Beers for Halloween: Scarecrow, Hobgblin, Dead Guy Ales

To celebrate Halloween I decided to try a few "in the spirit of" named beers.

Scarecrow Ale.
Wychwood Brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England.
USDA Organic

Caramel color with a slight haze.
Malty nose.
Slight malt taste, some hoppy bitterness.
Medium body, small bitter/dry finish.

Not my favorite ale but enjoyable overall.
Available in Austin: Yes


Hobgoblin Ale . 5.5 ABV Ale

Wychwood Brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England.

Ruby brown color, off white bubbly head.
Coffee and toffee nose.
Roasted malt with a slight nutty taste, thin mouth feel.
Available in Austin: Yes




Rogue Brewery
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, Oregon.

This Ale was created in the 90's to commemorate the Mayan Day of the Dead for Casa U Betcha Mexican Restaurant in Portland. The dead guy design turned out to be so popular, that is was re-incorporated into a bottled Maibock a few years later. The label even glows in the dark!!

I picked this up in a 64 oz growler to take to a Halloween gathering, when I opened the bottle is had decent carbonation but poured with little or no head. The bottle size might have had something to do with it. Overall it was a very enjoyable beer, I will pick up a smaller size next time for better notes and a re taste!
Available in Austin: Yes

I couldn't get my hands on the following beers but they seemed fitting for the event.

The Moorehouse's Brewery in Burnley, Lanconshire, England offer s few spooky styles with a Black Cat Ale, PendleWitches Brew and a Blond Witch. The Pendle Witches were put on trail in the 1600, during the rule of King James the 1st. King James produced a book 'Daemonology' to help local magistrates identify witches, that he believed were part of a plot to remove him from power. On august 20th 1612, seven Pendle Witches were hanged at Lancaster Prison.
Available in Austin: Unknown


Middle Ages Brewing Company
120 Wilkinson St.
Syracuse, New York 13204.

Offers various styles with some great mid evil names. Wizard winter Ale is 6.8 ABV Ale with a chestnut color. Another noted title is the Druid Fluid, a barley wine made with 6 different malts. 9.5 ABV
The company started producing in September, a 12th Anniversary Porter available in growler fills or tasting at the brewery.

Available in Austin: Unknown