Autumn is upon us here in Massachusetts, and with the crisp air and changing leaves comes delicious seasonal Massachusetts craft beer. No matter if you prefer pumpkin beer, sours, Märzan-style fest beer, or seasonal copper or brown ales, Massachusetts craft breweries offer something for every taste and style this fall.

I’m a big fan of drinking local. While I love to visit brewery taprooms (an activity that fills many a weekend!), I’ve also been happy to see wider distribution of many local Massachusetts craft beers around the state. Some beer distributors, like Hopster’s Alley (which you can find in the Boston Public Market) and the Craft Beer Cellar (various locations throughout Boston and New England), specialize in local craft beers, though I’ve also been able to find many of the selections below in my local liquor store as well.

A selection of Massachusetts craft beer at Hopster’s Alley in the Boston Public Market.

Read on for our recommendations for some of our favorite Massachusetts fall beers to try this season, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Massachusetts Fall Craft Beers: Amber Ales

Copper Legend, Jack’s Abby

With a toasty amber hue, Copper Legend is a great fall beer. Overall clean and crisp, it hits you with the flavor of toasted grains, followed by light undertones of floral hops. You can even pick up a small hint of toffee or caramel, giving it a very subtle sweetness. With a 5.7% ABV, it’s a very drinkable beer that will keep you coming back for more. Copper Legend is currently on tap at the Jack’s Abby Beer Hall & Kitchen in Framingham, and is also available in cans at distributors around Massachusetts.

Fire Barrel Red IPA, Bent Water Brewing Co.

This hoppy red ale is “brewed to match the fiery splendor of autumn in New England,” and it pretty much hits the nail on the head. A nice amber-red color (much darker in color than your traditional IPA), the beer is well carbonated and pours clear. A typical hoppy IPA with a 5.6% ABV, the overall flavor is nutty with subtle hints of spice and slight bitter aftertaste. A perfect autumn beer – especially for those who like IPAs – Fire Barrel is available at Bent Water’s taproom in Lynn, as well as in cans from distributors around Massachusetts.

Flannel Friday, Harpoon

I’ll admit it – I love the label on this beer! There is just something so inviting about cozying up in a warm flannel and enjoying a cold beer. But luckily, the appeal of this beer goes beyond the name and label – as it’s a delicious fall brew that you should check out. With 5.7% ABV, Flannel Friday is a hoppy amber ale brewed with hints of citrus and pine. Amber in color, the beer is well balanced and offers loads of flavor. Available at Harpoon’s brewery in Boston’s Seaport, Flannel Friday is also available in bottles and cans at distributors around New England.

Massachusetts Fall Craft Beers: Brown Ales

Hometown Brown Ale, Mayflower Brewing Company

Mayflower’s fall seasonal beer, the Hometown Brown Ale is a nice addition to the brewery’s regular lineup. Mayflower notes that the ale is brewed with six varieties of malted barley. It’s a dark mahogany in color (not quite the hue of a porter, but close). At first sip you can smell the toasted malt, and will get notes of chocolate, toffee and molasses. Medium-bodied, it has light carbonation and is very drinkable with a 5% ABV. Available at the Mayflower Brewing Company taproom in Plymouth, it is also available in cans at distributors throughout New England.

Massachusetts Fall Craft Beers: Märzen or Octoberfest Beers

Festbier, Castle Island Brewing Co.

Couldn’t make it to Munich this year? Not to worry – Castle Island Brewing Co is offering their Märzan-inspired Festbier at both their taproom in Norwood and at their outdoor beer garden at Constitution Wharf in Charlestown. With a 4.6% ABV, it’s a very drinkable beer with a nice light amber hue. With hints of floral hops, the more prominent flavor is nice and nutty, coming from the malt. This ale is sure to please any palate.

Harvest, Cape Cod Beer

Cape Cod Beer’s Harvest seasonal ale is a German-style ale similar to a traditional Octoberfest beer. Golden amber in color with a 5% ABV, this beer is fairly mild. Its nice earthiness and relatively low carbonation make for easy drinking. A bit of sweetness from the malt comes through, with little to no aftertaste. Available at the Cape Cod Beer Brewery in Hyannis, it is also sold by distributors on Cape Cod and around Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Fall Craft Beers: Pumpkin Ales

Pumple Drumkin, Cisco Brewers

A seasonal favorite from the Nantucket brewery, Pumple Drumkin offers notes of cinnamon, toffee and spice. Orange in color with a 6% ABV, the spiced ale is reminiscent of pumpkin pie, yet finishes clean. Whether served with a cinnamon-sugar rim, or straight of out the can, this beer is perfect for crisp autumn days. Pumple Drumkin is available at Cisco Brewers on Nantucket, as well as in cans from distributors around New England.

The Great Pumpkin Ale, Cambridge Brewing Co.

The Great Pumpkin Ale is a beer I love getting it on tap at the CBC taproom in Kendall Square. The brewery uses more than 150 pounds of fresh, local sugar pumpkins to brew this beer. The burnt-orange colored ale has notes of autumn spices including cinnamon and nutmeg, with a hint of molasses. Medium-bodied with a 5.5% ABV, it’s more malty than hoppy, and finishes with a touch of spice. Get it at the taproom in Kendall Square, or in cans from local distributors.

Massachusetts Fall Craft Beers: Sours

Mainer Weisse, Night Shift Brewing

Sour beers have been all the rage this summer here in Massachusetts, but Night Shift, based in Everett, introduced their Mainer Weisse as a seasonal fall beer. The mixed fermentation sour ale is aged with blueberries and cinnamon sticks. Inspired by memories of Maine blueberry pie in the fall, the undertones of both blueberry and cinnamon are light.

A nice crimson color, the sour offers a nice tang but not too much pucker. Relatively low in alcohol at 4.5% ABV, it’s a very drinkable beer. Available in cans for the first time this year (it was previously only distributed in bottles), the Mainer Weisse is currently available at the taproom in Everett, or in cans from various distributors around New England.

*Note: All seasonal beers included were available at their respective breweries at the time of publishing. Travel Like a Local: MA cannot guarantee that these beers will continue to be available after the date of publication.