Here we are, only a couple days before Halloween, and I know all you boys and girls will be out celebrating this dark, frightening celebration of all things... dark and frightening and... Ah, screw it, that's not what this holiday is about anymore. It is now an excuse for women to wear the most revealing, sluttiest outfits possible and parade about in public. Not that I'm complaining, mind you... but we men are delegated a lesser role. Oh, guys can still be creative, and cross-dressing is always a hit, but this evening belongs to the ladies...
Still, I absolutely love wearing costumes, as my friends will quickly point out, so I'm going to enjoy the hell out of this weekend, especially the usual Fells Point madness this evening. But there is a way to bring back a little of the old bone-chilling, fear-inducing atmosphere the holiday originally intended... and I'm not talking about a midnight screening of Paranormal Activity 3 at the Eastpoint Mall. No, as frightening as that may be, I'm using this horrible segue to introduce you to several local brews with names that might help get you in the spirit of Halloween... and in this year's case, get you all warmed up inside to brave the elements this evening.
So let's take a look at just a few of these brews you can find all around Baltimore. And, since it just happens to be Autumn, you might notice a common theme here: pumpkin beer.
- The Fear - Flying Dog
This is Flying Dog's first shot at a pumpkin beer (hey, everyone else is doing it!), and boy did they get it right. Great name and label too. Just enough spice and pumpkin to turn this excellent brew into an exceptional seasonal.
- Jacques Au Lantern - Evolution
Of course, I had to include any brew named after the season's ubiquitous carved gourd. Throw in some Belgian yeast and roasted pumpkin and you've got an interesting take on the traditional amber ale. (P.S.: These guys from Delaware are killing it!)
- The Great'er Pumpkin - Heavy Seas
Another twist on what you might normally consider pumpkin beer, this one is aged for months in bourbon barrels, giving it a kick that can't be beat. Easily one of my favorite beers of the fall. Grab one and cherish it... they don't make too many of these!
- Freddie's Revenge (A Nightmare on Pratt Street) - Oliver Breweries
This one is a little tougher to find, seeing how it's not sold in bottles, but Pratt Street Ale House is always worth a visit (also on tap at Max's and cask at Metropolitan). A nicely sessionable brew, there's more pumpkin than spice, which is how I like it.
There you have it. A lineup of locals that ought to scare you into drinking good beer. But hurry up, these seasonals don't last too much longer. And as you can see... winter is already upon us.
Stay warm, Baltimore!
Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual
Twitter: @DrunkIntellect
Looking for something to do in Baltimore for Halloween? Check out this article from the Bars Examiner, listed below...
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