With a spacious interior, cutting-edge technology, and top-tier safety features, the Blazer is built for those who live life to the fullest.
Ichabod pumpkin ale from New Holland Brewing. Photo courtesy of New Holland Brewing.
Now that we are nearing September where the weather usually starts to cool down, Michiganders have a few things on their mind: cider mills, pumpkin patches, Halloween costumes, haunted houses and maybe their favorite fall brew. With so many wonderful breweries in Michigan, you’re bound to find one that suits your fancy this time of year.
Atwater Brewery
Pumpkin Spice Latte beer from Atwater Brewery. Photo courtesy of Atwater Brewery.
This Detroit-based brewery is ringing in the fall season with two brews that are ripe for the season. Bloktoberfest is a German-style Märzen with a deep amber color. It’s nutty in flavor, slightly sweet and has a hoppy finish. Embracing the flavors of our time, Atwater also has a Pumpkin Spice Latte beer that is made with Munich Dark malt for a walnut flavor, honey malt and Melanoidin malt. All of this combines to form a brew that is sweet with just a hint of bitterness courtesy of coffee extracts.
Bell’s Brewery
Arguably Michigan’s most popular beer brand, Bell’s is most known for its year-round Two-Hearted Ale and summertime Oberon. Ringing in a Michigan fall, Bell’s first brings out its Octoberfest beer in August and then its Best Brown Ale in September. The former is a session beer that ferments for six weeks and tastes of lightly toasted malt. The latter is a blend of cocoa and caramel flavors that fits neatly between a light-bodied beer and malty stout.
New Holland Brewing
Located on the west side of Michigan, New Holland Brewing’s flagship seasonal fall beer, Ichabod, will be available this fall for a limited time. This pumpkin ale is made from malted barley, real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Fans look forward to its release as it signals the beginning of cooler temps, haunted houses, cider mills and more.
Dragonmead Microbrewery
A mug of Oktoberfest Märzen from Dragonmead Brewery in Warren. Photo courtesy of Dragonmead.
This Warren-based microbrewery is home to fan-favorites like the Trippel ale Final Absolution. However, they also make their own take on the German-style lager called Oktoberfest Märzen. It goes on sale in mid-September and is made with imported German Vienna and Munich malts and German Hallertauer hops. It has a big malt flavor that is slightly sweet.
Roak Brewing Co.
Roak Brewing’s caramel apple sour ale, Watusi Moonshoot, replicates the flavor of the popular cider mill treat for a finish that is sweet and tart. Four-packs of 16 oz. cans are available at Roak Brewing in Royal Oak. Order ahead and pick them up curbside or stop into the taproom.
Watusi Moonshot caramel apple sour ale from Roak Brewing Co. Photo courtesy of Roak Brewing Co.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
With a name like Jolly Pumpkin, it’s no surprise that this brewery makes an ale brewed with pumpkin, spices and cacao. Yes, they use real pumpkins to produce a 5.9% brew that instantly reminds the drinker of cooler weather, multicolor forests and Halloween night. Jolly Pumpkin also makes a sour ale called Autumn Fire that tastes of chestnuts, anise, ginger and cinnamon. It’s a beer that starts strong and a little spicy but finishes with a tart, sour taste.
Short’s Brewing Co.
This Bellaire-based brewery is mixing up two brews for the fall season. Mule Beer is, as you’d expect, a Moscow Mule flavored beer that is malty, creamy and tastes of ginger and lime. IPA fans will want to try Sticky Icky Icky, “a radiantly dank, clear, copper-colored American India Pale Ale.” It’s a bittersweet beer thanks to sweet malt and fruity hops.
—
Remember to drink responsibly and plan ahead with a designated driver or take advantage of one of these local designated driving services.
