Cheers to Michigan Fall Brews, Oktoberfests, and Wine Country Hotels

Autumn is here, bringing with it excellent seasonal craft beers, Oktoberfest celebrations, and visits to three of the nation’s best wine country hotels, all right here in the great state of Michigan. Here’s a list of some ways to make the most of fall 2021.

Cheers to Michigan Fall — and Year-Round — Brews

While a full list of all the excellent seasonal beers crafted in our great state would be too long to include, we can share Awesome Mitten’s picks for the 21 Best Michigan Fall Beers, which rates “beers infused with fall flavors such as pumpkin, cinnamon, and/or nutmeg,” Oktoberfest-style beers, harvest ales, and hard ciders. With the list including New Holland Brewing Ichabod and Dragon’s Milk Reserve S’mores, Jolly Pumpkin Fuego del Otoño, Bell’s Oktoberfest, Founders Harvest Ale, and Painted Turtle Java Vanilla Cider, among others, there’s something for everyone. 

The Michigan Brewers Guild has two events planned to celebrate Michigan craft beers for every season at the U.P. Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11, in Marquette and the Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market, Oct. 23. Nearly 100 members will be represented at the Marquette event, and even more, expected at the Detroit festival. 

Prost! Check Out These Michigan Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest celebrations are gradually returning after being noticeably absent in 2020. And no fall season would be complete without Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, chosen by Insider.com as one of the country’s most authentic celebrations of its kind. So authentic, in fact, that the mayor of Munich, Germany officially sanctioned it, making it the only event outside of Munich to be so honored. The celebration runs Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 16-19, and features authentic entertainment, dancing, Oktoberfest souvenirs, food, Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest beer, and, of course, a wiener dog race. 

Since you’ll already be decked out in your lederhosen and dirndl, make time the same weekend to stop by Oktoberfest Saline 2021, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17-18. Saline’s celebration features German and domestic brews, food vendors, live music, hammer spiel competitions, and a traditional attire pageant. 

Make sure you get your dry cleaning turned around quickly so you can don your Bavarian duds again the following weekend. If you’re on the lower peninsula, check out Downtown Ludington’s Octoberfest Sept. 24-25, or if you’re in the UP, head to Downtown Iron Mountain’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 25.  

Visit Northern Michigan Wine Country and These ‘Top Three’ Hotels

Once you’ve thoroughly celebrated Michigan beers, head north to take in the fall colors, sample exceptional Michigan wines, and enjoy a stay at one (or all) of the top three 2021 USA Today 10best.com Readers’ Choice Best Wine Country Hotels. Coming in at numbers one, two, and three on the national list are Château Chantal in Traverse City, Hotel Walloon in Walloon Lake, and the Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

At Michigan Beverage Collective, we’re always up for celebrating all that the Michigan craft beverage community has to offer. We look forward to seeing you this fall!