Welcome to the season of Oktoberfests, Fresh Hopped IPAs and Pumpkin beers. The Fall season is always an exciting return to darker and richer brews after a summer of lighter offerings. Yet before we get overwhelmed by the big, heavy beers of the Winter, it’s the perfect time to get lost in all those Pumpkin Ales. Last week we reveled in what the style is and some of the best available, yet there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, so we’re not done with the style just yet. You’d be silly not to try these beers before they’re gone for another year.

Avery Brewing, Rumpkin (Boulder, CO) – getting its own special release party every September, Rumpkin also happens to be Avery’s first in their Annual Barrel-Aged Series. It’s brewed with roasted pumpkins from a local farm and spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. What really sets this delicious beast apart is the six months it’s aged in dark rum barrels, offering oak and candied molasses highlights. 15 to 18% ABV

Dogfish Head Brewery, Punkin Ale (Milton, DE) – one of the oldest pumpkin beers in the country, Dogfish Head started brewing this baby before they were officially a brewery in 1994. What we love about this beer is the subtle spicing, lighter pumpkin and brown sugar flavoring. While it’s weighs in at 7%ABV, it’s much easier to drink than many within the style.

Elysian Brewing, Punkuccino (Seattle, WA) – if anyone can tout their pumpkin brewing chops, it’s Elysian. With this newer release, they’ve amped up the flavor while keeping the ABV at 5%. As you may have guessed, this one features coffee from Portland’s Stumptown Roasters plus just enough cinnamon and nutmeg spicing to give it a rich, yet light, pumpkin bread flavor.

Lakefront Brewery, 25^th Anniversary Imperial Pumpkin (Milwaukee, WI) – have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? You might just do it after digging into this unique brandy barrel-aged imperial pumpkin lager. Yes, it’s a lager, touting a big caramel malt base, then a barrage of flavors including cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, oak and the aforementioned brandy. An excellent dessert brew, 8% ABV.

Southern Tier Brewing, Imperial Pumking (Lakewood, NY) – last but not least, this big pumpkin pie flavored offering has become a bellwether of how far you want to go in your pumpkin beer devotion. Many love this hugely spiced, plenty sweet and even crust flavored pumpkin lovers delight. While it provides all the flavor you could ever want from a pumpkin beer, the lack of “beer flavor” may not be everyone’s cup of pumpkin pie. 8.6% ABV.