lifestyles
The air may not have a chill, but the craft beer scene flourishes more than ever during the fall season. From stouts to German-style beers, local breweries are preparing to pour you a taste of the season. Whether you’re a Central Florida local or just visiting, these breweries offer autumn flavors, seasonal release, and brewery events.
Here’s a guide to get started on your seasonal beer-hoping adventure.
Central Florida Breweries
Located in Plant Street Market in Winter Garden, Crooked Can offers a blend of various drinks and a family-friendly atmosphere. Additionally, their location creates a space where people can enjoy a wide variety of food options—from bratwurst to baked goods—with their brews, completing the fall festive experience.
Fall Flavors:
- “Bürgermeister” Märzen: A traditional German-style Marzen with a rich malt flavor from Munich and Vienna malts. This beer is a classic example of Oktoberfest style.
- Axum Coffee Chocolate Stout: This coffee chocolate stout is a great fit for the fall season, offering a rich and creamy profile with roasted coffee and chocolate notes.
Located in the historic Ivanhoe Ville, this community-focused brewery offers a mix of classic styles and bold seasonal brews. For fall, expect rich amber, spiced ales, and creative one-offs inspired by the changing season.
Fall Flavors:
- “Half-Toberfest” Vienna Lager: A classic Oktoberfest-style beer with toasty caramel notes and a smooth malt profile. This is an award-winning beer that’s a staple of their seasonal lineup.
- “Never Too Late” Pumpkin Ale: A popular drink with a deep orange color and a flavor profile that includes pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, offering a blend of malty sweetness and gentle spice.
Nestled in the Milk District of downtown Orlando, is a must-visit for fall beer enthusiasts. This family-owned brewery is celebrated for its on-site kitchen serving up delicious food alongside a constantly rotating tap list, often featuring unique stouts and lagers perfect for the season. Fall Flavors:
- Friends & Enemies: This is a coffee milk stout with cocoa nibs and vanilla that may be nice on a cold evening.
- Sausage Fingers: A Märzen-style beer that is also a traditional German brew.
- Nocturnal Liar: An imperial stout brewed with coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla making it a bold flavor.
Look out for their weekend long “Sidetoberfest” on September 21.
RockPit Brewing is a quintessential neighborhood brewery in Orlando’s SoDo district, known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. It stands out for its rotating tap list that often features a variety of beers perfect for the autumn season, such as rich stouts and smooth amber ales. The brewery also has a full-service kitchen serving up tasty food to pair with their brews.
Fall Flavors:
- Unwrap This – Chocolate Orange: A Russian Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with Twelve Talons, this beer smells and tastes like a chocolate orange.
- Kumpel Märzen: This Märzen is another classic Oktoberfest style drink.
- Blackstrap Con Leche: A signature coffee milk stout with roasted coffee and a creamy finish, which is a year-round option that feels right at home in the fall.
For the fall season, they go all out with their annual “Alt-Rockpitoberfest”, on October 11, 2025, that blends Oktoberfest traditions with a touch of Halloween.
Hourglass Brewing has two locations, one in Longwood and another in Orlando’s Hourglass District, both known for their wide variety of meticulously crafted beers. Their extensive and rotating tap list makes them a good place for discovering unique brews, including seasonal stouts and brown ales that are perfect for a cool autumn evening. The brewery also stands out for its creative and often geek-themed events, making it a fun and welcoming space to enjoy a pint.
Fall Flavors:
- “Smol Hallows” Pumpkin Ale: A pumpkin ale made with real pumpkin.
- “Eola Coffee Brown” Brown Ale on Nitro: A brown ale brewed with coffee, served on nitro for a creamy mouthfeel that is a cozy, roasted option for fall.
- “Prepare For Trouble” Belgian Dubbel: This is a malt-forward, dark ale with notes of caramel, dark fruit, and spice making it a rich, complex profile.
They are celebrating their “Sidetoberfest” on September 20 and 21.
Dead Lizard Brewing Company, a small and welcoming brewery, is a great spot to enjoy a beer on their spacious dog-friendly patio. While they are known for their year-round beers with unique names, they also release seasonal brews that are perfect for autumn. They often host fall and Halloween related events.
Fall Flavors:
- “Komodo ‘Koko’ Dragon Stout”: An American Stout with a high ABV, perfect for those who want a heavier, flavorful beer to sip on.
- “Gila Monster Chocolate Coffee Stout”: This imperial stout has chocolate and coffee flavors.
- “Salted Caramel XXX Stout”: This stout has a salted caramel flavor that is both sweet and malty, a great seasonal dessert beer.
Dead Lizard will be a vendor at Orlando’s Beer Festival on November 15.
Wop’s Hops Brewing is a cozy brewery in the historic downtown of Sanford, popular for its relaxed atmosphere and dog-friendly patio. For the fall season, they brew special autumnal beers that often include seasonal ingredients and flavors. While they don’t have a large-scale Oktoberfest event, they focus on providing an environment for citizens to enjoy their fall-themed beers and food from their kitchen.
Fall Flavors:
- “Woptoberfest” Märzen: Another traditional Oktoberfest beer.
- “English Toffee Ale”: A Scottish Export ale with a flavor profile that includes notes of toffee.
- “Sweet Potato Ale”: A seasonal amber ale that is a must-try for those who enjoy spiced and savory flavors of autumn.
Deviant Wolfe Brewing can be found in historic downtown Sanford. The brewery, with its taproom, is an ideal place for a fall hangout. Their tap list features fall-friendly styles, from clean German lagers to unique sours, reflecting their passion for balancing tradition with innovation.
Fall Flavors:
- “Oktoberfest” Märzen: Like many breweries, Deviant Wolfe brews its own classic, malty Märzen-style lager for the fall season.
- “Exterior Illumination” Dark Lager: This German dark lager is brewed with Munich and Vienna malts, giving it a rich aroma with notes of raisin and dark fruit. It’s a gold medal winner and an excellent choice for a cool fall evening.
They celebrate the season with their annual “Deviant’s 4th Annual Oktoberfest” on September 20, 2025.
Persimmon Hollow Brewing, with its main location in historic downtown DeLand and a taproom in the Eola Heights district of Orlando, is a spot for enjoying the fall season. They have amenities like board games, a pool table, and darts, making it a great gathering spot for friends and family. Their focus on a diverse and well-crafted beer selection ensures there’s always a new style to discover.
Fall Flavors:
- Beach Hippie IPA: A citrusy and floral IPA that’s popular year-round.
- Spiced Harvest Ale: A smooth ale brewed with allspice, clove, and cinnamon—like fall in a glass.
Fall Beer Festivals & Events
This is one of the largest beer festivals in Central Florida, featuring hundreds of beers, ciders, seltzers, and spirits. The 10th Annual Orlando Beer Festival is scheduled for November 15, 2025, at Festival Park. In addition to the drinks, there’s a spacious interactive game zone with carnival games and giant beer pong, live music from DJ ET, Beemo, and Cat Ridgeway Music, and a Jumbotron streaming college football games all day. The event is 21+ only and is dog-friendly.
This annual event brings a traditional German festival to Downtown Avalon Park. The festival is on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, 2025. Friday is the “Beer Garden Preview” with an adult beer garden, polka band, traditional Alpine dancing by Schuhplatter Gruppe Alpenrose, food trucks, kids area and bounce park. Saturday features multiple Dachshund races with a new contest for all breeds, in addition to the same festivities as Friday. The events take place from 5-10 PM on both days.
German American Society of Central Florida Oktoberfest:
The German American Society of Central Florida has been hosting this celebration for over 60 years at their clubhouse in Casselberry. The dates are Saturday, October 4, and Saturday, October 25, from 12 PM to 9 PM on both days. This event is known for its genuine Bavarian atmosphere, complete with live traditional music, dancing, and plenty of German food and beer. You’ll find a wide selection of imported German and domestic brews, classic dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel, and a keg tapping ceremony. It’s a true community celebration with a parade of flags, a raffle, and a family-friendly “Kids’ Korner” with a bounce house and face painting.
A three-day celebration of authentic German culture, this festival features German beer, food, music, and various contests. It’s a great option for a classic Oktoberfest experience and is scheduled for September 25-27, 2025. You can expect authentic German entertainment, including performances by the Orlando Trachtenverein Dancers and the Kings Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band. Admission is free, with food and beverages available for purchase.
Clermont Sips & Salsa Festival:
If you’re looking for a different kind of fall event, this festival on September 20, 2025, combines cultural cuisine and dancing. While not strictly a beer festival, it’s a great way to enjoy the fall weather with a fun, festive atmosphere. The festival is free and family-friendly. It features live salsa music and dancing, a dog costume contest, a Domino tournament, and a kids’ zone.
From the festive atmosphere of local Oktoberfests to the unique seasonal brews like pumpkin ales and harvest warmers, there are plenty of options for every palate. So, grab your friends, find a cozy beer garden, and savor the flavors of the season. Cheers to a fall filled with great beer, good company, and unforgettable Central Florida moments.
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