverside city, be sure to squeeze in a stop to the Suarez family.
Liquid Flannel, All-NY Amber Lager
Zeus Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
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With a name like Liquid Flannel, how can you not expect this beer to be perfect for getting cozy in the changing fall weather? Zeus Brewing Company pairs Hudson Valley crystal and pilsner malt with New York Hop Guild Cascade hops to create a lager the brewery compares to being wrapped in a comfy blanket. This beer is not yet available in a four-pack, but you can enjoy a draft in the dining room or at the rooftop bar (weather permitting).
Dark Hollow, Chocolate Porter
West Kill Brewery, West Kill
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Don’t be fooled by the spooky name of this beer! Its taste is reminiscent of the velvety and sweet chocolate that makes us feel warm inside. However, the can’s design shares a vibe with its name; creepy-looking moths crowd a dimly-lit lamp in front of a pitch-black backdrop. This porter keeps it local on the cocoa front, too, using cacao nibs from Catskills-based Fruition Chocolate Works for the aging process.
Ichabod’s Fall, Pumpkin Ale
Peekskill Brewery, Peekskill
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This exciting collaboration between Peekskill Brewery and Horsefeathers Restaurant in Sleepy Hollow is the blueprint for fall craft beers. Named after the protagonist of the original ghost story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” this brew will give you the same shivers down your spine as watching the headless horseman ride past you!
Czech’rd Past, Pilsner
Chatham Brewing, Chatham
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This brew is a Bohemian-style pilsner, in case you’ve already had too much pumpkin spice this season. The can boasts classic Halloween thriller imagery, with a tattooed woman holding a gun inside a barbed wire border. Chatham Brewing says, “It’s best served cold, like revenge, it’s the choice to make when you can’t make any more mistakes.”
Related: Bake These Chocolate Stout Oatmeal Cookies for Beer Lovers
