Seven Michigan Beers for Fall

With colorful leaves and cool temps, there's no question that fall is here. What better way to celebrate the season than with seasonal beer? When it comes to autumn beers, Oktoberfests and Marzens have their place. But in a state with tons of breweries, pumpkin beers are popular and plentiful. Michigan brewers offer pumpkin-themed beers that run the gamut from those actually made with the squash, to those that allude to pumpkin pie, using the typical spices found therein: ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Get ready for football tailgates and sweater-weather with these seven pumpkin brews, and perhaps taste test them side by side to really notice the variations in pumpkin-inspired flavors.

Ichabod (New Holland Brewing): Made with real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, this pumpkin ale seriously tastes like a less sweet version of Starbucks #PSL. Don't be frightened by the headless horseman holding a decapitated jack-o-lantern or the evil red eyes of his horse on the label. What's inside is a ridiculously pumpkiny smooth-tasting brew. 66 E 8th St, Holland; website.

La Parcela #1 Pumpkin Ale (Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales): The brewery is called Jolly Pumpkin for goodness sake. This seasonal release is made with pumpkin, spices and a bit of cacao "to liven the soul." Definitely less sweet and pumpkin-y, more sour and spicy. website. Traverse City, Ann Arbor, Dexter; website.

Jaw-Jacker (Arcadia Brewing Company): No actual pumpkin, but cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg to induce that pumpkin-pie-season nostalgia. First sip is completely autumn in a bottle - tons of cinnamon flavor. Stands to reason that pumpkin beers have a sort of Halloween theme happening on the labels - this one features a menacing pumpkin with bloody teeth under a harvest moon. Kalamazoo and Battle Creek; website.

Pumpkin Chai (Saugatuck Brewing Company): As the name implies, this beer is brewed with pumpkin and herbal chai tea. The tea lends a bit of bitterness and a dry finish. 2948 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas; website.

Pumpkin Ale (Motor City Brewing Works): Full bodied and amber-colored, this 9.2% ABV Belgian-style ale is made with Detroit-grown pumpkins and pumpkin spices. Spicy and warming. 470 W Canfield St, Detroit; website.

Screamin' - Pumpkin Ale (Griffin Claw Brewing Company): Light and refreshing, a very tailgate-drinkable beer. Brewed with roasted pumpkin, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Smooth and not bitter. 575 S Eton St, Birmingham; website.

Hooligan Hoppy Pumpkin Ale (North Peak Brewing Company): Aptly named, this brew is incredibly hoppy, dry and spicy. 400 W Front St, Traverse City; website.

Have another Michigan pumpkin favorite that we missed? Let us know in the comments.