Our Top 10 Halloween Beer Recomendations

Hey there, fellow beer enthusiasts! Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some spooktacular brews?

Halloween-themed beers are a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, with flavors and colors that match the eerie vibe of the season.

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want to try something new, these beers are sure to add a little extra fright to your night.

Pumpkin Ales: The Classic Halloween Beer

When it comes to Halloween, pumpkin ales are the go-to choice. These beers are like the jack-o’-lanterns of the beer world—classic, festive, and full of fall flavors.

Brewed with pumpkin, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and sometimes a touch of brown sugar, pumpkin ales capture the essence of autumn in every sip.

Standout Pumpkin Ales:

• Southern Tier Pumking: A full-bodied ale with rich pumpkin flavor and notes of vanilla and pie crust. It’s like drinking a slice of pumpkin pie.
• Dogfish Head Punkin Ale: A smooth and malty ale with a subtle pumpkin and spice flavor. Perfect for those who like their pumpkin beers balanced and not too sweet.

Dark and Spooky: Stouts and Porters with a Twist

If you prefer your Halloween beers on the darker side, stouts and porters with a twist are the way to go.

These beers often feature flavors like chocolate, coffee, and spices, making them perfect for sipping on a chilly October night.

They’re like the haunted houses of the beer world—dark, mysterious, and a little bit thrilling.

Notable Dark Brews:

• Evil Twin Brewing’s Imperial Biscotti Break: A rich, decadent stout with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and almond. It’s like a dessert and a drink all in one.
• Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Nosferatu: A blood-red ale with a strong malt backbone and a hint of caramel sweetness, balanced by a hoppy bitterness. Perfect for fans of dark, complex beers.

Witchy Brews: Beers with Unique Spices and Herbs

Looking for something a little more magical? Witchy brews made with unique spices and herbs are a fun way to add a bit of enchantment to your Halloween festivities.

These beers often incorporate ingredients like cloves, ginger, or even chilies, creating a brew that’s as intriguing as a witch’s potion.

Magical Brews:

• Rogue Ales’ Dead Guy Ale: This ale has a rich, malty flavor with hints of caramel and a touch of smokiness, giving it a mysterious, almost otherworldly character.
• Allagash Haunted House: A dark ale brewed with roasted barley and chocolate malt, offering a slightly sweet, malty taste with a dry finish.

Blood-Red Brews: Beers with Striking Colors

What’s Halloween without a little bit of blood—or at least a beer that looks the part?

Blood-red brews are a striking addition to any Halloween celebration. These beers get their color from ingredients like beets or berries, making them both visually stunning and delicious.

Blood-Red Beers:

• Ballast Point’s Red Velvet Nitro: This beer is as red as its name suggests, with flavors of chocolate, cream, and a hint of sweetness, all served on nitro for a smooth finish.
• New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin: A bright red ale with a kick of pumpkin spice and a hint of heat from habanero peppers. Perfect for those who like their beers with a bit of a bite.

Hauntingly Sour: Tart and Tangy Halloween Beers

For those who prefer their beers with a bit of pucker, Halloween-themed sour beers are a must-try.

These tart and tangy brews often come with spooky names and labels, making them a great addition to your Halloween beer lineup.

It’s like the trick in “trick or treat”—unexpected, but in a good way.

Tart and Tangy Beers:

• Jolly Pumpkin’s La Roja: A sour red ale with notes of dark fruit and oak, aged in barrels for a complex, tangy flavor.
• The Bruery’s Tart of Darkness: A dark, sour stout that combines roasted malt flavors with a tart, fruity finish. It’s like a haunted house for your taste buds—dark, surprising, and unforgettable.

Ghoulishly Named Beers: Creative Branding for Halloween

Sometimes, it’s not just about the beer—it’s about the whole package. Ghoulishly named beers with spooky labels add an extra layer of fun to your Halloween festivities.

These beers aren’t just about what’s inside the bottle; they’re about creating an experience.

Spooky Branding:

• Stone Brewing’s Enjoy By 10.31: This double IPA is brewed specifically for Halloween, with a label that encourages you to enjoy it fresh by the spookiest night of the year.
• Flying Dog’s The Fear: A pumpkin ale with a bold, spicy flavor, and a label that’s sure to send a shiver down your spine.

Pumpkin Spice Lagers and Ales

Pumpkin spice isn’t just for lattes—it’s for beers, too! Pumpkin spice lagers and ales take the flavors we love in our fall treats and put them in a pint glass.

These beers are perfect for those who can’t get enough of that pumpkin spice goodness.

Pumpkin Spice Favorites:

• Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Wheat: A smooth, wheat ale with pumpkin and spice flavors, perfect for a fall afternoon.
• UFO Pumpkin: A crisp, easy-drinking ale with just the right amount of pumpkin spice. Great for those who want a beer that’s flavorful but not too heavy.

Experimental and Limited Edition Brews

For those who love to explore the unknown, Halloween is the perfect excuse to try some experimental and limited edition brews.

These beers push the boundaries with unique ingredients and bold flavors, making them a must-try for adventurous palates.

1. Surly Brewing’s Darkness: A legendary Russian Imperial Stout, this rich, dark beer offers flavors of chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit, with a touch of bitterness. Released annually, it’s a dark delight worth seeking out.

2. Avery Brewing’s The Beast: A strong ale with a complex profile of caramel, dark fruit, and spices. This limited edition beer is as intense as its name suggests—perfect for those who enjoy pushing their taste buds to the limit.

3. Three Floyds Brewing’s Dark Lord: A highly sought-after Russian Imperial Stout brewed with coffee, Mexican vanilla, and Indian sugar. Released once a year, this beer is dark, complex, and intensely flavorful—truly a treat for the bold.

4. Bell’s Black Note Stout: A blend of two stouts aged in bourbon barrels, this beer is rich with notes of chocolate, bourbon, and dark fruit. Limited in release, it’s a perfect sipper for a spooky Halloween night.

5. The Bruery’s Black Tuesday: A massive, bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout with a rich, sweet flavor profile. Clocking in at over 18% ABV, it’s not for the faint of heart but offers an unforgettable experience with each sip.

These experimental and limited edition brews bring something special to the Halloween season, offering flavors and experiences that are as unique as they are memorable.

Whether you’re a collector or just looking to try something new, these beers are worth adding to your list.

Pairing Halloween Beers with Festive Foods

What’s a good beer without something tasty to go with it? Pairing Halloween-themed beers with festive foods can elevate your celebration to the next level.

Think candy, savory snacks, and everything in between.

Pairing Ideas:

• Pumpkin Ale with Pumpkin Pie: Double down on the pumpkin flavor with this classic pairing.
• Dark Stout with Dark Chocolate: The rich flavors of a stout pair perfectly with the bitterness of dark chocolate.
• Sour Beer with Spicy Wings: The tartness of a sour beer can balance out the heat of spicy wings, making for a surprisingly delicious combo.

Conclusion

Halloween-themed beers are a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. From pumpkin ales to blood-red brews, there’s something for every palate.

So, why not grab a few of these spooky sips and enjoy the creativity and flavor they bring to the table?

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or just relaxing at home, these beers are sure to add a little magic to your night.

If you enjoyed these, be sure to check out these Halloween Beer Cocktails for a spooky-boozey good time.

Cheers to a frightfully good time!