Autumn 2025 arrives with vibrant foliage, crisp air, and an even bigger wave of Oktoberfest celebrations. But this year, the spotlight isn’t just on steins of traditional beer — it’s on a rapidly growing trend: non-alcoholic Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers. With more breweries than ever joining the movement, 2025’s lineup is the most exciting yet.
Whether you’re looking for health benefits, cutting back on alcohol, or simply craving that fall flavor in a guilt-free brew, this guide will help you navigate the best non-alcoholic beers of the season.
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 2025
F*k’in Pum’kin by Go Brewing
Go Brewing introduces F*k’in Pum’kin, a bold seasonal release. Crafted as a special thank-you to loyal fans, this non-alcoholic brew skips the gimmicks and goes straight for what matters—rich, fresh flavor.
Brewed with real pumpkin purée and a warming blend of fall spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, and ginger, it’s designed to capture the essence of autumn in every sip.
With a smooth, spiced character and just 113 calories per serving, this limited-edition beer balances warmth and drinkability without the buzz.
Made from water, malted barley, pumpkin purée, lactose, and a carefully curated spice blend, F*k’in Pum’kin is a celebration of fall done right—cozy, flavorful, and made for those who expect more from their non-alcoholic beer.
Grab a can or two in your custom NA beer variety pack here.
Oktoberfest Dunkel by Athletic Brewing
Oktoberfest Dunkel from Athletic Brewing is a limited-edition pilot brew that embraces the cozy flavors of autumn with a nod to traditional Dunkelweizen style. Brewed on a wheat-forward base and layered with roasted barley, it pours a deep brown with a soft tan head.
The flavor profile blends caramel sweetness, gentle spice, and subtle banana notes, all rounded by a smooth malt character and finished with a dry, balanced touch. Crafted with old-world inspiration, it’s designed for cooler days and slower moments, making it a seasonal release worth savoring while it lasts.
Each 12 oz serving contains 80 calories, 17 g of carbohydrates, and no protein or fat. With 15 IBU and less than 0.5% ABV, it delivers rich, complex character in a light, approachable non-alcoholic brew.
Grab a can or two in your custom NA beer variety pack here.
Fest by Woodland Farms
Fest by Woodland Farms Brewery is a non-alcoholic beer crafted with precision as part of the brewery’s new “Lager-Like” series.
Designed to capture the essence of a traditional fall lager, Fest features rich Munich malts that deliver warm bread and biscuit notes, complemented by lively carbonation and a clean, crisp finish.
It’s a seasonal favorite for those seeking the full-bodied character of a fall beer without the alcohol. Brewed by Maine’s first dedicated non-alcoholic brewery, Fest is available in limited quantities and comes in 16oz cans.
Grab a can or two in your custom NA beer variety pack here.
Damn Good Oktoberfest by Go Brewing
Damn Good Oktoberfest by Go Brewing captures the spirit of traditional Märzen-style beer in a non-alcoholic format. Brewed in Naperville, Illinois, this deep amber lager delivers a rich, full-bodied flavor profile, featuring smooth caramel malt undertones and a balanced, clean finish. With less than 0.5% ABV, it’s crafted to bring the festive essence of Oktoberfest without the alcohol.
The brewing process begins with high-quality barley malt, aromatic hops, and carefully selected yeast. Grains are milled and mashed to extract fermentable sugars, forming a sweet, malty foundation.
This wort is then boiled with hops to add a touch of bitterness and depth. After fermentation—where most of the alcohol would typically develop—the beer undergoes a specialized process to keep the ABV below 0.5%, maintaining all the flavor while keeping it alcohol-free.
Finally, the brew is cold-aged to mellow and refine its character, resulting in a non-alcoholic beer that’s true to the Märzen tradition and ideal for autumn celebrations.
Grab a can or two in your custom NA beer variety pack here.
Fest Brew by Athletic Brewing Company
Drawing its inspiration from traditional Bavarian Festbiers, Athletic Brewing’s Fest Brew 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.
Oktoberfest by Untitled Art
Oktoberfest by Untitled Art offers a non-alcoholic twist on the classic German festbier, perfect for celebrating the fall season without the booze. Brewed with a blend of rich caramel and Vienna malts, it delivers a malty backbone with a smooth, full-bodied character.
Cascade hops add a refreshing crispness to the finish, balancing the malt sweetness and rounding out the flavor. With an ABV of less than 0.5%, it’s a great choice for those looking to enjoy Oktoberfest traditions while staying alcohol-free. Each serving contains 75 calories, 15 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of sugar.
Grab a can or two in your custom NA beer variety pack here.
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 the curtains fall on our exploration of the best non-alcoholic Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers for the autumn of 2025, 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.
Looking for something super unique? Check out our 2025 NA Beer Advent Calendar, which is available for preorder now! 24 days of incredible non-alcoholic brews of all styles.
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!
