Fall isn’t here yet, but Samuel Adams isn’t waiting.
The brewery just announced its 2026 Fall Legends Variety Pack, which arrives with two notable firsts: a brand-new Apple Spice Ale joining the lineup, and — for the very first time in the brand’s history — a non-alcoholic version of its legendary Octoberfest. Three returning fan favorites round out the pack.
For anyone who stocks up on Sam Adams Octoberfest every year to get through football season, this is your heads up. And for anyone who’s been watching from the sidelines because of the alcohol content, 2026 is the year you finally get to join in.
The Two New Additions
Non-Alcoholic Octoberfest — Octoberfest is one of Samuel Adams’ most beloved seasonal beers, consistently cited by fans as a top seasonal release and a football season essential. This is the first time in the brand’s history that the fall flagship has been offered in a non-alcoholic format. Samuel Adams says the NA version maintains the “smooth, bold taste and rich caramel malt flavor from the original” — a meaningful claim given how often non-alcoholic versions of beloved beers fall flat on depth and malt character.
Apple Spice Ale (5% ABV) — The new seasonal addition to the variety pack, replacing last year’s Flannel Fest. It delivers juicy apple flavor upfront with notes of cinnamon and gingersnap — think crisp autumn apple picking in beer form. At 5% ABV, it’s a sessionable fall sipper that leans into seasonal flavor without going full pumpkin.
The Apple Spice Ale is only available as part of the Fall Legends Variety Pack — it’s not sold individually.
The Three Returning Fan Favorites
Octoberfest — The classic. Rich caramel malt, smooth body, and the flavor profile that’s made it one of the most anticipated seasonal releases in American craft brewing for decades. Fans describe it as “essential during spooky season” and regularly stock up by the case for football weekends.
Jack-O Pumpkin Ale — Samuel Adams’ take on the pumpkin beer category, blending pumpkin with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a way that leans more toward pie spice than straight pumpkin.
Harvest Helles — The crispest and most approachable of the four, a German-style lager that bridges summer drinking habits into the cooler fall months.
When to Expect It
The Fall Legends Variety Pack is expected to hit shelves in August as part of the broader wave of fall seasonal products already arriving at retailers nationwide. Samuel Adams has not announced a specific release date, but variety packs of this type typically appear at grocery stores and liquor retailers four to six weeks ahead of Labor Day.
The Bottom Line
Samuel Adams’ 2026 Fall Legends Variety Pack debuts with a new Apple Spice Ale and a first-ever non-alcoholic Octoberfest, alongside the returning Octoberfest, Jack-O Pumpkin Ale, and Harvest Helles. Watch for it on shelves in August. If you’ve been waiting for a non-alcoholic Octoberfest specifically, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
