We are supposed to believe that Halloween is for the kids; at least, that is what we grew up thinking since it was one night out of the year we got tons of free candy (and what kid doesn’t like that?). But as we grow older, we realize that is not entirely true.

Yes, Halloween at its essence is for kids. But it is just as much for adults to enjoy as well. It gives adults a reason to be silly; it gives them a reason to dress up and pretend to be someone else for a night.

It is the perfect excuse to act like a kid again and just have fun.

However, when we go to Halloween parties now, we may enjoy a piece of candy or two. But candy is not the kind of treat we have in mind. If it happens to taste like our favorite candy, that’s fine—but it doesn’t have to.

I’m talking about cocktails, of course.

There are hundreds of recipes out there for Halloween themed liquor-based cocktails. But in the spirit of Halloween, let’s make it a little trickier for our bartenders and go with some beer-based delights.

•    Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde: One recipe calls for a pint glass to be filled halfway with an Oktoberfest. After the foam settles to about an inch, gently fill the rest of the glass with a stout (pour it over a spoon). You could also go with a lager in place of the Oktoberfest.
•    Brewed Mary: This one may not be as much of a hit at Halloween parties. But for those who need to rejoin the land of the living the next morning, like its ‘bloody’ counterpart, it could come in handy. You make it like a Bloody Mary but instead of vodka use a good pale ale (or an IPA).
•    Hangman’s Blood: This one is not going to be cheap to make, so if you don’t have friends willing to chip in to make it, you better really like the ones you have. The recipe calls for two fingers of Gin, two fingers of Whisky, two fingers of Rum, two fingers of Port, two fingers of Brandy, one bottle (or can) of Stout, and a splash of Champagne. Mix the liquor into a glass, add the stout and then the champagne.
•    Beer Punch (make up your own Halloween-ish name for it): You will need four chopped strawberries, ¼ cup of blueberries, ¼ cup of sugar, two tablespoons of grenadine, two tablespoons of fresh lime juice, and two 12-oz. Pilsners. Mix everything but the beer into a bowl and let it sit in the fridge for about an hour (stir a few times for best results). When it is time to party, pour ingredients into four glasses, add about half a beer, stir lightly, and enjoy!
•    Shock Me: A shocking good scare can make or break any haunted house and shocking your guest at a party can do the same. That is, as long as it is the right kind of shock like the Shock Me-- 60ml Brown Ale, 35ml Bourbon, 6ml Southern Comfort, 6ml maple syrup, and Ice. To make it, put all the ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass, stir, and then strain into an Old-Fashioned glass and enjoy!
•    Spooky Mist (otherwise known as an Aperol Mist): Every good scary movie has at least one thing in common. When the campers, coeds, kids, or party-goers think the bad guys are coming, they see a spooky mist first. To make your own Spooky Mist for Halloween, you will need 1 oz. Aperol, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice, Belgian-style wheat beer, and a Lemon twist (for serving).

So, if you want to enjoy something other than a Yoger Poser Pale Ale, a Trend Bucker Stout, Low Brow Brown Ale, Brew in Town Belgian Wheat, or a Take A Chill Pilsner in their natural state, you can give one of the above recipes a try.

But let’s get real here— isn’t a nice, cold NoCoast Beer enough of a treat without adding all that other stuff? Why get tricky with your beer when you don’t have to?

Give yourself a treat on Halloween. Enjoy a NoCoast.