Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen, and with the orange leaves and crisp air comes the cherished Oktoberfest season.
For many, this German tradition means indulging in flavorful beers while enjoying hearty bratwurst and soft pretzels. But what if you’re aiming to capture the spirit of Oktoberfest without the alcohol?
Fear not, dear beer enthusiasts! The craft brewing scene has risen to the challenge, offering some of the finest non-alcoholic Oktoberfest beers on the market.
2023 has graced us with a splendid selection of these guilt-free brews that tantalize the taste buds without compromising on taste or authenticity.
So, whether you’re looking for health benefits, reducing alcohol intake, or simply wanting a refreshing twist, dive into our curated list of the must-try non-alcoholic Oktoberfest beers this fall.
What is an Oktoberfest Beer?
At the heart of the German tradition lies the Oktoberfest beer. Not to be confused simply by its association with the grand festival, Oktoberfest beer is deeply rooted in brewing artistry.
Essentially, Oktoberfest is a rich malt beer balancing clean, hop bitterness, reminiscent of the Vienna lager.
This beer bursts with toasted bread or biscuit-like malt aroma and flavor. Its history traces back to its traditional brewing period in spring, labeled “Marzen” meaning “March”, and subsequently aged or lagered throughout summer.
Two main styles dominate the Oktoberfest scene:
- Marzen: An amber-colored lager, this beer is characterized by its full body, malty flavor, and clean finish. Perfectly paired with hearty fall foods, Marzen is made using bottom-fermenting lager yeast and a specific hop blend to achieve its distinctive sweet and crisp profile.
- Festbier or Weisn: The current official beer of Germany’s Oktoberfest, Festbier is a strong, golden lager. Made primarily with Pilsner malt, it offers a biscuity, toasty flavor and is pale and clean in appearance.
While both beers encapsulate the spirit of Oktoberfest, their brewing techniques and flavor profiles offer enthusiasts a variety of choices.
Oktoberfest: The Essence of Bavarian Tradition
Originating in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest beer is more than just a drink; it’s an embodiment of centuries-old festivities and communal celebration.
Crafted with precision and care, this amber delight offers a blend of malt richness with balanced hop bitterness, akin to the harmony of the Vienna lager. What’s special about Oktoberfest beer is its capability to transport you straight to the beer tents in Munich, letting you almost hear the cheerful clamor, feel the wooden benches, and taste the savory treats of the festival.
Each sip of an Oktoberfest brew, especially the traditional Marzen, brings forward a malty backbone and a touch of sweetness, reminiscent of cozy evenings by the fireplace.
While the brew’s origin roots deep into German spring, it’s aged to perfection by fall, making it a fitting tribute to the Oktoberfest celebrations.
What is a Pumpkin Beer?
As leaves change and there’s a nip in the air, the pumpkin beer emerges as a favorite among craft brewers and fans. But what makes a pumpkin beer?
Pumpkin beers are diverse, encapsulating various styles from ales (most commonly) to stouts, IPAs, lagers, and even radlers. This diversity means they can be malty-sweet, bitter, or spicy, and vary in color from pale to extremely dark. At their core, these beers are brewed with pumpkin, pumpkin purée, or pumpkin flavoring.
Three main flavor notes define pumpkin beer:
- Pumpkin: Many brewers incorporate real pumpkin—be it roasted or puréed—into the brewing process. However, some opt out, relying solely on spices to evoke the pumpkin flavor.
- Spices: Baking spices akin to those found in pumpkin pie (like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla) dominate most pumpkin beers. This is because the pumpkin itself has a rather subtle flavor that needs amplification.
- Additional Flavors: Some adventurous brewers take their pumpkin beer to the next level, introducing flavors like molasses, orange, vanilla, coffee, or spicy peppers. A select few even age their brews in barrels for an added depth of flavor.
Pumpkin Beer: The Quintessential Taste of Autumn
On the other side of the fall beer spectrum lies the pumpkin beer, a true testament to the creativity and adaptability of brewers. This brew embraces the emblematic fruit of the season, weaving it into an aromatic tapestry of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
While Oktoberfest beers transport you to Bavarian beer tents, pumpkin beers envelop you in the warmth of your kitchen during Thanksgiving preparations.
They resonate with the joy of carving jack-o’-lanterns, the aroma of pumpkin pies in the oven, and the comforting embrace of a woolen sweater. And the brewing techniques vary — some feature roasted pumpkins, others highlight pumpkin purée, and a few might rely solely on spices to evoke that desired pumpkin flair.
The beer’s versatility spans from malty-sweet ales to hoppy IPAs, from the subtle hint of pumpkin to the robust spiciness of a pie.
Oktoberfest vs Pumpkin Beer Flavor
It’s worth noting the stark difference between Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beer. While Oktoberfest (or Märzenbier) is a traditional German lager brewed without flavoring additives, focusing on the natural harmony of hops and yeast, pumpkin beer leans into adjuncts for flavor, whether pumpkin, spices, or both.
With these clarifications in hand, you can now navigate the brew-splashed lanes of non-alcoholic Oktoberfest and pumpkin beer releases with confidence, discerning the notes that dance on your palate and tracing them back to their brewing roots.
Our list of the Best Non-Alcoholic Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Beers to Try this Fall 2023
Oktoberfest by Untitled Art
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beer that will transport you to the Oktoberfest festival in Munich, then look no further than Untitled Art’s Oktoberfest.
This beer is brewed with rich caramel and Vienna malts for a full body and a crisp finish, and it’s finished with Cascade hops for a touch of bitterness. Whether you’re enjoying a stein of Oktoberfest at the festival or at home, this beer is sure to please.
Untitled Art is a revolutionary brewery that collaborates with all kinds of different artists to create stunning non-alcoholic and leaded beers. They have a team of liquid artists who brew fresh new flavors and create new innovative ideas that stimulate your taste buds.
Make sure to check out other great non-alcoholic beers brewed by Untitled Art for the rest of the season.
Oktoberfest by Athletic Brewing
Pumpkin Ale by Wellbeing Brewing
Oktoberfest! by Atmos Brewing
Delve into the rich embrace of autumn with “Oktoberfest!” – a non-alcoholic Marzen Lager meticulously crafted by Atmos Brewing Company in Hailey, ID.
This traditional Oktoberfest brew showcases a robust body teeming with deep malt undertones and a caramelized sweetness that lingers on the palate. Whether you’re seeking a drink to accompany fall festivities or a flavorful beer to enjoy anytime, “Oktoberfest!” effortlessly bridges the gap between tradition and modern brewing, delivering a classic Marzen experience without the alcohol.
Join Atmos Brewing Co. in celebrating the season with a beer that captures the spirit of Oktoberfest in every sip.
While this beer has been released each fall for the past few years, there has not yet been an official announcement from Atmos Brewing about its appearance this year. So stay on the lookout!
If you’d like to explore more non-alcoholic craft beers brewed by Atmos Brewing, check them out here. Atmos does some really cool things with their NA brews, including using only ingredients that come from their local area in Idaho, including “free-range” water from the Big Wood River.
Fest Beer by Athletic Brewing Company
Drawing its inspiration from traditional Bavarian Festbiers, Athletic Brewing’s Fest Beer captures the essence of fall celebrations perfectly.
This golden, non-alcoholic Oktoberfest-style beer makes its debut every autumn, setting the stage for the season. A rich malt backbone, derived from Vienna and Munich malts, adds a clean profile to the brew, complemented by a touch of bitterness from Hallertau Mittelfruh hops. This balances out the bready aroma and slightly sweet flavor of the beer, rendering it lively yet delicate and extraordinarily refreshing.
For the team at Athletic Brewing, the first sip of their Oktoberfest beer flags the arrival of autumn, inviting a bustle of seasonal activities like tailgating, leaf peeping, trail hiking, and pumpkin carving. For anyone eager to plunge into the spirit of fall, what could be better than picking up a six-pack (or more) of Athletic Brewing’s Fest Beer?
Acknowledging the beer’s traditional German craftsmanship, Brewer David Fitch categorizes it as a mellow brew. He relishes the blend of malty sweetness and a hint of bitterness that their Oktoberfest brings, making it the perfect partner for a crisp, fall day.
No Regrets by One for the Road Brewing
Rich, malty, and toasty are the hallmarks of No Regrets, One for the Road’s award-winning Marzen.
This beer is characterized by its amber hue with gleaming copper highlights. It offers a full-bodied experience that is both rich and toasty, accompanied by an enticing aroma.
The Marzen, a traditional German brew, was historically made in March and then stored in caves. This practice ensured the availability of beer during summer months when brewing was challenging due to the warm conditions.
While it’s typically associated with Oktoberfest, One for the Road Brewing has made it accessible for enthusiasts to savor year-round.
When looking for the perfect pairing, this Marzen complements KielbasaJalapeno, Monterey Jack Cheese, and Coconut Cream Pie, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a culinary adventure.
Now this beer may be difficult to find if you’re in the United States. That’s because One for the Road Brewing is located out of Calgary, Alberta up in Canada. Their beers are mostly found up north, but will sometimes venture their way down south where we Americans can find them.
Dark & Gourdy by Athletic Brewing
Another Athletic Brewing? Well… any list of top NA beers wouldn’t be complete without at least a few brews from ABC.
Dark and Gourdy is a quintessential autumnal brew fashioned in the time-honored porter style. This festive beer is infused with hallmark fall spices such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
With flavor notes that encompass brown chocolate, coffee, malt, spiced wheat, every mouthful is a reminder of autumn’s allure.
Taking a sip of “Dark & Gourdy” is akin to immersing oneself in a cascade of fall leaves, evoking memories of pumpkin patches, bonfires, labyrinthine mazes, and cozy flannel-wrapped evenings.
As a unique seasonal offering, “Dark & Gourdy” graces the shelves only during autumn, making it a sought-after treat.
As of now, this beer is “Sold Out” but hopefully will come back into stock soon.
As the curtains fall on our exploration of the best non-alcoholic Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers for the autumn of 2023, it’s clear that the brewing industry is pushing boundaries, marrying traditional flavors with modern brewing techniques to cater to an ever-growing audience.
These beers are no longer just alternatives but standouts in their own right, offering all the richness and seasonal nuances we crave without the alcohol. And it doesn’t stop here. These breweries, along with many others, are making waves with other styles of non-alcoholic beers, creating exceptional NA IPAs, savory NA stouts, luscious NA lagers, awesome NA ambers, sweet NA cervezas, and even NA sours. The list of incredible non-alcoholic beers is growing and growing. You don’t want to miss out during the other seasons.
If you’re interested in sampling some of these incredible beers, make sure to sign yourself, or someone else, up for our NA beer of the month subscription club, where each month you’ll receive a box full of new and unique non-alcoholic craft beers for you to enjoy and share with others. A subscription makes the perfect non-alcoholic beer gift for yourself or a loved-one.
So, as you wrap yourself in a cozy sweater and watch the leaves change, reach for one of these exceptional non-alcoholic Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers. You’ll be toasting to tradition, flavor, and innovation—all in a single glass. Prost!
