Halloween!

Ian Robinson

Ian Robinson

Location
San Diego
This was our most extravagant Halloween yet. It took us an entire weekend to get all the lights, monsters and creepy things put up in the frount yard.

Trick or Treat was great fun and we gave out over a hundred treat bags to all the visiting kids. I was impressed as our entire street was decked out for Halloween and even the parents wore costumes with their kids.

For me, Halloween = a good stout, so this year's stout was Brooklyn Brewing Black Chocolate Stout (10.0%). Pouring jet black in the glass, this classic stout is a result of blending six different roasted malts and three distinct mashes.

With no sweetness at all in the flavours, Black Chocolate Stout gave dark chocolate notes, with toasty malts, dark fruit and molasses with a lush, velvety mouthfeel. I haven't had this beer in a long time, but it was thoroughly enjoyed on Halloween night!

20241031_201433.jpg

20241027_001359.jpg

20231012_094615.jpg
 
Last edited:
That a Yorkie Ian?

Adding Halloween stout for consideration on the seasonal list :). Though I wouldn't be surprised if your shelves were full of pumpkin-inflected beers if you're in the US - you see the odd one over here this time of year.
 
Hi Rob - Yes, that's a little Yorkie. Sofie Marie (her name "Sofie" is spelled after the Goose Island Brewing Belgian-style Saison, called Sofie). She's 4lbs of trouble!

Interesting about pumpkin-inflected beers because they are a rarity on the west coast and have been for the nine-years we've lived out here. We've talked to friends who work at local breweries and there just isn't the interest.

Go east and everyone has pumpkin beers in their autumn portfolios, especially in the Midwest and east coast. I picked up a couple of "import" beers in San Diego: The first being The Fear (9.0%), an Imperial Pumpkin Ale from Flying Dog Brewing, out of New York, and Pumpkin Maple Marty (13.9%), an Imperial Stout aged in Maple Bourbon Barrels with Coffee, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla, Espresso and Pumpkin. It's brewed by Prairie Artisan Ales out of Oklahoma and for my money, Prairie are one of the best brewers of stouts in the country.

Next up will be the Christmas ales!
 
Last edited:
I must have a sixth sense as I got this email this afternoon from NoDa Brewing Co. out of North Carolina. This is their Cheerwine Hoiday Ale (5.2%). An American Wheat Ale with Pineapple and Cherry.

Screenshot_20241111_163948_Chrome.jpg
 
Roll on the Christmas beers (madeiras, sherries, ports, chunky reds and white meditation wines...)!

On Sofie Marie, I’d just come off a Youtube video of my football team, Huddersfield Town (the Terriers), so I did a doubletake when one of them suddenly appeared on a wine forum. And a US native no less! Our owner would be proud…
 
Ian Robinson said:
Interesting about pumpkin-inflected beers because they are a rarity on the west coast and have been for the nine-years we've lived out here. We've talked to friends who work at local breweries and there just isn't the interest.

Go east and everyone has pumpkin beers in their autumn portfolios...
Click to expand...
Yes, I think Brooklyn's Post Road is one I've seen over here. Don't remember having a pumpkin ale for a while so will see if I can find one.
 
My goal is to get Sofie Marie to Huddersfield and position her in front of a "Welcome to Huddersfield" sign and get a picture of her. I've looked it up online and saw a "WTH" sign that would work.

Her ancestry goes back to what has been accepted as the original Yorkshire Terrier, in the late-19th century: a Terrier named Huddersfield Ken. He came from a variety of Scottish breeds.

We're planning a 2026 trip back to Blighty. Who knows...that could be Sofie Marie's moment!
 
Ian Robinson said:
Her ancestry goes back to what has been accepted as the original Yorkshire Terrier, in the late-19th century: a Terrier named Huddersfield Ken. He came from a variety of Scottish breeds.
Click to expand...

Suspect that's why we're called the Terriers! I'd heard it as "Ben" rather than "Ken" but no matter, the important bit is "Huddersfield" :cool:

Here’s our mascot "Terry", enjoying another 5-0 defeat at home...

1731579130638.png

You might know Ian that we're now owned by a Californian, Kevin Nagle, who (part)-owns Sacramento Republic and the NBA Sacramento Kings. So the link grows stronger for Sofie Marie!
 
Funny thing is, Rob, we've been saying Huddersfield Ken for years, when indeed it is Huddersfield Ben. I truly appreciate the clarification.

And if you want another coincidence, my team is Cheltenham Town and one of our greatest players, Michael Duff, is managing your boys. He was a successful manager with The Robins too. Sad to see him leave.

I checked the League 1 table and the Terriers are 4th (as of 8.20pm PST on Friday night) so you're in a good spot.

Funny, we flew into Sacramento last year, on our way to visit some of our favourite breweries and a couple of wineries. Small world!

Here's Sofie at Saint Archer Brewing Co on New Year's Day 2022.

20220115_152116.jpg
 
:)

Yes, he's doing a good job (after a bit of a shaky start) is Michael. There was talk of producing a Duff beer to sell in the ground just to square the circle, but doubt they'd get clearance from Matt Groening!

Terry's "girlfriend" Tilly made a rare appearance at the ground today: bit taller than Sofie but you can see the family resemblance :)

Tilly.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top