Halloween Ale
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company

Halloween AleHalloween Ale
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From:
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
6%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 13.14%
Reviews:
186
Ratings:
324
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 04, 2018
Added:
Aug 29, 2001
Wants:
  16
Gots:
  32
Every fall marks the return of our legendary Extra Special Bitter for the season, Halloween Ale – the beer so good, it's scary! From its humble beginnings in 1990 as a small-batch seasonal in our Portland Brew Pub, Halloween Ale has grown to be one of the year's most anticipated beer releases. This robust brew has a deep amber color, a bold, malty palate and a well-rounded hop finish. The perfect beer for a crisp autumn day!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by brentk56:
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear burnt sienna, with a massive ecru head that leaves a spooky pattern of lace

Smell: Caramel and apples with a woodsy yeast and earthy hop edge

Taste: Caramel and apple dunkin', at the outset, with a phenolic edge that develops by mid-palate that relates to both the Ringwood and the English hop bill; apple flavors come through strong into the finish, though there is also the caramel as well as the persistent yeast and hop elements

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A full-flavored beer, though I wouldn't call it an ESB; Halloween Ale describes it perfectly as it had the caramel apple and the woodsy Autumn flavors nailed; interesting, though not something I would likely seek out again

Thanks, Bendurgin, for the opportunity
Nov 03, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.74 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Dec 04, 2018
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into an English pint glass.
The appearance was a nice rugged dark orange color with a small white foamy head softly dissolving to leave some adequate yet messy lace.
The aroma had a huge malty biscuity to toasty white bread along with some nuts, earthy crisp hop leafiness with some grassiness. Anise and allspice slide in underneath.
The flavor was malty sweet initially and developed some sort of underlying spice, somewhat earthy and allspice-like. Super malty aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was between light and medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Good rolling carbonation, perhaps a bit higher than expected for the style. ABV felt as projected. Malty finish.
Overall, pretty good Autumn brew, maybe again. But definitely might be better with some fish n'chips.
Sep 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.63 by williahd from Maine

Oct 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.54 by mmorris15 from Maine

Dec 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.12 by Jfstermer from Pennsylvania

May 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by malfunxion from New York

Jan 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by ChrisL24481 from New Hampshire

Dec 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by grahuba from Connecticut

Nov 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.27 by Lefty_P_Hand from Maine

Nov 01, 2015
 
Rated: 2.89 by rjm0715 from Massachusetts

Oct 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by paulish from New York

Sep 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.67 by Word2BigBIrd from Massachusetts

Sep 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by KQ2RP from Maine

Jul 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by NOLANDMAN from Massachusetts

Apr 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by Reds76 from Maine

Apr 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Feb 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Dec 15, 2014
Photo of johnnnniee
Reviewed by johnnnniee from New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
Bottle from Harvest Market
Pours a deep amber/copper color with a good sized off white head that persists for quite a while. Aromas of rich caramel malt with a bit of a mineral/sulfur edge, light earthy hop aroma. The flavor is rich caramelized malt sugars with lots of toffee. Light fruit, earthy hop, light mineral flavor. Medium body moderate carbonation. Decent brew.
Dec 13, 2014
Halloween Ale from Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 324 ratings