Fall Beer Guide 2018: Special Releases From Puget Sound Brewers

SEATTLE, WA - Autumn is (officially) here, and that means that local brewers are rolling out fall-style beers - whether it's a pumpkin beer, fresh hop, or something Oktoberfest-adjacent. If you're on the hunt for special beer releases this fall, check out these brews from some of the region's best breweries.

If you're a brewer with a fall release you want included here, email neal.mcnamara@patch.com with a short description and photos, if available. The descriptions below were provided by the brewers.

Ghostfish Brewing Company (Seattle)

Lunar Harvest Pumpkin Ale (ABV: 9.0% / IBU: 18)
Brewed in the Belgian Abbey Tripel style and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, this fall treat has a crisp malt flavor and subtle bitterness from the Mt. Hood and Cascade hops

E9 (Tacoma)

Spike's Harvest Ale
Fresh hop (Tacoma grown) ale that one of our long-time regulars, Spike, grows in his backyard.

Larry's Kolsch
Fresh hop (Tacoma grown) kolsch that one of our long time regulars, Larry, grows in his backyard.

Hellbent (Seattle)

Amarillo Fresh Hop IPA
For this wonderful batch of greatness we would like to thank Virgil Gamache Farms located in Toppenish, WA. Head Brewer/ Owner Brian Young visited the farm earlier this month and picked up some fresh Amarillo hops which will give the beer an "aroma that is described as flowery, spicy and citrus-like with a distinct orange bouquet." Release date is Sept. 19.

Meridian Fresh Hop IPA
We would like to thank Coleman Agriculture for the beautiful selection of fresh Meridian hops. Coleman Agriculture is a 6th generation family owned and operated farm with headquarters just south of the small Western Oregon community of St. Paul. Release date is Sept. 25.

Oktoberfest Hellbent Oktoberfest ( 5.5 % ABV 20 IBU)
A traditional Märzen-style lager brewed with Vienna and Munich malts. A step-infused mash highlights the malty character, and Mt. Hood hops add a noble hop flavor and aroma. This beer was lagered for 3.5 weeks to give it a smooth and refined flavor.

Lucky Envelope (Seattle)

Oktoberfest Vienna Lager (5.1% ABV, 23 IBU)
Our traditional amber lager pours a gorgeous ruby-red color, greeting you with notes of lightly sweet malt and toasted bread, finishing with a clean bitterness and a hint of chocolate. The Vienna Lager will be available at our tasting room Sept. 15.

Rauchbier (5.2% ABV, 21 IBU)
Inspired by old world smoked beers originating in Bamberg, Bavaria - our Rauchbier is a traditional German lager brewed with a blend of beechwood-smoked rauchmalt, pilsner, and munich malts. Rauchmalt yields complex, but not overpowering, sweet and savory flavors of bonfire and smoked meat. The Rauchbier will also be available at our tasting room Sept. 15.

Lazy Boy (Everett)

Oktoberfest and fresh hop beers both are available now in the taproom.

Georgetown Brewing (Seattle)

Barbarella Pumpkin Saison; Fresh Hop Lucille; Fresh Hop Johnny Utah.

Pike Brewing Co. (Seattle)

Observation Deck with an Exclusive Fresh Hop IPA
Last Tuesday, Pike is brewed a special batch of Pike Space Needle IPA featuring Cascade and Centennial fresh hops from Chelan Valley Hops, the only commercial hop farm with irrigation rights to the glacial waters of Lake Chelan. This limited-edition fresh hop Space Needle IPA will be available exclusively on draft at Pike Brewing Company’s The Pike Pub and Tankard & Tun, and atop the Space Needle itself. The Space Needle’s ongoing $100 million renovation includes a beautiful new observation deck featuring glass floors which is now open, providing visitors with sweeping views of the city and the chance to enjoy a Pike beer 500-feet in the sky! Look for this beer to hit draft lines the last week of September.

Pike Wolf in the Woods IPA
We headed to Yakima Valley to collect fresh Citra hops from Perrault Farms for Pike’s second fresh hop IPA of the season: Pike Wolf in the Woods. With both fresh hop beers, Pike collects the farm fresh hops and brews the same day, insuring quality, freshness, and optimal aroma on the final product. Look for Pike Wolf in the Woods to begin pouring on draft the last week of September at The Pike Pub, Tankard & Tun, and throughout Washington state.

Baby Douglas Gets An IPA
Owner and VP of Operations Drew Gillespie is a new dad! Pike is excited to welcome baby Douglas into the family, and to celebrate we’re brewing a special beer. Pike Douglas IPA was inspired by a love of fall family gatherings, Seattle sports, and all things Cascadia. Expect a modernized take on the resin-forward West Coast IPA: Pilsner malt base paired with whole leaf Cascade and dry hopping done with Loral Cryo Hops to create a light mouthfeel with fresh pine notes. Available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles, Pike Douglas IPA hits drafts and shelves the first week of October!

Old Stove (Seattle)

Oktoberfest Märzen
Available around the week of Sept. 23. We will have a special going for it, where customers can purchase the beer in a Oktoberfest stein they can take home (without beer in it).

Dexter Brewhouse (Seattle)

Pumpkin Spice Vice (6.5% ABV 10 IBU)
Brewed with Vienna malt, 2-row malt, brumalt, carapils, pale chocolate malt, pumpkins, pumpkin pie spices, lactose sugar and ale yeast. ‘Bright orange with heavy notes of pumpkin pie and a creamy off dry finish. A nod to the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Lowercase (Seattle)

sQUASH (5.1% ABV)
A non-traditional spin on the normal gourd inspired beer of the season. Who ever said pumpkins should get all the love? For our fall seasonal we created a fabulous brew from the butternut squash. “Pumpkiny” tasting in its own right, this brown ale pairs the vegetal flavor of fresh squash with whole spices, Skagit Valley grown Copeland malt, toasted malts and Mt. Hood hops to make a wonderfully delicious fall treat.

Photos courtesy Ghostfish, Lowercase