December 19, 2025

From Pumpkin Beer to Christmas Beer: Seasonal Taps Rolling Into Winter at Elicit

From the last pour of pumpkin beer to the first sip of Christmas brews, Elicit Brewing’s seasonal taps evolve right alongside the colder months. Discover when your fall favorites fade, winter lagers arrive, and festive holiday beers take over the tap list.

You feel seasonal beer before you see it on the tap list. The weather shifts, layers get heavier, nights stretch longer, and suddenly, the beer you’re craving changes, too.

At Elicit Brewing, that transition is one of our favorite parts of the year. Pumpkin beers start to fade out, winter styles roll in, and the whole vibe shifts from fall cozy to full holiday energy.

In this blog, we’re taking you through how our seasonal taps move from pumpkin beer to Christmas beer, what’s pouring along the way, and when you can expect your favorites to show up in the beer hall.

What’s Pouring at Elicit Right Now

Pumpkin beers and autumn ales usually hang around just long enough to make you want one more before they’re gone. But once the calendar turns and the air gets sharper, winter steps in with a completely different mood.

At Elicit, we rotate our taps to match the season. As pumpkin beers wind down, winter lagers, sour ales, and Christmas beers start taking over. It’s less about flipping a switch and more about letting the lineup evolve naturally, one pour at a time.

The result is a tap list that always feels current, never forced, and very much in tune with what you actually want to drink right now.

The Pumpkin Beer Goodbye: When Fall Taps Out

Every year, pumpkin ales, spiced brews, and autumn-inspired lagers show up right when the leaves start changing. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. That familiar pumpkin spice warmth that somehow still feels exciting.

At Elicit, pumpkin beers usually pour through late September and October. They’re perfect for early fall hangouts, outdoor afternoons, and those first few chilly nights.

But as much as we love them, they don’t stick around forever. As November approaches, pumpkin beers rotate off the taps to make room for winter styles that better match the colder months. If you’re searching for pumpkin beer near me, this is your friendly reminder not to wait too long.

Winter Lagers: The Smooth Shift Into Cold Weather

Lemons and honey in a jar on a rustic table, fresh ingredients used at Elicit Brewing for craft beverages.

These are the beers that ease you into the colder season. Crisp, but with a little more body. Clean, but with added malt richness that feels warming instead of light.

From early November through December, winter lagers take center stage at Elicit. They’re easy to drink, balanced, and versatile enough for any kind of night.

Perfect for:

  • A casual after-work pint
  • Long conversations that start with “just one.”
  • Anyone who wants something refreshing without going full dark beer

If you’re browsing ‘craft beer near me’ and want something that fits winter without being heavy, this is the move.

Sour Ales & Cranberry Beers: A Bright Holiday Twist

Sour ales bring a totally different energy to the season. Bright, tangy, and refreshing, they cut through heavier holiday flavors in the best way.

Around early November, you’ll start seeing sour ales hit the taps, often brewed with fruits like cranberry, orange, or other seasonal accents. Cranberry-forward sours, in particular, have become a holiday favorite. Tart, festive, and unexpectedly refreshing.

They’re great when:

  • You want something lighter
  • You’re mixing up a beer flight
  • You love contrast in your lineup

If Christmas beer usually makes you think heavy and spiced, sour ales are the wildcard amongst all the exciting flavour profiles that keeps things interesting at Elicit.

Christmas Beer Is Back (And the Holidays Officially Start)

As fall beers step aside completely, Christmas beer takes over the tap list. Spiced ales, winter lagers, and festive brews start pouring right around the beginning of December.

These beers lean into the season without overdoing it. Warm spice notes like cinnamon, ginger, and clove. Richer malts. Smooth finishes meant for slow sipping.

You’ll typically find:

  • Spiced Christmas ales
  • Festive lagers with winter warmth
  • Occasional stouts that feel like a nightcap

Christmas beers usually stick around through New Year’s, making them perfect for holiday catch-ups, end-of-year celebrations, and that weird in-between week when no one knows what day it is.

How to Build the Ultimate Seasonal Beer Flight

Stainless steel brewing tanks and kegs glowing under colorful lights inside the Elicit Brewing facility.

Seasonal beer flights are one of the best ways to experience the shift from fall to winter. You get the full story, one sip at a time.

Here are a few flight ideas we love this time of year.

The “Fall to Winter” Flight

  • A pumpkin beer
  • A winter lager
  • A cranberry or citrus sour
  • A festive Christmas beer

A full seasonal transition in one tray.

The “Holiday Spice” Flight

  • A spiced pumpkin ale
  • A winter lager with warming notes
  • A spiced Christmas beer or stout

For anyone who loves cozy flavors all the way through.

The “Berry & Spice” Flight

  • A cranberry sour
  • An orange-accented winter lager
  • A festive Christmas beer

Bright, festive, and perfect for sharing.

Beer flights make it easy to explore pumpkin beer, Christmas beer, and everything in between without overthinking it.

When Do Seasonal Beers Rotate On and Off?

Seasonal beers are all about timing, so here’s the general rhythm at Elicit:

  • Pumpkin Beers: September through October
  • Winter Lagers: Early November through December
  • Sour Ales (cranberry, citrus): Early November through the holidays
  • Christmas Beers: December through New Year’s

Tap lists change, so the best way to catch your favorites is simple: swing by and see what’s pouring.

Why Elicit Is the Spot for Seasonal Beer Lovers

At Elicit, we keep things flexible. Walk in. Grab a seat. Move around. Order a flight. Switch to a different pour. Stay for one drink or stay all night.

Across our Connecticut locations, the experience stays the same: welcoming, social, and built for everyone. No gatekeeping or pressure to “know your beer.” Just good craft beer and good company.

If you’re searching for craft beer near me that actually celebrates the seasons, you’re in the right place.

Quick Seasonal Beer FAQs

When should I grab pumpkin beer?

September and October are your window.

When does Christmas beer start pouring?

Early December, just in time for the holidays.

Do you have fruit-forward sours in winter?

Yes. Cranberry and citrus sours usually show up in early November.

Can I build a seasonal flight?

Always. That’s half the fun.

Cheers to the Season

Whether you’re holding onto one last pumpkin ale or diving straight into Christmas beer, Elicit Brewing has something for every part of the season.

Come in, grab a pint, build a flight, and toast to good beer, good timing, and even better company. 

Related blogs

Christmas Beer & Winter Warmers: What to Drink at Elicit This Holiday Season

Dec 22, 2025

Celebrate the season at Elicit Brewing with cozy Christmas beers, rich winter warmers, festive flights, and holiday cocktails made for long nights and good company. From spiced ales to roasty stouts, every pour captures the spirit of the holidays.

Read More >

Black Friday & Small Business Saturday at Elicit Manchester: Markets, Music & Special Hours

Dec 22, 2025

Kick off the holiday weekend the fun way at Elicit Manchester with craft beer, live energy, and a lineup of events made for friends, families, and dogs. From Black Friday hangs to Small Business Saturday shopping and Santa photos with pups, this is your new favorite holiday tradition.

Read More >

Thanksgiving Eve at Elicit: Your Pre-Turkey Night Out Across Fairfield & Danbury

Nov 26, 2025

Thanksgiving Eve at Elicit is the ultimate hometown reunion—packed with craft beer, dancing, and the kind of energy that only happens when everyone’s finally back together. Whether you’re in Fairfield or Danbury, this is the night to catch up, let loose, and kick off the holiday weekend right.

Read More >