Dow Scoggins

Pete’s Wicked Ale: The OG Halloween Craft Beer That Rocked the ’90s!

October 31, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Raise your glass, beer geeks! If you were trick-or-treating with a six-pack in the 1990s, odds are it was Pete’s Wicked Ale — the nutty, caramel-kissed brown ale that became the unofficial pumpkin-spice latte of craft beer. Second-best-selling craft brew of the decade? Check. Featured on every Halloween party playlist? I was lucky enough to have sipped it straight from the bright tank at August Schell Brewing in 1988.

How a Kitchen Garbage Can Gave Birth to a Cult Classic
Picture this: Belmont, California, 1979. A five-gallon bucket, a giant kettle, and a garbage can (yes, really) are the O.G. brewery for Pete Slosberg. The marketing exec by day was trying to clone Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale — and accidentally brewed pure Halloween magic instead. After seven years of tweaking recipes (talk about patience!), Pete nailed the perfect roasty-toasty brown ale that screamed “fall vibes” 365 days a year.

Fun fact: Pete originally wanted to make wine, but fermentation was too slow. Beer? Instant gratification. 🍻

From Homebrew to National Nightmare (for Big Beer)
1986: Pete quits the 9-to-5 grind, raises $50K, and partners with Palo Alto Brewing. First 200 cases drop in December — gone in 60 seconds.
1987: Disaster! Contract brewery files bankruptcy. Pete and crew raid the West Coast for bottles, working weekends to save the batch. “Fun for about two hours,” he laughs.
Solution: Teams up with 130-year-old August Schell Brewing in Minnesota. Raises $400K. Ships 1,400 cases.
Boom: Wins #1 Ale at the 1987 Great American Beer Festival. Repeats in ‘88. By early ‘90s, Pete’s + Samuel Adams = ⅓ of ALL U.S. craft beer.
Label spotlight: Millie the English bull terrier grinning on every bottle. Instant shelf candy.

Why Pete’s Wicked Ale IS Halloween in a Glass
Flavor: Toasty malt, hints of chocolate, caramel, and a whisper of hops — like a campfire s’more in liquid form.
Vibes: Perfect for carving pumpkins, haunted hayrides, or just scaring off light lager drinkers.
Nostalgia: If you hear “Monster Mash” and reach for a brown ale, congratulations — you’re a Pete’s kid.

R.I.P. (But Never Forgotten)
Pete’s Brewing eventually sold in 1998, and the Wicked Ale faded into craft beer Valhalla. But every October, homebrewers dust off the recipe, and vintage bottles still pop up at bottle shares. Want to resurrect the ghost? Clone kits and recipes are a Google away.

Search tip: “Pete’s Wicked Ale clone recipe” + “Halloween brown ale” = your next spooky brew day.

Prost to Pete — the guy who turned kitchen trash into craft beer treasure. Now go find a dark corner, crack a brown ale, and toast the original Halloween hero. 🥃👻

Originally brewed with garbage cans. Now legendary in our hearts.

For the Today’s Top 10 brown ales and more

The Ghosts of the Haunted Maumee Bay Brewing Company in Toledo, Ohio

October 31, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Tucked inside Toledo, Ohio’s oldest downtown building, Maumee Bay Brewing Co. isn’t just pouring award-winning craft beer—it’s serving up history, hauntings, and hearty meals in the legendary Oliver House. Since opening its doors in 1995, this brewpub has become a local icon, famous for reviving Buckeye Beer and brewing small-batch ales, lagers, porters, and stouts. But there’s more bubbling beneath the surface: ghosts who love a good pint as much as the living. Ready for a spooky sip? Let’s dive in.

A Building Built on Bones (and Bold Dreams)
The Oliver House was born in the 1850s as a high-class hotel, the passion project of a sea captain who spared no expense to impress Toledo’s elite. Fast-forward to 1965: a construction crew accidentally dug up the grave of a Native American warrior chief. They simply reburied the remains and kept building. Decades later, during the 1990s renovation, the bones surfaced again. This time, local Native leaders performed a sage and tobacco ceremony to honor and calm the spirit. The building? It’s also situated on a Native American burial ground—setting the stage for some seriously restless energy.
From Battlefield to Brewpub: A Dark Past
During the Spanish-American War (1898), wounded soldiers arrived by train. The second floor became a makeshift hospital, while the basement likely served as a morgue. Then came the Great Depression, when the once-grand hotel hit rock bottom, operating as a flop house filled with desperation, fights, and—rumor has it—murder. With trauma layered like sediment in a fermenter, it’s no wonder the Oliver House is one of Toledo’s most haunted spots.

Meet the Ghosts: They’re Friendly (Mostly)
The spirits here aren’t angry—they’re active, especially since the 1990s restoration brought new life (and noise) to their home.

The Captain: The building’s original owner, a jovial, beer-loving ghost in full uniform. He’s thrilled with the brewpub makeover and often hangs out in the Private Dining Room (the former lobby). Guests report creaking floorboards, doors opening/closing on their own, cold spots, and the feeling of being watched. Down in the basement Pool Room, he’s been seen cheering on games like a spectral sports fan.
The Lady in Green: A stylish specter in a long emerald gown from the late 1800s or early 1900s. She loves gliding down the second-floor staircase, giving delivery workers the scare of their lives.
The Soldier: Heavy bootsteps echo behind late-night workers climbing the stairs—pausing when you pause, resuming when you move. A 1990s bricklayer once sprinted to his room after being “followed.” Just a ghostly prank? Probably.
Basement Energy: Psychic Chris Woodward sensed intense, unhappy vibes from past traumas—Native spirits, fallen soldiers, and flop-house despair. Even the owner’s daughter heard a cheerful disembodied voice call her name from the unfinished pool room below.

Craft Beer with a Side of Courage
Maumee Bay Brewing Co. brews its magic across the street in the Warehouse District, blending rich history with modern innovation. Best known for Toledo’s own Buckeye Beer, the team constantly experiments with balanced, drinkable recipes. Inside the Oliver House, you’ll find:

Maumee Bay Brew Pub – casual pub fare and ghost stories
Rockwell’s Steakhouse – voted Toledo’s best steak
Rockwell’s Lounge, The Café, and Mutz Sports Bar – options for every mood

Pair a hoppy IPA with a steak, or sip a smooth porter while waiting for a door to slam shut. Pro tip: Ask your server about “the Captain’s table”—and don’t leave your pint unattended.

Visit the Haunted Heart of Toledo
Whether you’re a craft beer lover, paranormal enthusiast, or just hungry for the best steak in town, Maumee Bay Brewing Co. delivers. Bring your appetite, your courage, and maybe an EMF reader. The ghosts are friendly—and they love a full house.

Maumee Bay Brewing Company
27 Broadway St
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: (419) 243-1302
Website: www.mbaybrew.com

America’s Most Haunted Breweries and Their Beers

Most Haunted Bar in Florida – The Blue Anchor Pub in Delray Beach

October 30, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

In the sultry haze of a Delray Beach evening, where palm fronds rustle like secrets in the Atlantic breeze, Emily stepped into The Blue Anchor Pub on East Atlantic Avenue. It was her first visit to this slice of old London transplanted to Florida’s sun-kissed shore—a 19th-century tavern, born in the fog-shrouded streets of 1840s England during the shadow of Jack the Ripper, only to be lovingly disassembled, shipped across the ocean in 1996, and rebuilt into the bones of a 1946 structure. The air inside hummed with the clink of imperial pints and the sizzle of fish and chips, but Emily, a skeptical history buff chasing tales for her travel blog, had come for more than bangers and mash. She’d heard the whispers: the pub wasn’t just historic; it was haunted. And not by any run-of-the-mill specter, but by Bertha Starkey, the betrayed bride whose fury had crossed the Atlantic like an uninvited guest.

The wooden beams overhead, scarred by two centuries of spilled ale and sharper sorrows, creaked as if sighing under an invisible weight. Emily settled at the scarred oak bar, ordering a frothy Guinness while eavesdropping on locals swapping yarns. “Bertha was a firecracker,” murmured old-timer Jack, nursing his pint with a wink. “Lived upstairs in the original London spot with her sailor husband, gone months at sea. One stormy night in the 1800s, he docks early, catches her in a lover’s embrace—right here where you’re sittin’—and in a jealous rage, he ends ’em both with a blade. No trial, no mercy. Her spirit? Stuck, wailin’ for justice that never came.” Emily chuckled, chalking it up to pub folklore, until the clock struck 10 p.m.—the witching hour of Bertha’s demise. A chill slithered down her spine, unnatural in the humid Florida night, as candles on the walls flickered to life on their own, casting elongated shadows that danced like frantic lovers. Glasses rattled along the shelves, not from the rowdy crowd of soccer fans cheering a Premier League match on the telly, but from an unseen hand shoving them aside in petty rage.

As the evening deepened, the pranks escalated into something profoundly eerie. A barmaid shrieked as pots clanged in the kitchen like a poltergeist tantrum, lids flying off and crashing to the floor. “Bertha’s at it again,” the staff laughed nervously, but Emily’s eyes widened when a spectral figure materialized in the foggy mirror behind the bar—a pale woman in a tattered Victorian gown, her dark curls disheveled, eyes hollow with betrayal. Bertha Starkey, they called her, forever 28, her translucent form gliding through patrons oblivious to her touch. Emily froze as icy fingers brushed her shoulder, accompanied by a mournful wail that drowned out the pub’s raucous laughter: a lament for stolen passion, for a life cut short in the throes of forbidden desire. Heart pounding, Emily bolted for the door, but not before glimpsing Bertha’s ghost pause at a table of young lovers, her ethereal gaze softening with envy before dissolving into mist.

The next morning, nursing a hangover laced with disbelief, Emily pored over grainy clips from Ghost Hunters International and America’s Most Haunted Pubs, shows that had stormed The Blue Anchor’s creaky floors years ago, capturing EVPs of Bertha’s sobs and orbs of light darting like fireflies in the gloom. Owners Mark and Peggy Snyder, who took the reins in 2017, had their own tales: breaker switches flipping off during closing, leaving the pub in pitch black; footsteps padding upstairs in empty rooms; and once, during a cleaning frenzy, every light blazing to life as if Bertha demanded her spotlight. Yet, for all her wrath, Bertha seemed less vengeful poltergeist and more tragic guardian—flicking off fuses to shoo away drunks after last call, or dimming bulbs to foster quiet confessions over late-night pints. Emily returned that very night, pint in hand, toasting to the ghost who’d turned a simple pub into a portal between worlds. In Delray Beach, where the sun bleaches secrets from the sand, The Blue Anchor endures as Bertha’s eternal tavern: a place where history pours as freely as the beer, and the dead raise a glass to remind the living that some loves, like fine ale, linger forever.

The Blue Anchor Pub
804 E Atlantic Ave
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Website: theblueanchorpub.com

Top 10 Haunted Bars and Taverns in America

The 25 Worst Beers in the World

October 27, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Determining the “worst” beers is inherently subjective, but based on aggregated user ratings from BeerAdvocate (as of mid-2025), RateBeer, and TasteAtlas—platforms where thousands of beer enthusiasts score brews on flavor, mouthfeel, and overall appeal—these light lagers, low-cal options, and malt liquors consistently rank at the bottom. Many are mass-produced adjunct lagers criticized for being watery, flavorless, or overly sweet, often prioritizing calories or price over taste. Ironically, some are top sellers like Bud Light. I’ve focused on beers still in active production and widely available in 2025, ranked from worst to least offensive among the bottom performers (average scores out of 5; lower is worse).

Top 25 Worst Beers in the World

Budweiser Select 55 – Ultra-low 55-calorie light lager with virtually no flavor, body, or hops; tastes like carbonated water with a faint beer afterthought.
Natural Light – Cheap adjunct lager loaded with corn sweetness and a metallic finish; a college staple critics call “liquid cardboard.”
Natural Ice – Higher-ABV version of Natty Light that amplifies the syrupy, boozy harshness and frozen-piss aroma.
Michelob Ultra – Marketed as a “fitness beer,” but its rice-heavy, 95-calorie profile is slammed as flavorless sparkling water.
Miller64 – 64 calories of absolute nothingness; reviewers say it vanishes on the tongue like hospital seltzer.
Milwaukee’s Best Light – Over-carbonated budget light lager with a stale, rusty aftertaste and zero depth.
Camo Genuine Ale – High-ABV malt liquor that smells like wet dog and tastes of skunky adjunct overload.
Keystone Light – Ultra-cheap “stone-skipper” beer; thin, corny, and frequently labeled “the devil’s urine.”
Busch Light – Watery adjunct lager with a faint grain bite that screams “beer was an afterthought.”
Bud Light – America’s top seller but bottom-rated for its skunky, flavorless profile—post-2023 backlash made it a punching bag.
Heineken Light – 99-calorie euro-lager that strips away any charm of the original, leaving only green-bottle skunk.
Coors Light – The “Silver Bullet” is ice-cold marketing but warm criticism: crisp, metallic, and depthless.
Olde English 800 – 7.5 % malt liquor that’s syrupy, harsh, and nicknamed “self-loathing in a bottle.”
Busch Ice – Frozen adjunct lager thicker than Busch Light but twice the chemical regret.
Keystone Premium – Slightly less offensive than Keystone Light yet still cheap corn water with no soul.
Labatt Sterling – Canadian light lager offering effervescent emptiness and a whisper of malt.
Bud Light & Clamato Chelada – Salty tomato-clam mixer that non-fans call “bloody Mary gone horribly wrong.”
Icehouse – 5.5 % “premium ice” lager that’s harsh, cheap, and tastes like freezer burn.
Milwaukee’s Best Ice – 6.9 % “The Beast” ups the booze but keeps the bland, icy mediocrity.
Old Milwaukee – Retro cheap lager that’s stale, forgettable, and occasionally nauseating.
Bud Ice – 5.5 % “cool” lager that’s sweet, watery, and reminiscent of a melted snow cone.
Corona Light – Thinner, skunkier take on the lime classic—loses whatever little charm the original had.
Heineken – Iconic green bottle routinely voted “skunked urine” by craft enthusiasts and X users alike.
Miller High Life Light – The “Champagne of Beers” lite version; bubbly disappointment with no payoff.
Sleeman Clear – Low-carb Canadian beer that’s crystal clear in appearance but opaque in flavor—tasteless at best.

Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here

National American Beer Day: A Toast to Tradition and Craft

October 27, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Celebrating National American Beer Day: A Toast to Tradition and and Craft
Every year on October 27, beer enthusiasts across the United States raise their glasses to celebrate National American Beer Day, a day dedicated to honoring the rich history, cultural significance, and vibrant craft of American beer. From the crisp lagers of the Midwest to the hop-heavy IPAs of the West Coast, this day is a tribute to the diversity and innovation that define the American beer scene. So, grab a cold one, and let’s dive into the story of National American Beer Day, its origins, and why it’s a beloved occasion for beer lovers everywhere.

The Origins of National American Beer Day
While the exact origins of National American Beer Day are somewhat hazy—like a good hazy IPA—the day is believed to have emerged in the early 21st century as a way to celebrate the resurgence of American brewing. The date, October 27, may not have a definitive historical event tied to it, but it aligns with the fall season, a time when breweries historically released their seasonal beers and communities gathered to enjoy the fruits of the harvest.
Beer has been a part of American culture since colonial times, with early settlers brewing their own concoctions using local ingredients like corn and molasses. By the 19th century, German immigrants brought their lager-making expertise, transforming the U.S. into a beer-loving nation. However, Prohibition (1920–1933) nearly wiped out the industry, leaving only a handful of large-scale breweries in its wake. The craft beer revolution of the late 20th century, led by pioneers like Sierra Nevada and Samuel Adams, sparked a renaissance that gave rise to thousands of microbreweries and brewpubs, making American beer a global force.
National American Beer Day celebrates this journey—from humble colonial brews to the innovative craft beers that have put the U.S. on the map as a brewing powerhouse.

Why American Beer?
American beer is as diverse as the nation itself. The U.S. boasts over 9,000 breweries (as of recent data), ranging from small, family-run operations to industry giants. This diversity is reflected in the styles of beer produced, which include:
Lagers: Crisp, clean, and refreshing, lagers like those from Yuengling (America’s oldest brewery, founded in 1829) remain a staple at bars and backyard barbecues.
IPAs: The India Pale Ale, with its bold hops and bitter bite, has become the poster child of the craft beer movement, with West Coast, New England, and double IPAs dominating tap lists.
Stouts and Porters: Rich, dark, and often infused with flavors like coffee or chocolate, these beers showcase American creativity.
Sours and Wild Ales: A newer trend, these tart, funky beers highlight the experimental spirit of American brewers.
Seasonals and Specialty Brews: From pumpkin ales in the fall to fruity shandies in the summer, American brewers embrace local and seasonal ingredients to create unique flavors.

What sets American beer apart is its fearless innovation. Brewers experiment with everything from barrel aging to unusual ingredients like peanut butter, maple syrup, or even hot peppers. This creativity has earned American beers countless awards at international competitions, proving that the U.S. is no longer just a consumer of great beer—it’s a creator.
How to Celebrate National American Beer Day

National American Beer Day is all about appreciating the craft, community, and culture of American beer. Here are some ways to join the festivities:
Visit a Local Brewery: Support your local craft brewery by stopping by for a pint or a flight. Many breweries host special events, tap takeovers, or release limited-edition beers on this day. Check their social media or websites for details.
Host a Beer Tasting: Gather friends and sample a variety of American beers. Include a mix of styles—perhaps a crisp lager, a juicy IPA, and a velvety stout. Pair them with snacks like pretzels, cheese, or spicy wings to elevate the experience.
Learn About Brewing: Take a brewery tour or dive into the history of American beer. Many breweries offer behind-the-scenes looks at their process, from malting to fermentation.
Raise a Glass to History: Toast to iconic American breweries like Anheuser-Busch, Miller, or Coors, which have shaped the industry, or to trailblazers like Anchor Brewing, whose Anchor Steam Beer helped kickstart the craft movement.
Share on Social Media: Post about your favorite American beer using hashtags like #NationalAmericanBeerDay or #CraftBeer. Many breweries engage with fans online, and you might discover new brews to try.
Cook with Beer: Incorporate beer into your cooking—think beer-battered fish, stout-infused chili, or IPA-marinated chicken. The flavors of American beer can add depth to your dishes.

The Economic and Cultural Impact
The American beer industry is a powerhouse, contributing over $400 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supporting millions of jobs, from farmers growing hops to bartenders pouring pints. Craft breweries, in particular, have revitalized small towns and urban neighborhoods, turning taprooms into community hubs where people gather to connect and celebrate.
Culturally, beer is woven into the American fabric. It’s there at baseball games, tailgates, and holiday gatherings. National American Beer Day reminds us of the role beer plays in bringing people together, fostering creativity, and showcasing regional pride.

Fun Facts About American Beer
Oldest Brewery: D.G. Yuengling & Son, founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, is the oldest operating brewery in the U.S.
Craft Boom: The number of craft breweries has grown from just 89 in 1978 to over 9,000 today, according to the Brewers Association.
Hops Haven: The Pacific Northwest, especially Yakima Valley in Washington, produces about 75% of the nation’s hops, a key ingredient in many beers.
Beer Capitals: Cities like Portland, Oregon, and Asheville, North Carolina, are renowned for their high brewery-per-capita ratios.

A Toast to the Future
As we celebrate National American Beer Day on October 27, 2025, we look forward to the continued evolution of American beer. With sustainability efforts, new brewing techniques, and a growing emphasis on inclusivity in the industry, the future is bright for this beloved beverage. Whether you’re a fan of a classic Budweiser or a barrel-aged sour from a local microbrewery, there’s an American beer for every palate.
So, this National American Beer Day, head to your favorite taproom, crack open a cold one, or try brewing your own at home. Cheers to the brewers, the dreamers, and the beer lovers who make this day—and American beer—something to celebrate!

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here

WISEACRE Brewing Company Shines with Two Awards at 2025 Great American Beer Festival

October 26, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

WISEACRE Brewing, a Memphis-based craft brewery, celebrated a triumphant showing at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), securing two prestigious awards. Their newest creation, Sky Dog Amber, clinched the Gold Medal in the International Amber Lager category, while the beloved Tiny Bomb earned a Silver Medal in the highly competitive German-style Pilsener category, following its Bronze win in 2014.
These accolades elevate WISEACRE’s national award count to four, including the 2024 title of America’s Best Light Beer for Sky Dog and a Bronze Medal for their Oktoberfest at the 2025 World Beer Cup in the German-style Märzen category. The brewery’s commitment to crafting exceptional lagers continues to cement its reputation as a leader in the craft beer industry.

“We’re over the moon about our GABF wins,” said Davin Bartosch, WISEACRE’s master brewer. “Tiny Bomb’s Silver in one of the toughest categories is a huge honor, especially since it’s our flagship beer. And Sky Dog Amber taking Gold on its debut? That’s a testament to our team’s talent and dedication. We’re beyond proud.”
The 2025 GABF saw over 270 breweries compete across 108 beer and six cider categories, judged by a panel of industry experts. A GABF medal is a globally recognized mark of brewing excellence, celebrating precision, innovation, and quality. “Winning at GABF is a career-defining moment,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “These medals reflect the pinnacle of craftsmanship and skill.”
The awards underscore WISEACRE’s growing “Lager Legacy” in Memphis, where the brewery has been pushing boundaries since its founding in 2013. “Our goal was always to craft world-class lagers,” said Kellan Bartosch, co-founder alongside his brother Davin. “With five medals from top national and international competitions, we’re turning that vision into reality. We’re thrilled to share these award-winning beers with our Memphis community.”

The GABF awards were announced during a live-streamed ceremony on October 11, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center. WISEACRE celebrated locally on October 17 at their original taproom (2783 Broad Ave.), pouring Sky Dog Amber (exclusive to taprooms), Tiny Bomb, Sky Dog, and Oktoberfest. Guests also enjoyed the new Panuzzo King pizza sandwiches, wines, batch cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, with DJ Leroy spinning vinyl to mark the occasion.

WISEACRE Brewing Company
WISEACRE Brewing Company was founded in 2013 by brothers Davin and Kellan Bartosch, Memphis natives who brought their passion for craft beer back to their hometown after honing their skills across the U.S. and abroad. Davin, trained at Germany’s prestigious Doemens Academy, and Kellan, with experience in brewery operations, set out to create a brewery that blended tradition with innovation. Starting with a single taproom at 2783 Broad Ave., WISEACRE quickly gained traction for its focus on quality and creativity, growing to two Memphis locations and distribution across 22 states. With over 60 employees, the brewery has become a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene, earning recognition in outlets like Men’s Health and Forbes for its bold vision and community roots.

Since its inception, WISEACRE has crafted over 170 beers, spanning crisp German-style lagers, hop-forward American IPAs, complex Belgian ales, and experimental barrel-aged brews. Their flagship, Tiny Bomb, a German-style Pilsener, has become a fan favorite, earning a Silver Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival and a Bronze in 2014. The Sky Dog series, including the 2024 titleholder for America’s Best Light Beer and the Gold Medal-winning Sky Dog Amber in 2025, showcases their lager expertise. Their Oktoberfest, a German-style Märzen, also claimed Bronze at the 2025 World Beer Cup, solidifying WISEACRE’s reputation for crafting award-winning beers that balance tradition with a distinctly Memphis flair.

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here

The Lemp Brewery and Mansion – Most Haunted Brewery in America

October 25, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis stands as one of America’s most chilling haunted landmarks, tied to a tragic family dynasty that suffered seven deaths—five by suicide—within its walls between 1901 and 1949. Built in the 1860s alongside the massive Lemp Brewery, once the city’s largest beer producer, the mansion was home to brewing tycoon William Lemp Sr. and his heirs. Tragedy struck early with Frederick Lemp’s mysterious heart failure at age 28, followed by William Sr.’s suicide in 1904. After Prohibition crushed the brewery in 1919, despair deepened: Elsa Lemp died by gunshot in 1920 with no note and delayed police involvement, William Jr. took his life in the mansion office in 1922, William III died of heart failure at 42 in 1943, an illegitimate child perished in the 1940s, and Charles Lemp shot his dog before killing himself in 1949, leaving a note reading, “Blame no one but me.” The last survivor, Edwin, sold the mansion and lived to 90—many believe escaping the property saved his life.

Beneath the mansion and brewery lies a labyrinth of natural Caves of St. Louis, once used for aging beer and secret family passageways. Today, these 100-year-old underground tunnels host the Lemp Brewery Haunted House by Halloween Productions Inc., widely hailed as America’s only REAL haunted attraction. Visitors descend a century-old spiral staircase 50 feet below street level into 20,000 square feet of authentic gothic horror—damp stone arches, rusted machinery, and eerie silence broken only by state-of-the-art animatronics, zombie brewers, giant alligators, and swarms of bats. With real history soaked into every wall, this isn’t fake fog and plywood—it’s genuine terror. Escape means climbing “The Hole,” a final staircase back to daylight… if the spirits let you go. Open select nights in October—book now at lemphauntedhouse.com.

For More Information about visiting and touring the Lemp Brewery Haunted House – Click Here

Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more: Click Here!

The Great London Beer Flood of 1814: Eight Lives Lost in a 15-Foot Ale Tsunami

October 24, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

On October 17, 1814, a devastating incident known as the London Beer Flood struck the St. Giles district in central London, near Tottenham Court Road. This unusual disaster claimed at least eight lives when a massive wave of beer—reaching up to 15 feet high—burst from a brewery and flooded the surrounding slum area.

The Brewery and the Massive Vat
The Horse Shoe Brewery, operated by Meux and Company, stood at the intersection of Great Russell Street and Tottenham Court Road. In 1810, the facility added a gigantic wooden fermentation vat measuring 22 feet tall. Secured with large iron hoops, it could store more than 3,500 barrels of brown porter ale, a dark beer akin to today’s stout.

What Caused the Flood?
That fateful afternoon, one of the iron hoops on the vat snapped. About an hour later, the entire vessel ruptured with tremendous force. The explosion of hot, fermenting beer destroyed the brewery’s back wall and caused nearby vats to burst as well. In total, over 320,000 gallons of ale poured into the streets of St. Giles Rookery—a densely packed, impoverished neighborhood filled with tenements and residents facing hardship.

The Devastating Impact on the Neighborhood
The beer flood quickly overwhelmed George Street and New Street, creating a powerful 15-foot surge mixed with debris. It inundated the basements of two houses, leading to their collapse:

In one home, Mary Banfield and her young daughter Hannah were having tea when the wave hit, resulting in both deaths.
In another, four people attending a wake for a two-year-old child who had passed away the previous day were drowned.
The torrent also knocked down a wall at the Tavistock Arms pub, trapping 14-year-old barmaid Eleanor Cooper under rubble and causing her death.
Eight people lost their lives in all. Rescue efforts saved three brewery workers from waist-deep water and pulled one more from the wreckage.

Aftermath and Public Reaction
With beer flowing freely, locals rushed to collect it in buckets, pots, pans, and even hats. Some consumed it directly on the scene. Reports later emerged of a ninth death due to alcohol poisoning in the following days.
As The Times reported on October 19, 1814:
“The bursting of the brew-house walls, and the fall of heavy timber, materially contributed to aggravate the mischief, by forcing the roofs and walls of the adjoining houses.”
In a somber development, some families charged admission to view the victims’ bodies. During one such gathering, the floor gave way under the weight of visitors, plunging them into a beer-filled cellar.
The strong odor of beer persisted in the area for months.

Legal Outcome and Industry Changes
Meux and Company faced lawsuits, but a judicial inquiry classified the event as an “Act of God,” clearing the brewery of liability. The company incurred losses around £23,000 (equivalent to about £1.25 million today) but recovered excise taxes on the destroyed beer. They also received £7,250 (roughly £400,000 in modern terms) in compensation for the lost inventory, which helped prevent financial collapse.
The tragedy prompted significant reforms in brewing. Large wooden vats were gradually replaced with safer lined concrete versions across the industry.

Legacy of the Site
The Horse Shoe Brewery operated until its demolition in 1922. Today, the Dominion Theatre stands on part of the former location, a reminder of this extraordinary historical event.

2025 Ohio Craft Brewers Cup Medal Winners and Breweries of the Year

October 20, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The Ohio Craft Brewers Cup stands as Ohio’s premier professional brewing competition, celebrating the ingenuity and excellence of the Buckeye State’s vibrant craft beer scene by providing an equitable platform for breweries statewide to showcase their finest creations. Launched in 2018 and organized annually by The Dayton Beer Company, the event has grown exponentially since its inception, evolving from a modest gathering into a highly anticipated showcase that now features 27 diverse beer categories spanning traditional styles to innovative brews. Judged exclusively by panels of fellow Ohio professional brewers.
Website: https://www.ohiocraftbrewerscup.com/

2025 Ohio Craft Brewers Cup Medal Winners

AMBER/RED ALE
Gold: Three Tigers – Firehouse Amber
Silver: Hofbrauhaus Cleveland – CLE Red
Bronze: Inside the Five – Megaphone

AMERICAN IPA
Gold: Immigrant Son – IPA
Silver: Three Tigers – Danko
Bronze: Ghost Tree – Cash After Ten

AMERICAN LIGHT ALE
Gold: Ghost Tree – Canoe Brew
Silver: Sonder – Eagle Light
Bronze: Oncore – Swantucky Slammer

AMERICAN LAGER
Gold: Pilot Brewhouse – Mt Crushmore
Silver: Combustion – Sir Veza
Bronze: Municipal – Pre-Pro Lager

AMERICAN PALE ALE
Gold: Three Tigers – Small Axe
Silver: Medina Brewing – Sunset Pale Ale
Bronze: Southern Ohio – Range Ball

BELGIAN/FRENCH ALE
Gold: Aeonian Brewing – OPA!
Silver: Broadview Brewing – Quadrophenia
Bronze: Narrow Path – Tri-Kettle Trippel

BELGIAN/FRENCH SAISON
Gold: Blue Heron – Abbey Normal
Silver: Edison Brewing – Winnow
Bronze: Narrow Path – Saison Du Grail

BROWN/DARK ALE
Gold: Hofbrauhaus Cleveland – Dunkel
Silver: Sonder – Brobie Porter
Bronze: Third Eye – Inner Sight

COFFEE BEER
Gold: Brink – Lil Zoomie
Silver: Third Eye – Unleashed Potential
Bronze: Broadview – Covered in Chrome

EUROPEAN LAGER
Gold: Forbidden Root – Festhalle
Silver: Sonder – Nocturnal
Bronze: Combustion – Pelotonia Pils

OKTOBERFEST
Gold: Twin Oast – Proast
Silver: Counterbalance – Beneath the Leaves
Bronze: Hofbrauhaus Cleveland – Festbier

FRUIT BEER
Gold: Double Edge – Bright Side
Silver: Ghost Tree – Ghostberry
Bronze: Aenonian Brewing – Around the Sun

GERMAN STYLE ALE
Gold: Brink Brewing – Lucid Visions
Silver: Forbidden Root – Note to Self
Bronze: Immigrant Son – Hungarian Pearl Kolsch

HERB/SPICE/PEPPER
Gold: Ghost Tree – Yukon Cornelius
Silver: Municipal – Route 4 Revive Ale
Bronze: Inside the Five – The Mashing Pumpkins

IMPERIAL BEER
Gold: Market Garden – Olde Groudhog Barleywine
Silver: Dayton Beer Co – Oregon Alley Imperial IPA
Bronze: Medina Brewing – Citra Supernova

NEIPA/HAZY IPA
Gold: Yellow Spring Brewing – Creative Space
Silver: Three Tigers – Juicy Bazooka
Bronze: Counterbalance – Rip, Tear, Destroy

NEPA/HAZY PALE
Gold: Forbidden Root – Mostly Idaho
Silver: Forbidden Root – Good on Ya
Bronze: Third Eye – Prismatic Muse

SCOTCH/SMOKED BEER
Gold: Edison – Zigarre
Silver: Combustion Brewing – Brasky
Bronze: Third Eye – High Consciousness

SOUR/WILD WITH FRUIT
Gold: Forbidden Root – Up for Discussion
Silver: Sonder – Bella
Bronze: Counterbalance – Neon Tides

SPECIALTY/HYBRID BEER
Gold: Market Garden – Yuzu
Silver: Third Eye – Getting Twisted
Bronze: Inside the Five – Squares or Triangles Strawberry

SPECIALTY/ADJUNCT STOUT
Gold: Third Eye – Double Astral
Silver: Roundhouse – Mexican Hot Chocolate
Bronze: Missing Falls – Brutus

STOUT
Gold: Brink – Moozie
Silver: Olentangy River – I Cant Feel My Pants
Bronze: Lockport – Big Debbie

WHEAT BEER
Gold: Market Garden – Prosperity Wheat
Silver: Twin Oast – Oastweizen
Bronze: Blue Heron – Yes Hefe

WOOD BARREL UNDER 8% ABV
Gold: Hofbrauhaus Cleveland – Bourbon barrel aged Doppelbock
Silver: Forbidden Root – All the Positions
Bronze: Forbidden Root – Heaviest Snuggz

WOOD BARREL OVER 8% ABV
Gold: HofbrauHaus Cleveland – BBA Kaiser
Silver: Twin Oast – Meet your maker
Bronze: Combustion – Inch of Dust

BEST OF SHOW
BRINK – LIL ZOOMIE
(Finalist For Best of Show – Brink Lil Zoomie, Forbidden Root – Festhaus, Brink – Moozie)

Regional Awards
Central
Forbidden Root

Northwest
Twin Oast

Northeast
Ghost Tree Brewing

Greater Cleveland
Hofbrauhaus Cleveland

West Central
Yellow Springs Brewery

Southeast
Double Edge

Southwest
Third Eye

BREWERY SIZE Awards
Best Large Brewery (Greater than 15,000 bbls)
NA

Best Medium Brewery (Less than 15,000 but greater than 5,000 bbls)
Market Garden

Best Small Brewery (Less than 5,000 but greater than 1,000 bbls)
Third Eye Brewing

Best Nano Brewery (Less than 1,000 bbls)
Forbidden Root Brewing

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here

National Barrel Aged Beer Day – October 3, 2025

October 17, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The return of Barrel Aged Beer Day is October 3, 2025! For this global holiday, we honor the people, passion and time invested in creating beautiful, barrel-aged beers.

The first Friday of October is Barrel Aged Beer Day. Brewers and beer drinkers should celebrate with colleagues and customers alike. A tap takeover featuring beers that have been in contact with wood, an educational panel about the processes involved and special bottle releases are all great ways to give a nod to the art form.

2025 U.S, Open Beer Championship Barrel Aged Medal Winners

Barrel-Aged Dark Beer
Gold: Plaid Habit – Boulevard Brewing Company – Missouri
Silver: Buffal-Oak Stout – Full Fledged Brewing Co. – Iowa

Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
Gold: Royal Oil – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
Silver: The Brawler – Northern Row – Ohio
Bronze: Perpetual Peace – No Label Brewing Co – Texas

Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter
Gold: GSO Barrel Select Stout 2024 – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
Silver: 3 year Barrel Aged Family Reserve Sleepy Bear – Werk Force Brewing – Illinois
Bronze: Eclipse – Frey Ranch – FiftyFifty Brewing Co. – California

Barrel-Aged Strong/Porter Extreme (12.5%+)
Gold: Assassin – Toppling Goliath Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Sir Blends A-Lot #5 – Mikerphone Brewing- Illinois
Bronze: Barrel God Cuvée – 2025 Blend Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
Bronze: Rye Barrel Aged Night Whale 2023 – Rhinegeist Brewery – Ohio

Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty
Gold: Maple Grenade – Silver Harbor Brewing – Michigan
Silver: BA Pumpkinhead – Pontoon Brewing – Georgia
Bronze: Ammo Can: Lima One – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina

Barrel-Aged Breakfast Stout
Gold: Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout – Toppling Goliath Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Blackout Brunch – Turning Point Beer – Texas
Bronze: Brunch with Santa – Low Tide Brewing – South Carolina

Barrel-Aged Fruited Sour Beer
Gold: Daydreamer – Vista Brewing – Texas
Silver: The Virtue of Patience – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Angels in the Architecture – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Black Angel – Wicked Weed Brewing – North Carolina

Wood/Barrel-Aged Fruit Beer
Gold: How Sweet It Is – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia
Silver: Huckleberry Hounds – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
Bronze: Barrel Aged Skooma – Fabled Brew Works – Kentucky

Wood/Barrel-Aged Strong Scotch Ale
Gold: Old Chungus – Confluence Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Diddy Muckle – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Bronze: Get in My Belly – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia

Barrel-Aged Barley Wine
Gold: Barrel Aged Matters of Importance – Narrow Path Brewing Company – Ohio
Silver: 12.12.12 2024 – Cherry Street Brewing at Vickery Village – Georgia
Bronze: Kelly’s Private Stash – Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton) – Ohio

Barrel-Aged Quad/Belgian Dark Ale
Gold: To Be Loved By You – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia
Silver: Muese Valley – More Brewing Company- Illinois
Bronze: Barrel Reserve 2025 – River North Brewery – Colorado

Blended Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: In the Black – Taxman Brewing Company – Indiana
Silver: Nullification – Woodland Farm Brewery – New York
Bronze: 5th Anniversary Blend – Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton) – Ohio

Rum Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: Soul Shakedown Party – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Silver: Big Hands I Know Your The One – Unrefined Brewing – Florida
Bronze: Ghoul Fuel: The Rum Diaries – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado

Spirits Barrel-Aged Beer (Non-Whiskey)
Gold: Shadow King Maple Cognac – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia
Silver: The Path – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Double Oaked Cognac Grow Old With You – Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project – Colorado

Wine Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: Port Barrel Qualified – Taxman Brewing Company – Indiana
Silver: Heaviest Snuggz – Forbidden Root Columbus – Ohio
Bronze: Shadow King Syrah – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia

Barrel-Aged German Lager
Gold: BA New Old Stock – Bissell Brothers – Maine
Silver: BA Doppelbock 2024 – Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
Bronze: Bourbon Barrel Aged Toasted Pecan Dopplebock – Saddle Mountain Brewing Company – Arizona
Bronze: Wild Dreams: Chapter 2 – Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery – Texas

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here