Seasonal beer near me: where to buy it in Westford, MA
You can buy seasonal beer at CBC Liquors, a package store in Westford, Massachusetts. Right now its shelves hold this fall's beers: Oktoberfest märzens and festbiers from Germany and New England, and pumpkin ales from mild to big and spiced. Each beer below shows its current price and stock.
CBC Liquors is in Westford, so it's close for shoppers in Westford and in nearby towns like Chelmsford, Littleton, Groton, Tyngsborough and Carlisle. The rest of this page covers what seasonal beer is, which ones the store has now, and how to pick between them.
What is seasonal beer?
Seasonal beer is beer that breweries make for one time of year. It's sold for a few weeks or months, and then it's gone until the next year. The main seasons are:
- Fall: Oktoberfest beers (märzens and festbiers) and pumpkin ales. These are on the shelf now.
- Winter and holidays: darker, richer or spiced beers, plus holiday mixed packs and gift packs. These usually come out late in the fall.
- Spring and summer: lighter, brighter beers for warmer weather.
Since each release lasts only a short time, the easiest way to get one is to buy it while it's in stock.
Which seasonal beers does CBC Liquors carry right now?
Oktoberfest märzens and festbiers
Märzen is the classic copper-colored Oktoberfest lager. It's malty and smooth. Festbier is the lighter, golden style poured at the festival in Munich today. The store has both kinds from German brewers and from New England brewers:
- From Germany: Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen and Weihenstephaner Festbier
- From Massachusetts: Jack's Abby Copper Legend, Berkshire Brewing Life on Märzen and Notch Fest Bier
- More from around the country: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest, Zero Gravity Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and Equilibrium Stein Theory Märzen
Pumpkin ales
Pumpkin beers run from easy-drinking to big and dessert-like. Most are spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and similar baking spices. On the shelf now:
- Wachusett Pumpkin Ale and Shipyard Pumpkin Head: lighter, well-known fall picks
- Two Roads Roadmary's Baby and Mighty Squirrel Gourdgeous Pumpkin
- Bigger and richer: Southern Tier Pumking, Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin and Greater Good Giant Pumpkin
- Non-alcoholic: Athletic Dark & Gourdy Pumpkin & Spice
For more on pumpkin beer in town, see Pumpkin ale near me: where to find it in Westford.
Winter, holiday and new releases
Winter beers and holiday packs usually come out once fall is underway. New beers show up in the store's New Arrivals as they come in.
How do I choose a seasonal beer?
- If you like smooth, malty lagers: go with a märzen, like Ayinger or Copper Legend.
- If you want something lighter for a crowd: a festbier, like Weihenstephaner or Notch, is crisp and easy to drink.
- If you want fall spice in a glass: a pumpkin ale. Start with Wachusett or Pumpkin Head. Try Pumking or Smashed Pumpkin when you want something bolder.
- If you're skipping alcohol: Athletic Dark & Gourdy, or look through the non-alcoholic beer below.
- If you can't decide: buy one Oktoberfest and one pumpkin beer and compare them side by side.
Looking for other beer?
Browse the store's beer by style below, or read more about beers it carries: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in Westford, Cloud Candy IPA, GARAGE beer and gluten beer near Westford. You can also start from the CBC Liquors home page.
Seasonal beer questions
Where can I buy seasonal beer near Westford, MA?
At CBC Liquors, a package store in Westford, Massachusetts. Its current seasonal beers include Oktoberfest märzens, festbiers and pumpkin ales, all listed on this page.
When do seasonal beers come out?
Most breweries release beers ahead of their season. Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers usually arrive in late summer and early fall. Winter and holiday beers usually come later in the fall. Each one is sold for a short time, so buy your favorites while they're available.
What's the difference between a märzen and a festbier?
Both are Oktoberfest lagers. Märzen is darker, copper-colored and more malty. Festbier is golden, lighter and crisper.
How do I choose between pumpkin beers?
For a lighter, easy-drinking beer, try Wachusett Pumpkin Ale or Shipyard Pumpkin Head. For something bigger and richer, try Southern Tier Pumking, Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin or Greater Good Giant Pumpkin. For no alcohol, try Athletic Dark & Gourdy.
Does CBC Liquors have seasonal beer in stock?
Yes. The beers listed on this page are in stock now, and each product card shows its current price and stock. Seasonal beers sell out and new ones arrive, so check New Arrivals for the latest.
Is there non-alcoholic seasonal beer?
Yes. Athletic Dark & Gourdy Pumpkin & Spice is in stock, and the store's Non-Alcoholic Beer collection has more choices.
