There's never a bad time for beer, but there's something about the crisp autumn air that makes a good ale seem extra enticing.
Northeast Ohio has no shortage of breweries, and they're all concocting their own fall flavors. From Oktoberfests to pumpkin ales and all the autumnal flavors in-between, fall is a prime season for craft beer lovers.
Here's what some of the local breweries are offering.
Akronym Brewing
Das Pumpkin is Akronym's signature fall brew, and it's sort of like drinking pumpkin pie. The blend of pumpkin puree, lactose sugar, cinnamon and allspice is an amber marzen perfect for all your fall fun.
The Brew Kettle
Strongsville's Brew Kettle uses traditional pumpkin pie spices for a smooth ale boasting classic fall flavor in its Strangeville pumpkin ale. If something more traditional is more your style, Oktofest is a German fest bier brewed with a blend of German malts and German Tettnang hops.
Brick and Barrel
The fall flavor game is strong in Brick and Barrel's Roasted Out of My Gord Pumpkin Porter. You'll find a blend of pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon and brown sugar for chocolatey and caramely flavors.
Eighty-Three Brewery
Venture to Akron's east end for Eighty-Three's Devil's Night Jack-o Stout. It's brewed with cinnamon sticks, ginger root, Indonesian vanilla beans,
a secret spice blend and local alfalfa honey.
Fat Head's
Spooky Tooth is Fat Head's take on a pumpkin ale. It's rich in color and full of sweet and savory spices with hints of brown sugar. Think pumpkin pie with a smooth and clean finish.
Goldhorn Brewery
Head to the east side for a swig of Goldhorn's Oktoberfest lager, a "full-bodied märzenbier with a rich, toasty finish."
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Most Great Lakes fans have their sights set on the famous Christmas Ale, but Oktoberfest is now on tap and it's worth a try. Oktoberfest is a classic German style beer that pairs perfectly with pork, potato pancakes and wiener dog races, according to the brewery's website. Those looking for something a little more sinister should opt for Nosferatu, a ruby red imperial that pairs well with root veggies, red meat and dark cellars.
Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Head to Hoppin' Frog for a smooth, spicy take on pumpkin ale. The Frog's Hollow Pumpkin Ale is a complex blend of fall flavor, and it's also available aged in whiskey barrels.
Market Garden Brewery
Market Garden's Franklin Castle Pumpkin Spiced Ale pays tribute to the infamously spooky Ohio City landmark. The brew is made with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and muscavado sugar.
Masthead Brewing Co.
PSL lovers, rejoice. Masthead has the brew for you. The popular beer and pizza spot is brewing Pumpkin Spice Latte IPA, made with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and coffee beans. For those who aren't so keen on the coffee, Masthead's Haunted Hayride IPA is also a local favorite.
Noble Beast Brewing Co.
Noble Beast still has some solid summer options on tap if you're not quite ready to bid summer farewell, but once you've changed into your flannel shirt, Fall Farmhaus is ready. It's a fall saison featuring sweet orange peel and spicy rye blends. It's also sweet potato saison season, which Noble Beast says it's brewing soon.
Platform Beer Co.
Platform's quick to roll out new brews each season, and the S'mores Yammy screams of fall. It's a play on Platform's Yammy Yammy, with additions of marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate and cinnamon. Perfect by a bonfire.
Sibling Revelry
Take a break from pumpkin and give Sibling Revelry's Pecan Brown Ale a try. Brewed with candied pecans, brown sugar and milk sugar, it just returned to the Sibling Revelry taproom, and is also available in six-packs at local retailers.
Southern Tier
Pumking reigns supreme among pumpkin beers, and Southern Tier's Cleveland taproom offers it in varied forms. The original Pumking features pumpkin puree and pie spices, but it's also offered aged in rum barrels, or as Cold Press Coffee Pumking with light roasted coffee. Fans should also try Warlock, a stout adaptation of the Pumking recipe.
Thirsty Dog
Thirsty Dog's Barktoberfest is a popular local favorite, but it's only available through Oct. 15, according to the brewery's website. Barktoberfest is a traditional Oktoberfest beer made with German yeast and hops. Once Barktoberfest retires for the season, switch to Pumpkin Ale, which is available through November. It's a blend of pumpkin, squash, honey, ginger and clove flavors.
