Brew York's Halloween beers: Brewcade and Dark Chapters

York has a habit of taking Halloween seriously, and Brew York is no exception. The brewery, set up in 2016 by friends Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham, has just dropped its latest spooky season range, and it is a proper nod to the city's love of the macabre. All their beer is brewed right here in York, split between the original city-centre brewhouse on Walmgate and a larger production site over in Osbaldwick, about ten minutes away.

The headline this year is the Brewcade trilogy, a limited-edition set that swaps ghosts for gaming. Each beer is inspired by a classic horror title, and the whole thing comes with a bit of theatre: the cans were dressed by York agency UnitedByDesign, and the set launched with an exclusive glass and a limited-edition T-shirt. Yousef Doubooni, Sales & Marketing Director at Brew York, put it simply: "Halloween is always one of our favourite times of year, and Brewcade is the perfect way to bring together two things we love – craft beer and gaming culture. Each beer has its own story, its own atmosphere, and its own sense of danger."

First up is Protocol, a 4.9% pumpkin spiced stout nodding to Resident Evil. It is dark and atmospheric, layered with roasted malt, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, and the brewery describes it as "smooth yet sinister, best enjoyed with the lights off". It is the obvious one to pair with autumn treats: spiced apple crumble, pumpkin pie, cinnamon pastries or a bit of dark chocolate. Then there is Hellfire, a 6.0% cherry and rhubarb pie sour inspired by Doom, which balances tart fruit with a biscuity pastry finish. It is sweet, sharp and dessert-like, and the brewery calls it "devilishly drinkable" – it sits happily alongside fruit pies, crumble or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Rounding it off is Remnant, a 5.2% NEIPA taking its cue from The Last of Us. It is soft-bodied, hazy and juicy, with Hallertau Blanc and Nelson Sauvin bringing white-grape and gooseberry brightness, while Huell Melon and Strata add honeydew, tropical citrus and dank undertones. The flavour is meant to evoke an overgrown landscape reclaimed by nature, and it pairs as well with roasted squash and sharp cheeses as it does with a spicy dish or a citrusy dessert.

If you want to try them, the obvious place is the Brew York Craft Brewery, Tap Room and Beer Hall at Unit 6, Enterprise Complex on Walmgate. It is a proper destination in its own right: a taproom inside the brewery, a Bavarian-style Beer Hall upstairs with 40 taps, a riverside beer garden opposite Rowntree Wharf and a Brewer's Yard outdoor space. Between the two rooms there are 10 cask beers and 10 keg lines, with a rotating selection of at least 20 fresh beers at any time. The kitchen serves Asian-inspired fusion food from YUZU Street Food, and the whole place is dog-friendly, family-friendly and open daily from 12pm to 11pm. It is also worth knowing that Brew York has a separate 2026 Halloween range called Dark Chapters, with Dracula's Bite, Franken Spice and Jekyll & Haze landing from the week of 21 September, so there is plenty to choose from whether you are in the mood for a gaming tribute or something more traditionally gothic.