Normally it’s been just what ever I had in stock at the time, but this year I decided to come up with a beer that hopefully will become my “traditional” Halloween brew. 

In order to come up with a beer, I first needed to define what it is I’m doing, or trying to do.

I need a beer that not only fits the holiday, but can stand up to a heavy dose of heavy metal played at extreme decibels. Nothing fruity or nothing heavy like a stout. Something with backbone and character.  I think a hoppy American Brown will fit right in here.  

Something not overly sweet, but enough to handle some decent hopping. Some thing darker but not heavily roasted. 

Here is what I came up with … 

Vanhelsing- American Brown

10 lbs 2 row

1 lb 80L

.5 lb 10L

.75 oz magnum @60

1 oz cascade @15

1 oz cascade @ flame out

1 oz cascade dry hopped after activity slows

05 yeast. 

I wanted something with a medium body, so to match with the 1 1/2 lbs of crystal I went with a mash if 152. 

I still underestimate the color a little chocolate malts gives. I wouldn’t say it’s black. But damn close. As it sits in the fermenter I’m guessing in the 20’s SRM.

It was a good brew day. The humidity dropped, 73 degrees. But the wind seemed to keep the boil to a slight roll instead of a hard boil. But it did look like there was a good break.