15 Best Beers to Drink in Halloween Season: Must-Try Recipes

Halloween isn’t just about candy and costumes; it’s the perfect time to explore some of the most flavorful, festive beers out there. Whether you’re throwing a spooky party or just looking to get into the Halloween spirit, there’s nothing like a cold, seasonal brew to complete the vibe.

From pumpkin ales to dark, rich stouts, I’ve put together a list of 15 must-try beer recipes that are perfect for the Halloween season. Each one brings its own twist of autumn flavors, perfect for sipping around a bonfire, handing out candy, or enjoying while watching your favorite scary movie. Get ready to discover some unique and flavorful beers to try this Halloween!

1. Pumpkin Spice Ale

If you're a fan of pumpkin spice lattes, this ale is for you. It’s the perfect blend of malty sweetness and warm fall spices.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs pale malt extract
• 2 lbs caramel malt
• 1 lb pumpkin puree
• 1 oz cinnamon stick
• 1 oz nutmeg
• 1 oz ginger root
• 1 oz East Kent Goldings hops

Instructions:

1. Steep caramel malt in 1 gallon of water for 30 minutes at 150°F.
2. Add the pumpkin puree and malt extract, and bring to a boil.
3. Add hops and boil for 60 minutes.
4. Add spices in the last 10 minutes of the boil.
5. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

2. Black Lager

This dark beer is rich with roasted malts but still has a smooth, crisp finish, making it perfect for sipping on a cool Halloween night.

Ingredients:

• 7 lbs pale malt
• 1 lb black patent malt
• 1 lb Munich malt
• 1 oz Hallertau hops
• 1 oz Saaz hops

Instructions:

1. Mash the malts at 150°F for 60 minutes.
2. Bring to a boil and add hops, boiling for 60 minutes.
3. Cool and transfer to a fermenter, letting it ferment for 2 weeks.
4. Bottle and condition for an additional 2 weeks.

3. Cranberry Wheat Beer

For those who want something light but packed with flavor, this wheat beer gets a tart twist from cranberries.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs wheat malt extract
• 2 lbs cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 oz Cascade hops
• 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions:

1. Boil the wheat malt extract with Cascade hops for 60 minutes.
2. In the last 10 minutes, add cranberries and orange zest.
3. Ferment for 10 days and bottle.

4. Apple Cider Beer

This hybrid between beer and cider combines the best of both worlds—perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs pale malt
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 oz Fuggle hops
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Brew the pale malt with hops for 60 minutes.
2. In the last 15 minutes, add apple cider and cinnamon.
3. Ferment for 2 weeks, then bottle and enjoy.

5. Chocolate Stout

What’s Halloween without some chocolate? This stout has deep cocoa flavors and a creamy texture.

Ingredients:

• 7 lbs pale malt
• 1 lb roasted barley
• 1 lb chocolate malt
• 1 lb lactose (for creaminess)
• 4 oz cocoa powder
• 1 oz Fuggle hops

Instructions:

1. Mash the malts for 60 minutes at 150°F.
2. Boil with hops for 60 minutes, adding cocoa powder in the last 10 minutes.
3. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

6. Maple Pecan Brown Ale

Sweet maple syrup and toasted pecans make this brown ale a perfect companion to Halloween treats.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs brown ale malt extract
• 1 lb caramel malt
• 1/2 lb toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 oz East Kent Goldings hops

Instructions:

1. Steep caramel malt and pecans in 1 gallon of water for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract, bring to a boil, and add hops.
3. Boil for 60 minutes, adding maple syrup in the last 5 minutes.
4. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

7. Vanilla Porter

This smooth porter has a rich malt body with a touch of vanilla sweetness, perfect for cooler fall nights.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs dark malt extract
• 1 lb chocolate malt
• 1 lb black malt
• 2 vanilla beans
• 1 oz Willamette hops

Instructions:

1. Steep chocolate and black malts in 1 gallon of water for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract, bring to a boil, and add hops.
3. Boil for 60 minutes, adding vanilla beans in the last 10 minutes.
4. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

8. Spiced Honey Wheat Beer

This wheat beer has a slight sweetness from honey with just a hint of fall spices.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs wheat malt extract
• 1 lb honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 oz Hallertau hops

Instructions:

1. Boil the wheat malt extract with hops for 60 minutes.
2. Add honey and spices in the last 10 minutes of the boil.
3. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

9. Amber Ale with Caramel

Caramel notes in this amber ale make it a rich, slightly sweet beer that's perfect for fall.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs amber malt extract
• 1 lb caramel malt
• 1 oz Cascade hops
• 1/4 cup caramel syrup

Instructions:

1. Steep caramel malt for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract and boil with hops for 60 minutes.
3. Add caramel syrup in the last 5 minutes of the boil.
4. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

10. Pumpkin Porter

This rich porter has a smooth pumpkin flavor with hints of spice, making it a Halloween favorite.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs pale malt
• 1 lb chocolate malt
• 2 lbs pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 oz Fuggle hops

Instructions:

1. Mash malts for 60 minutes at 150°F.
2. Add pumpkin puree and boil with hops for 60 minutes.
3. Add spices in the last 10 minutes.
4. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

11. Oktoberfest Lager

A classic fall beer, this lager is malty, smooth, and perfect for celebrating the season.

Ingredients:

• 7 lbs Munich malt
• 2 lbs Vienna malt
• 1 oz Hallertau hops
• 1 oz Saaz hops

Instructions:

1. Mash the malts for 60 minutes at 150°F.
2. Boil with hops for 60 minutes.
3. Ferment for 3-4 weeks and bottle.

12. S’mores Stout

This stout brings all the flavors of a campfire s’more—chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows—in a smooth, rich beer.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs dark malt extract
• 1 lb chocolate malt
• 1 cup graham crackers (crushed)
• 4 oz marshmallow fluff
• 1 oz Fuggle hops

Instructions:

1. Steep chocolate malt and graham crackers for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract and boil with hops for 60 minutes.
3. Add marshmallow fluff in the last 5 minutes.
4. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

13. Cinnamon Brown Ale

A warm, toasty brown ale with hints of cinnamon, perfect for the Halloween season.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs brown ale malt extract
• 1 lb caramel malt
• 1 oz cinnamon stick
• 1 oz East Kent Goldings hops

Instructions:

1. Steep caramel malt and cinnamon stick in 1 gallon of water for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract and boil with hops for 60 minutes.
3. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

14. Blood Orange IPA

This IPA has a bright citrus flavor from the blood orange, balanced by a strong hop bitterness.

Ingredients:

• 7 lbs pale malt extract
• 2 blood oranges (zested and juiced)
• 2 oz Cascade hops

Instructions:

1. Boil the pale malt extract with Cascade hops for 60 minutes.
2. Add blood orange zest and juice in the last 10 minutes.
3. Ferment for 2 weeks and bottle.

15. Gingerbread Ale

This spiced ale brings the holiday spirit with flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs pale malt extract
• 1 lb caramel malt
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 oz East Kent Goldings hops

Instructions:

1. Steep caramel malt and spices for 30 minutes.
2. Add malt extract and boil with hops for

Conclusion

Halloween season is a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide variety of delicious beers that capture the essence of fall. From the comforting spices of pumpkin ales to the rich flavors of stouts and unique twists like gingerbread and blood orange IPAs, each of these recipes offers a little something for everyone.

Crafting your own seasonal brews not only adds a personal touch to your Halloween festivities but also creates memorable experiences with friends and family. As you gather for spooky celebrations or cozy nights in, let these 15 best beers to drink in Halloween season be the highlight of your festivities. Cheers to a season filled with flavors, fun, and a little bit of magic!