Among the quintessential autumn beverages, few offerings define the season as distinctly as a Samuel Adams classic. And, of course, that includes the renowned Octoberfest brew. The charm lies in its simplicity—almost like a regular beer with a subtle, luxurious hint of autumn essence.
For this year’s autumn celebrations, Samuel Adams is expanding its fall lineup with two fresh brews. The Apple Spice Ale introduces notes of apple, cinnamon, and gingersnap to celebrate all those classic autumn flavors. And a much-anticipated addition arrives with the introduction of the non-alcoholic version of the iconic Octoberfest. With developments like these, we were curious to see what they bring to the table. When Samuel Adams sent a sample our way, there was nothing to stop us from sharing the full scoop on these new releases.
Our Take on the New Fall Releases
Non-Alcoholic Octoberfest — The original Octoberfest sets a high bar for its NA sibling. Naturally, crafting a non-alcoholic replica of such a beloved beer is a tricky venture, given how finicky it can be to produce NA beer that actually tastes good to begin with. It’s clear the brewer gave it their best shot. Yet with a beer that is so distinctly bold and beer-forward, the NA version falls a bit short.
From the first sip, the NA version reads as decidedly savory, but not in the typical wheat-forward way; it carries a mushroom- and soy-sauce-like backdrop. This underscores how some brews translate more readily into non-alcoholic form, while darker, malt-forward profiles may struggle to maintain their essence without the alcohol. As a result, additional effort is often needed to mimic the originals.
It isn’t that the drink is outright bad, but the savoriness overwhelms the finish, making it hard to enjoy down to the last drop. For an Octoberfest experience, you might be better off opting for a non-alcoholic cider to maximize your festive enjoyment and minimize potential disappointment.
Apple Spice Ale — This beer marks a welcome shift toward a more approachable flavor profile. The apple and spice notes come across as somewhat artificial, yet the beer’s base is genuinely pleasing. The apple-spice profile is unmistakable and prominent. It’s not like a wine or beer that carries “notes” of various flavors that you can’t quite identify; the flavors are upfront and clear.
The autumn flavors are present—bold and confident. It’s a beer I could see myself picking up again when I’m fully into the autumn mood, but if artificial apple flavors bother you at all, you might be better off sticking to one of Samuel Adams’ more traditional fall brews.
