This weekend in Grand Rapids we showed how we were #UpForWhatever and celebrated the ghoulish holiday with Blood Light Drafts and Bud Light and Budweiser platinum bottles - the adult trick or treat option. 

Back in the day, I took Halloween very seriously. It was the candy holiday and my family prepared the proper way – by coming up with ridiculous costumes and stealing pillow cases off the beds to use for carrying back our haul. Now, as a grown up, I’ve been forced out of the trick or treating game and beer has replaced the pillow case as the candy accompaniment. Chosen wisely, these two make perfect pairings.

New Belgium Rampant IPA with sour gummy worms

A perfect example of matching strength to strength, Rampant Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing pairs well with the sour gummy worms. The sweet and tart flavors stand up to the bold and bitter brew while the juicy and tropical fruit hop notes complement the gummies’ varied flavors.

Deschutes Black Butte Porter with malt balls

Milk chocolate coating meets chocolate malt for this candy pairing. The porter is light bodied enough to not overwhelm the palate and the carbonation and dry finish help to clean the tongue between bites.

Oskar Blues Old Chub Nitro with peanut butter cups

What goes better than chocolate and peanut butter? More chocolate with peanut butter, of course. The smooth and creamy brew can be enjoyed straight from the can. The dark roasted malt is slightly sweet and bitter, perfect to serve as a side to the rich and thick peanut butter chocolate candy.  

Samuel Adams Cream Stout with Snickers

The caramel, peanuts and creamy chocolate in Snickers gets to take the main stage for this pairing, with Samuel Adams Cream Stout serving as a refresher. The stout is a dessert itself but proves to be light enough to let the creamy filling and bold chocolate peanut combo shine through.

Perrin Kona Brown with Kit Kat bars

Sweet milk chocolate and crunchy wafers are given a caffeine boost with this brown ale brewed with locally roasted coffee. The coffee brings out the roasted malt quality which adds another layer of chocolate complexity to the candy, while serving as a base to balance out the sweetness of the treat. 

The 6 Best Beers for Halloween

Halloween, the one day where you can be whatever you want to be. Hopefully, no matter your costume selection, you will choose to imbibe a beer to wash down all that candy. Here are a few beers to get ghoulish with tonight.

Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple

Although Angry Orchard is a cider, it gets to be included because the name and the drink are that good. Delightfully tart and sweet with a bit of heat from the cinnamon, this cider provides excuse enough to make tonight as cinnful as possible.

Blue Point Old Howling Bastard

The perfect beer accessory for those who want to dress up like an angry, old bald man, this barley-wine strong ale (10% ABV) will keep you warm and toasty throughout marathon trick or treating.

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

The skeletons out and about tonight will adore this porter’s label while the rest of us enjoy this bold and black beer brewed in honor of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.

Petoskey Brewing Horny Monk

Petoskey Brewing provides a red, malty and complex Belgian-style ale for all the booze-loving monks and friars that will be out, rather oddly celebrating All Hollows’ Eve.

Right Brain Blue Magic

Eerily floral, this ale brewed with locally-sourced lavender, is no witch’s brew but it will definitely make your mouth taste like magic.

Stone Brewing  Ruination IPA

Tonight delight in the ruin, doom and gloom as the skies darken while sipping devilishly bitter IPA.