6 of the best Autumn craft beers to welcome in the darker nights

The nights are getting longer and the days colder, we must be heading for autumn, here are some of the best craft beers to make the most of the season.

Published 18th Sep 2017
Updated 20 th Sep 2023

Tired of light ales and sours? Well with autumn arriving, it's the perfect time to try something a little more robust.

(No pumpkins were hurt in the making of this article.)

Black Aye PA 

(Brewed by Alechemy, style: Black IPA)

Craft beers

Picture: Alechemy

The darker cousin to a traditional IPA, Alechemy's Black IPA is a beast with a dark colouring that gives a clue to its rich flavour of roast and chocolate malts.

Don't be fooled by the colour its dangerously drinkable with plenty of zest and a dry finish.

READ MORE: 12 of the best Scottish craft beers (as chosen by the experts)

Harvest IPA - 2017 edition

(Brewed by Tempest Brew Co., style: Belgian IPA)

Craft beer autumn

Picture: Tempest

The ever popular hybrid beer is back, this year, the Tempest team have brewed it using Ekuanot hops from North America which give it a tangy tropical and papaya aroma, with plenty of citrus punch to tackle and complement the earthier flavours of the  Saison yeast.

It's described as being the perfect beer to transition "from the fresh, fruity flavours of Summer into darker days and colder nights in Autumn".

Careful though, at nearly 7% it packs a heavy punch in its velvet glove.

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Seasons - Summer

(Brewed in collaboration by Tempest, Cromarty, Pilot and Fallen breweries, style: Saison)

Picture: Cromarty

How about one last salute to summer before we plunge head long into the journey for winter?

The perfect tender parting embrace comes from the Seasons collab from some of Scotland's top brewers, and as we wait for the autumn release, Summer, a saison made using Meadowsweet, Elderflower and Sorachi hops, is the perfect goodbye to what's been for the most part, a dreich summer.

Dragonfly

(Brewed by Fallen, style: Amber Ale)

Picture: Fallen

It wouldn't be an autumnal beer list without at least one Amber Ale, and in Dragonfly, Fallen's red tinged regular, you have a great beer that's perfect segue between the lighter styles of summer and the darker richer styles of the later seasons.

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With warm caramel flavours and hints of citrus, its perfect for enjoying on these longer, darker nights.

Oktoberfest beer

(Brewed by Stewart Brewing, style: Lager)

Picture: Stewart Brewing

It is that time of year.

Stewart's full bodied, malty Marzen style lager has been brewed by their German brewer Johannes, and is the perfect ode to the world's most famous beer festival.

Launched at their Oktobeerfest 2017, Stewart's Oktoberfest beer has proved massively popular since its launch and apparently tastes great with Bratwurst.

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Rigor Portis

(Brewed by Dead End Brew Machine, style: Smoked Porter)

Picture: Dead End Brew Machine Facebook

Porters can obviously be enjoyed all year round, but there's something immensely satisfying about cracking one open on a cold night.

This 6.9% monster is made by Glasgow's up-and-coming Dead End Brew Machine and features an embarrassment of riches when it comes to flavour.

Chocolate, coffee and hits of smoke all battle it out on your tongue and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable drinking experience.

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Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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