I Pair Some Beers with Scary Movies

by Joseph Elia

If I had a complaint about pumpkin beers, it would simply be that they have come to define Halloween beer drinking.  The craft beer world is a wonderful, macabre industry filled with an eclectic cast of hippies, hipsters, geeks, scientists, artists, and business men and together they produce an array of beers with characteristics that make them perfect for the one holiday that mirrors this assortment of characters.

Halloween is only a day a way, but there still is some time left to grab a great case of beer.  I have chosen a handful of recommendations and paired them with an appropriate scary movie, but feel free to include them in your other Halloween activities as well.

Left Hand Stranger—This is an easy drinking pale ale with only 5% ABV, you can drink this all Halloween night while watching The Strangers starring Liv Tyler.  The beer starts off with a light floral hoppiness that ends with a twist ending, a rye pepperiness that is clean and enjoyable.

Clown Shoes Undead Party Crasher—Ahh the undead…gotta love them and what would a Halloween weekend be without at least one great zombie movie. This Imperial Stout from Clown Shoes comes only in 22 oz bottles but don’t let that deter you.  Over the top beers deserve over the top formats and this Undead is over the top.  It is as black as the concept of the dead eating the living, yet palatable with its chocolate and raisin notes.  Cashing in at 10% ABV you’ll want to drink this beer slowly and cautiously as you make your way through an undead movie marathon…one that begins with the original Romero classic, Night of the Living Dead and ends on Sunday watching the latest episode of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Finch’s Hardcore Chimera—One of my new favorite Double IPA’s Hardcore Chimera comes in 16 oz.  cans, a perfect size for pounding monsters of mythical proportions.  Lighter in mouthfeel than most doubles, this beer is truly a chimera because it hides its 9% ABV well behind a clean dry hoppy finish.  Drink this while watching John Carpenter’s remake of The Thing with Kurt Russell sporting the greatest beard in all of moviedom.

Off Color Apex Predator—This tart and bready saison, starts with pepper notes and finishes with slight hints of tropical fruits.  At 6.5% ABV this beer is just perfect to accompany an Aliens movie marathon or The Descent.

Dominion Double D—Every connoisseur of B horror movies knows that boobs are integral to character development, plot transitions, and emotionally connecting with a character.  Old Dominion Double D is the perfect beer to accompany any B horror film.  One of the least expensive double IPA’s on the market it matches the B movie production budget.  But that doesn’t mean it isn’t an immensely drinkable beer.  Slightly sweet with a nice hop middle and somewhat citrusy end, Double D hides its 9% ABV well.  Drink some this weekend while watching  Invasion of the Bee Girls or Sorority Row.

Founder’s Dark Penance—Despite its haunting name, this Founder’s imperial black IPA is a remarkably balanced and accessible beer.  Don’t let the dark color put you off this beer has a bright hop note to it with a bitterness that is pleasantly balanced by the rich roasted malt taste.  The ABV, just under 9%, is well hidden and balances this beer... making it perfect to pair with a movie dark in theme or mood but not a ponderous gore-fest…try it with Silence of the Lambs or The Shining.

Unibroue Maudite—In French maudite means “damned” but this Belgian strong dark ale is anything but.  This well balanced beer is rich with the tartness of Belgian yeast, and candy notes.  It is on the breadier side and its slightly warming booziness (8% ABV) is perfect company for a dark room and The Exorcist and Paranormal Activity.