2beerguys beer blog

Beer Release: Almost time to get your spook on with Gritty McDuff’s

GRITTY MCDUFF’S “HALLOWEEN ALE” SCHEDULED FOR LATE AUGUST RELEASE

Portland, ME — Maine craft brewer Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company (www.grittys.com) announced today that its customer favorite, Halloween Ale, will be in retail stores and on tap in bars and restaurants by late August. One of Gritty’s most anticipated seasonal beer releases, the annual ale will be available through October 31st.

“Halloween Ale is always a big hit for us,” said Gritty’s Vice President and Master Brewer Ed Stebbins. “It’s an Extra Special Bitter (ESB), full-bodied brew that’s just right as the temperatures start to drop a bit at night.”

Gritty McDuff’s beers are available in a growing number of bars, restaurants, pubs, taverns, supermarkets, beer and wine shops, convenience stores, and other beer retailers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Halloween Ale Specs:

• Starting Gravity: 1060
• ABV: 6%
• Hops: Whitbread Goldings, East Kent Goldings, B.C. Kent
• Available: August 4-October 31
• Packaging: Halloween Ale is available in 6- and 12-packs of 12-oz bottles, 22-oz bottles, 5-liter mini kegs, and on draft.

2Beerguy’s official review (from Nov 2006)

This pours a dark amber, caramel color with a minimal, off-white head. Fully diminishing head with hardly any lacing. Aroma is malty, smells tasty. Initial taste is lightly bitter, which lasts right through to the finish with an average duration. Light on the mouth, it has a watery texture with soft carbonation.

• Type: Bitter
• ABV: 6%
• Source: 12 oz. Bottle
• Score: 17/30

Excellent Beer and Award-Winning Pubs

Since its founding in 1988, Gritty McDuff’s, Maine’s first brew pub since Prohibition, has brewed creative, quality beers that have earned awards ranging from repeat First Place wins at the annual Real Ale Festival in Chicago, to a silver medal at the prestigious Great British Beer Festival for Gritty’s cask-conditioned version of the brewer’s 21 IPA. Gritty’s has earned numerous accolades from a wide variety of beer blogs and industry press outlets, as well, including Every Day with Rachael Ray, Forbes.com, DRAFT magazine, Cosmopolitan, Imbibe and Santé.

In addition to brewing, Gritty McDuff’s operates three popular brew pubs in Maine. Located in Portland, Freeport, and Lewiston/Auburn, the pubs draw crowds of all ages and have frequently won in statewide polls the titles of “Maine’s Best Brew Pub,” “Best Maine Microbrew,” and “Best Bar.” Known for their four seasonal ales and five year-round ales, tempting pub fare and welcoming atmosphere, Gritty’s pubs have been named an Editor’s Pick by Condé Nast Traveler, highlighted as “a legend among New England brewpubs” by The Boston Globe, and cited by Playboy.com as one of the best bars in America.