Tipple Treat. Frighteningly good beers for Halloween

With Halloween only a couple of weeks away, I thought I’d make a list of some ales that have spooked me out this year with five of my favourite seasonal treats. From ghost-like pales to buckets of blood… pumpkin bitters to ghoulish ales, here’s a few cask spells that made the list…

1. The Bucket of Blood, St Austell brewery, Cornwall, established in 1851
First off we have The Bucket of Blood. I tried this pint from the St Austell brewery a couple of years ago in The Bucket of Blood pub, when I was staying in Phillack, just around the bay from Hayle in Cornwall. One of the best pints i’ve had. Don’t get spooked-out if you’re lucky enough to see it on draught during October… stock up if you do as it’s gone by November!

2. Freddy Brewger, Robinson’s Brewery, Stockport, Greater Manchester, established in 1849
One, two, Brewger’s coming for you… three, four and you’re ready for a bite. A well crafted, full-bodied red ale with a subtle blackcurrant finish. Perfect for slowly sipping around the bonfire over halloween. Available through October and November and tried this for the first time last week.

3. Treacle Treat, Wadworth brewery, Wiltshire, established in 1875
Treacle Treat and Halloween go together. There’s something about treacle toffee at Halloween that just works. Bobbing apples aside, the black treacle combined with Target hops, Pale Ale, Crystal, Brown and Black make this beer a shocking must try this Halloween! Get some.

4. Pumpkin Ale, Downton, Wiltshire, Established in 2003
This well hopped speciality bitter is ghoulishly good! The nutty sweetness and locally grown, organic pumpkins give this bitter character with a distinctive orange hue. A must try during October. Don’t be screamish if you so happen to see this beer on the pumps during October, a lovely drop which always jumps out at you…

5. Black Wych, Wychwood Brewing Company, Witney, Oxfordshire, Established in 1983
This dark spell of rich caramel sweetness with a pinch of roast, and a stirring of hoppy bitterness provides a classic spooky pallet. Don’t be fooled by the Black Wych’s precence all year round, she often makes an appearance in one of the draught pumps near you over the Halloween period… and often returns, whether one likes it or not!

Have you tried any on the list? We’d love to hear your thoughts! You can join in the conversation by posting in the comments section below.

I will be posting another five Halloween inspired beers on the blog this time next week, so keep an eye out for more spooky treats!