Got Beer? Devilish Brews for the Scary Season

To get into the scary swing of all things Halloween in this issue, I’ve assembled a lineup of creepy-sounding, but ghoulishly good-tasting brews that will enhance the long day’s journey into fright, provide you with a slew of fun facts to share at haunted happenings, and help you stand out in the beer crowd.

Unibroue’s Maudite, which means “damned” in Québécois, is a rich Belgian strong dark ale (8% ABV), and perhaps the best of this bewitched bunch. The label depicts eight French-Canadian lumberjacks who made a deal with Satan to be transported in a flying canoe to get home in time for Christmas. Holy damnation!

Dogfish Head’s Hellhound On My Ale is another nod to a demonic deal. It was first brewed in 2011 to commemorate the 100th birthday of bluesman Robert Johnson, who purportedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his legendary musical prowess. It’s a mega-hopped imperial IPA (10% ABV) laced with a touch of dried lemon peel (in honor of fellow blues giant Blind Lemon Jefferson).

Reanimator Helles Lager, the third entry in Narragansett Beer’s H.P. Lovecraft series, was inspired by the short story “Herbert West — Reanimator.” The brew brings ’Gansett’s Bock back from the dead (it was last made in 2013), with a spicy twist. It’s dry-hopped with Czech Saaz, the “serum” that breathes new life into the lager. The collectible cans were illustrated by Cranstonian Aaron Bosworth.

Wychwood’s Hobgoblin brings a bit of trick and treating from the UK to the beer party. The label proclaims that it’s “The Unofficial Beer of Halloween.” The “ruby beer,” usually characterized as an Extra Special Bitter, is a sweet delight, layered with chocolate and crystal malts and mild tartness from the classic British Fuggles and Goldings hops. And Wychwood’s motto has a bit of ’tude: “What’s the matter, Lagerboy? Afraid you might taste something?”

Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale, a 6.5% ABV maibock, was first made more than 20 years ago to celebrate the Mayan Day of the Dead (November 1). The Dead Guy caught on and has become one of the Oregon brewery’s biggest sellers and award-winners. And look for the special glow-in-the-dark bombers!

Another notable dead guy — Iron Maiden’s macabre mascot, Eddie — graces the label of Robinsons’ Trooper, which was created by singer Bruce Dickinson and named after an IM song. It’s an Extra Special Bitter (4.7%ABV). The beer is middling, but it’s a sure conversation-starter.

The Montreal-based Dieu du Ciel has a series of alluring beers that are perfect for Halloween sipping, including Péché Mortel (French for mortal sin), a thick imperial coffee stout (9.5% ABV); Rigor Mortis Abt, a quadruple strong brown ale (10.5% ABV); and Grande Noirceur (Great Darkness), a formidable imperial stout (9%ABV). And while you’re parlezing the français, you should save the Belgian brew Mort Subite — French for “sudden death” — for your last beer of the night. The 4.5%ABV lambic will be a sweet sipper to lead you to the other side.

A bushel of pumpkin beers fit the theme: Magic Hat’s Wilhelm Scream, New Holland’s Ichabod, Southern Tier’s Warlock, Flying Dog’s The Fear, Two Roads’ Roadsmary’s Baby and, our fave, Nebraska Brewing Co.’s Wick For Brains . . . .

And there’s nothing scary about the label, but I’m going to come full circle and recommend that you knock back a Duvel or two. Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat’s world-class Belgian strong pale ale (8.5% ABV) was originally called Victory Ale but, in 1923, a local shoemaker, Mr. Van De Wouwer, was inspired to deem the beer “nen echten duvel” (“a real devil” in Dutch) and Duvel was born.

Cheers (and fears)!

For more beer news, hit my blog, bottlescansclaphands.wordpress.com and follow @BottlesCansRI.