Treat yourself to one of these spooky brews

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This article was published 29/10/2022 (1439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In today’s Free Press arts and life section you’re treated to a roundup of must-see Halloween TV, a Halloween-themed playlist, a preview of WSO’s Nosferatu and more. On Monday, when kids are making the rounds screaming on peoples’ doorsteps, you can read about the team’s taste test of new-to-us treats.

So, in keeping with the heaps of Halloween-related content, here are six spooky brew reviews, presented from lightest to heaviest — some pumpkin spice-infused, yes, but others delivered in delicious creepy packaging and making for some fine seasonal sipping as you’re doling out the treats (and occasional trick)…

The Barn Hammer Brewing Co. Grimoire (Winnipeg – $4.25/472ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts and beer vendors) is a wheat beer flavoured with rooibos tea and lemon; it’s medium gold and quite hazy in appearance, and aromatically brings spice, fresh wheat, bread dough, lemon zest and tea notes. It’s light-plus bodied and just off-dry, with more of those same components coming through flavour-wise, with no apparent bitterness from hops or otherwise and a modest finish (it’s 5.5 per cent alcohol). A fun brew for those with an adventurous palate. Try with Nerds or other tart and tangy treats. 3.5/5

A pale ale brewed for Winnipeg Comiccon and with creepy can art by GMB Chomichuk, the Trans Canada Brewing Co. Chainsawhand Pale Ale (Winnipeg – $4.24/473ml can, brewery, beer vendors) is medium copper in colour and slightly hazy, with fresh malt, citrus rind and light biscuit/bread dough aromas. On the medium-bodied palate the malt flavours work exceptionally well with the tropical fruit, herbal and citrus rind notes, the modest hops (25 IBU) bring just enough bite and the five per cent alcohol ends things off just right. An excellent pale ale that needs no candy pairing. 4.5/5

Deep copper in colour, the Upstreet Craft Brewing Gravedigger Pumpkin Ale (Charlottetown, P.E.I. – $4.29/473ml can, Liquor Marts and beer vendors) is an East Coast pumpkin ale has all those pumpkin pie spices coming through aromatically, with a hint of vanilla along with the typical clove/nutmeg/cinnamon. There’s some decided sweetness and creaminess to this medium-plus bodied ale, which ramps up the vanilla and clove components with very little in the way of bitterness and a relatively long finish (it’s 6.5 per cent alcohol). Try with candy corn. 3/5

Closer to home, the Torque Brewing Witching Hour Dark Pumpkin Ale (Winnipeg – $4.50/473ml can, brewery, Liquor Marts and beer vendors) returns for yet another spooky season, a chestnut-brown brew with an almost-chocolatey aroma that comes with the pumpkin pie spices. The chocolate and pumpkin-spiced notes work well here, particularly since this beer doesn’t go to sweet or creamy, bringing modest bitterness (30 IBU) and deep roasted malt notes before the moderate (6.5 per cent alcohol) finish. Give it a whirl with any chocolate bars you might have in your treat bowl. 3.5/5

Be careful when cracking open the Off the Rail Brewing Co. Gate Keeper Dark IPA (Vancouver, B.C. – $3.79/473ml can, better beer vendors), as the can on this dark IPA acted possessed upon opening, gushing and foaming up, producing a massive tan head to go with the dark chestnut colour appearance-wise. Aromatically the roasted malt notes come with a compelling and pretty floral hop component, with just a hint of Tootsie Roll in there as well. On the medium-bodied palate the roasted malt notes take centre stage, with a dollop of resinous, hoppy bitterness (40 IBU), an underlying note of espresso and a medium-length (5.6 per cent) finish. Try with Tootsie Rolls, of course. 3.5/5

In keeping with spooky season, Good Neighbour released a number of darker beers under the Bad Neighbour moniker. The Good Neighbour/Bad Neighbour Brewing Co. Imperial Stout Vol. 1 (Winnipeg – $4.85/473ml can, taproom and Quality Inns beer vendor) is an imperial stout brewed with cocoa nibs, molasses and vanilla; it’s cola-black in colour with a tan head, and aromatically definitely delivers the vanilla and cocoa notes along with roasted malt and oat aromas. It’s full-bodied, chewy and medium-sweet, with the vanilla/cocoa coming with a lovely silkiness, the malt and subtle spice notes playing a supporting role, very little in the way of noticeable bitterness but a long, somewhat warm finish thanks to the eight per cent alcohol. It’s less aggressive than some imperial stouts out there, but brings such nice complexity that pairing with candy would do it a disservice. Available only at the Good Neighbour tap room (116 Sherbrook St.) or the Quality Inns beer vendor on Pembina Highway near Grant Avenue. 4.5/5

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