Seasonal Return

Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 8

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is back for its eighth year, a brew that took a bit of a “travel curve” before the Avondale Estates, Georgia, brewery perfected it.

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a creative Continue Reading →

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is back for a 4th year

Three Taverns Pilsnen Liberation, a collaboration with Pilsner Urquell has been re-released.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation has been re-released, a hoppy pilsner crafted in collaboration with Pilsner Urquell’s experimental brewery, Elektrarna. This beer is an annual tribute to the 1945 liberation Continue Reading →

Southern Tier Pumking makes its mid-July return

Southern Tier Pumking is usually the first pumpkin beer to hit shelves, typically right after Independence Day. You typically see it on shelves alongside the brewery’s pumpkin stout, Warlock. Pumking is one of the boldest (and highly debated) pumpkin beers across Continue Reading →

Posted in NoDa Brewing, Seasonal Return

NoDa Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale gold medal winner returns

NoDa Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale has made another seasonal appearance. This North Carolina brewed pumpkin ale touts 100+ pounds of organic sugar and caramelized brown sugar, freshly cracked spices, and 42 pounds of pumpkin.

The recipe started as head brewer Chad Henderson’s homebrew recipe more than a decade ago. (At one point he told Beer Street Journal a giant pumpkin was involved in the process, either in brewing or tapping. Never did get clarity.) NoDa Gordgeous has been a fall offering each year since debuting in 2013.

The beer has won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in both 2018 and 2020, which is quite the accomplishment for that particular beer style.

NoDa Gordgeous is available in 16-ounce cans (4 packs) and draft as an early fall seasonal.

Style: Pumpkin Beer (w/ Brown Sugar, Cardamom, Cloves, Ginger Root, Allspice)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft
Latest Return: Late August 2025

6.4% ABV, 29 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, Headlines, Seasonal Return

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, lagered in Cabernet barrels returns

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is back for 2025, signaling the transition from summer to fall.

First debuting in 2006, Oaktoberfest has become a cherished seasonal tradition for the brewery. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team use all-German ingredients in the recipe and lager the beer in Napa Valley wine barrels (hence the name Oaktoberfest). This year, the beer was lagered in French oak barrels that previously aged Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery. According to the brewery, the oak lagering “creates an even smoother texture while staying true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.”

It may be coincidental, but Firestone Walker’s home of Paso Robles, California, ties in beautifully. “Paso Robles” translates to “Pass of the Oaks,” a nod to the abundant oak trees in the region. This connection complements the city’s reputation for wine production and the Oaktoberfest name.

This year, Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnanger, Hersbrucker
Malts: Vienna, Weyermann Pilsner, Cara Red

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal release.
Latest Return: Mid-August, 2025

5.2% ABV

Image: Firestone Walker 

ED NOTE: If any readers know of a retailer will ship Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, contact us. Be sure to scroll down the page for the form, we are having some coding issues on that page)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Seasonal Return

Wild Heaven Fest Beer, Year 8

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is back for its eighth year, a brew that took a bit of a “travel curve” before the Avondale Estates, Georgia, brewery perfected it.

A few years ago, brewery co-founder Eric Johnson debuted Autumn Defense, a creative take on the classic fall lager. However, Autumn Defense was actually an ale, boasting “pronounced bright citrus flavors, brewed heavy-handedly with Munich malt.” A festbier in spirit, but, as Johnson admits, not very traditional. “You’re not a brewer if you’re not experimenting, I guess,” Johnson once told us. “It doesn’t always work out.”

Wild Heaven Fest Beer has since followed a more traditional path. Now a true Märzen lager, it has officially moved away from the “ale festbier” concept for good. Getting there required tweaks to the recipe and yeast.

In the first two years of Fest Beer, Johnson used Grungeist hops, a European hop of Hallertauer parentage. While these hops produced a good lager, traditional brewing ultimately won out. (Another revelation came later: the Gungeist hop flavor faded significantly after four weeks.)

These days, the lager is brewed exclusively with classic German Noble hops.

The journey from Autumn Defense to Fest Beer has been a story in itself. What Fest Beer is today is quickly becoming a fall tradition for Wild Heaven and its fans.

Wild Heaven Fest Beer is available on draft and in 12-ounce cans seasonally, starting this week.

Style: Festbier/Marzen

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 9/22/18
Latest Return: August 2025

5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in 3 Sheeps Brewing, Seasonal Return

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pils, a warm weather seasonal

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pilsner is back in time for 60 degree temperatures to finally hit the Badger State (which still has frost warnings in May) meaning summer isn’t far away.

Lemongrass Pils is a Bohemian-style pilsner infused with lemongrass and brewed with Cascade hops, has become a well-loved seasonal since it debuted (around 2016?). We tried the beer last summer in the Sheboygan tap room and besides just being a perfect beer for summer weather, it is indeed, as the brewery says- “crushable.” The lemongrass really pops and pints go down way too easy.

EVENT: 3 SHEEPS CELEBRATES 13 YEARS ON MAY 31, 2025

3 Sheeps Lemongrass Pils is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft as a summer seasonal.

Style: Pilsner (w/ Lemongrass)
Hops: Cascade
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Three Taverns Brewery

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is back for a 4th year

Three Taverns Pilsnen Liberation, a collaboration with Pilsner Urquell has been re-released.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation has been re-released, a hoppy pilsner crafted in collaboration with Pilsner Urquell’s experimental brewery, Elektrarna. This beer is an annual tribute to the 1945 liberation of Pilsen, Czech Republic, by U.S. forces. Pilsen Liberation hit taps at all Three Taverns locations over the weekend and is reaching retailers this week.

Pilsen Liberation, a 4.3% ABV lager, blends classic Czech malt and Saaz hops with the vibrant American hop character of the 2025 Veterans Blend from Yakima Chief Hops, delivering “spicy, herbal notes alongside citrusy and floral aromas,” according to Three Taverns. The pilsner is brewed using a triple-decoction process, a brewing technique where a portion of the mash is boiled and returned to the main mash three times to achieve specific temperature rests, resulting in a deeper malt flavor.

THREE TAVERNS TO OPEN PONCE BREW TERMINAL THIS FALL

At the taproom, you can experience the beer poured via traditional Czech Lukr side-pull taps, served in dimpled Euro-style mugs at Three Taverns’ Decatur and Imaginarium taprooms.

The 2025 release marks the fourth iteration of Pilsen Liberation, inspired by Pilsner Urquell’s admiration for Three Taverns’ Prince of Pilsen. Elektrarna’s brewmaster Lenka Straková and Three Taverns’ Neal Engleman adjusted this year’s recipe to highlight the unique Veterans Blend hops.

Three Taverns Pilsen Liberation is available in 16-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Pilsner
Hops: Saaz, 2025 Veterans Blend
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Special Release.

4.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Southern Tier Brewing, Seasonal Return

Southern Tier Pumking makes its mid-July return

Southern Tier Pumking is usually the first pumpkin beer to hit shelves, typically right after Independence Day. You typically see it on shelves alongside the brewery’s pumpkin stout, Warlock. Pumking is one of the boldest (and highly debated) pumpkin beers across craft beer since debuting in 2007.

The 9% strong ale is brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, and allspice. Each sip is an over-the-top fall beer that tastes like biting into pumpkin pie (crust included). Much to the chagrin of beer drinkers and their social media hatred of beer seasonal creep, Pumking really is the king one thing – it’s always the first pumpkin beer on shelves every season for the past few years. The brewery has not said if that helps beer sales or not.

In 2015, Pumking also shipped 12-ounce bottles, making the imperial pumpkin ale a little more manageable if you are flying solo.

In 2014, the brewery added Southern Tier Rum Aged Pumking,

Southern Tier Pumking is available in 12-ounce bottles, 22-ounce bottles, and draft through the fall.

Style: Pumpkin Beer (Allspice. Cinnamon. Clove. Nutmeg. Vanilla.)
Hops: Sterling, Magnum
Malts: 2 Row Pale, Caramel

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Latest Return: July 2023

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, Seasonal Return

Creature Comforts Athena Paradiso with Cherry, Raspberry, & Cranberry back in lineup

Creature Comforts Athena Paradiso returns to cans as 2023 gets in full swing.

Athena Paradiso is a spin on the brewery’s year-round Athena Berliner Weisse. This release features tart cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, which complements a Guava & Passionfruit edition the brewery also releases seasonally.

David Stein, Co-Founder, says “We love how fruit plays with the acidity in Athena. Also, depending on the fruit used the beer will often take on its color – this version in particular will be a dark pink.”  The “Paradiso” is meant to instill a vision of paradise and prepare consumers that they are on the verge of going on a beautiful fruit journey.

Creature Comforts Athena Paradiso will be available in both 12-ounce cans and draft again starting in mid-January.

Style: Berliner Weisse (w/ Tart Cherries, Raspberries, Cranberries)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Initial Release: February 2016
Latest Return: February 2023

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay