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Pouring on the fall flavors: Taste of the season sweeps through county

By Brittany Mayer 4 min read

It's a craze that sweeps the nation as soon as the seasons change.

In 2023, that date was Aug. 24 when Starbucks began selling their fall flavors. Local coffee shops like Coffee on 3rd, Hard Bean Cafe & Creamery and The Clay Cup all have their own individual takes on flavors during this season.

"A lot of the fall season is a little bit premeditated because we've been doing this for quite a few years, so we know that right around September people are going to start asking 'where's pumpkin?'" said Lindsay Irvin, manager of The Clay Cup. "But we also have a lot of people that will come in just looking for new fall things. We'll do apple cider items, we'll do pumpkin, and maple is also a huge flavor for us in the fall."

The Pumpkin Spice Latte may be the most widely known drink of the season; however, other flavors like caramel, maple, apple and cinnamon also start to emerge at local coffee shops. Coffee on 3rd has added drinks like "Witches Brew" and "Snickerdoodle" to their menu.

"We do a lot of pumpkin spice around this time," said McKenna Estep, barista at Coffee on 3rd. "Right now, we have 'Bobbing for Apples,' which is our caramel apple drink, and that one is really popular as well."

Hard Bean Cafe & Creamery created brews like "Pumpkin Roll Cold Brew," "Count Chocula Cold Brew" and "Nightmare on 764," named for the cafe's location at 3535 state Route 764, Altoona.

"We started thinking about fall flavors in the summer," said Megan Dively, general manager of Hard Bean Cafe & Creamery. "We like to be a season in advance and give our employees creative freedom for seasonal drinks. I think it's important to include them as well."

Customers like Briana Shriver seek out different fall flavors at local shops like Coffee on 3rd.

"The fall menu items are my favorite at all the local coffee shops," said Shriver. "I chose 'Witches Brew' because it was new and different. Part of the reason I love the fall flavors so much is because you get a chance to try drinks like this."

Coffee enthusiasts and regulars can be seen entering their favorite coffee house and ordering something they might not usually pick out.

"During the fall, almost as soon as school starts back, we definitely pick up," said Irvin. "Coffee just tastes a little better when it's cold. We do have a lot more foot traffic, and we do have more people that are looking for something cozy and warm to carry with them as they are going about their shopping."

The Clay Cup has an additional fall element to generate foot traffic to their location -- pottery.

"We start getting fall pieces usually around August. That's when people want to start decorating and celebrating and they get in the mood for it," said Sarah Vogel, owner of The Clay Cup. "So, we flew through all of our fall pieces and we're actually moving into holiday stuff now."

Newer local coffee shops like Hard Bean Cafe & Creamery are excited for what the season will bring to their locally owned and operated business.

"Business has grown and we only hope to continue to get busier. Our guests love all of our fall specialty drinks," said Dively. "(All the local shops) have different ideas, specialties and atmospheres, which makes visiting each coffee shop an experience of their own."

Local coffee shops should know that customers want the opportunity to enjoy their unique flavors for as long as possible.

"I need to know how long the fall flavors will be available, so I know how long I have to enjoy it," said Shriver.

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