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You are here: Home / Events / Two Best Halloween Beers

Two Best Halloween Beers

Posted on October 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

If you are going to drink only two beers this Halloween season (really, I hope you drink more than that…) they should be Rogue’s Dead Guy and Shipyard’s Pumpkin Head.

Rogue Team at Beer Camp

If you are going to drink only two beers this Halloween season (really, I hope you drink more than that…) they should be Rogue’s Dead Guy and Shipyard’s Pumpkin Head.

Rogue is a Oregon based brewery, that calls themselves a small revolution, which “expresses itself through handcrafted Ales, Porters, Stouts, Lagers and Spirits.”  They do things differently and always differently.  I got to know some of the awesome people that work there back in 2010 when I attend the first ever beer camp they put on with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.  (I should blog about Beer Camp someday…)  Seriously, their stuff is amazing.  Don’t believe me?  Dead Guy alone has won 28 awards, the latest being: 2012 World Beer Championships – Gold.

The reason I love Dead Guy so much isn’t just for the amazing beer that it is, but the fact that it is practically the only Oregon beer you can get anywhere.  Seriously, I saw it all over the place in New England when I was in college and I’ve had it in China too!  There is nothing like seeing a familiar – um – face – um – skull, to make you feel at home.  Plus, did I mention the bottles glow?!  How cool is that?!

So what is Dead Guy?  For starters it’s an ale, a German Maibock to be exact.  Rogue uses their proprietary Pacman ale yeast (did I mention Rogue has proprietary yeast?)  This beer is a deep honey color with a malty aroma and rich heart flavor.  The story goes that back in the early 1990s Dead Guy ALe was created as a private tap sticker for Casa U Betcha here in Portland to celebrate the Mayan Day of the Dead (November 1st or All Souls Day).  It was popular with consumers and Grateful Dead fans that Rogue made it the label for their own Maierbock ale.

On to beer two, Shipyard Pumpkinhead!  Shipyard Brewery has been making award-winning, hand-crafted beer in Maine for almost as long as I’ve been alive.  While I don’t love Portland, Maine as much as I love Portland, Oregon.  It’s still an awesome town that makes some killer beer!   Yeast is key, Shipyard still uses a multi-strain yeast from Ringwood Brewery (from Hampshire, England.)

Why is Pumpkinhead so amazing?  Personally I think it is because it’s the only beer that I can talk guys into getting with a sugar-rim!  Honestly, this ale is a crisp and refreshing wheat ale with delightful aromatics and subtle spiced flavor.  It’s AWESOME in a frosted glass with a sugar spiced rim.  Seriously, try it, you will thank me later!

Need a good six pack idea for your Halloween Party?  Here is my pick:

1. Rogue’s Dead Guy – duh

2. Shipyard’s Pumpkinhead – another duh

3. Laurelwood Brewing Co’s Stingy Jack Pumpkin Ale

4. Lompoc’s Monster Mash Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter

5. Seven Brides Brewing’s Becky’s Black Cat Porter

6. Alameda Brewing Co’s Stubs Old Crow Hazelnut Porter

Have you had Dead Guy or Pumpkinhead?  What did you think?  What is your favorite Halloween beer? 

Just a heads up, this post was originally made for Beer Is Sexy!

Filed Under: Events

About BiteSize

Hi! I’m Jenna, but I got the nickname BiteSize in high school. I love homebrewing beer, thus BiteSize Brews. A blog focused on homebrewing, local brewery reviews and recipes. I’m lucky enough to live in the microbrewery capital of the world. I’m also a big fan of social media (chances are I’ll sprinkle a bit of it into this blog).

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