Elysian Brewing releases Chucky, a pumpkin witbier (with another virtual tasting)

Three beers from Elysian Brewing for Chucky release virtual tasting

Seattle’s Elysian Brewing has a new pumpkin beer out this season, as part of a collaboration with USA Network and SYFY Channel cable networks — “Chucky: A Killer Wit Beer” based on the horror movie possessed killer doll, in support of the television series which is launching its second season soon.

And similar to last year’s Pumpkin Pack rollout and this spring’s release of Dank Dust IPA, Elysian invited media folks (myself included) for a virtual (pumpkin) tasting of the new beer, via Zoom.

Three beers were included in the tasting media kit: Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, the brewery’s flagship pumpkin; Mr. Yuck Sour Pumpkin Ale, one that is usually only available on draft but which Elysian did a special limited bottling run; and Chucky itself, a pumpkin witbier with cranberry.

Elysian Brewing virtual tasting media kit box

Elysian Brewing virtual tasting media kit

I’ve written at length about Night Owl over the years, most recently for last year’s virtual tasting, it’s just a solid pumpkin ale with the appropriate spices. Not much more to say about that.

Mr. Yuck is a rarity, usually only seen at the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival or on draft at one of the brewery’s locations in limited amounts. It’s a lactobacillus inflected sour, aged in wood, and the version in this kit was aged in Italian grappa foeders for three and a half years. It’s 5.9% alcohol by volume.

As for the name—Elysian has permission to use the name, but not the likeness. (For those that don’t know, Mr. Yuk is the trademarked name and image for the poison warning label found on all sorts of chemical items.)

It’s one I’ve only had a few times, so it was a nice surprise. My (short) notes on it say:

An orange color. It’s quite mellow for a sour, with a nice tart note in the aroma that’s lactic and slightly syrupy; the flavor has a nice earthy note with a whisper of residual spice and a bright (but light) pucker. It’s a nicely tempered sour, any pumpkin notes at this point are subtle but I suspect that earthy character comes from the pumpkin. Maybe some white wine?

Elysian Brewing Mr. Yuck Sour Pumpkin Ale

Next up, the Chucky witbier. Not only brewed with pumpkin and cranberry, but the spices used were cinnamon and chamomile—no coriander as it traditional for the style. Cranberry juice was added but it was fairly minimal, and the finished beer doesn’t have the pink color that I think was the target.

The chamomile was an interesting choice, and I missed an opportunity to ask why that was used instead of coriander; perhaps it works better with cinnamon. It’s 5.3% ABV and I wrote:

Spicy nose that I want to say is like cardamon but must be the cinnamon/chamomile combo. It’s got a nice phenolic-spicy wit character, with a hint of smoke (phenols), which is almost earthy-bitter and there’s a light vegetal squash note which is definitely the pumpkin.

Elysian Brewing Chucky A Killer Wit Beer (pumpkin witbier)

Finally, here is the official press release for Chucky:

Seattle Craft Brewer Releases CHUCKY: A Killer Wit Beer Ahead of Season 2 of “Chucky,” Premiering Wednesday, October 5th at 9 PM ET on USA Network & SYFY

When Elysian Brewing began the seasonal journey to brew its much-celebrated pumpkin beers, things took a surprising turn… for the worse.

*Cue unsettling horror movie music*

The brewery – a typically clean, orderly place – was thrown into chaos one frighteningly memorable brew day. Grain bags slashed open, spilled and spoiled after hitting the floor. Gourd guts and pumpkin seeds coated surfaces in a mushy mess. Someone (or something?) had made its way into a batch of cranberries, splattering the floor in blood-red footprints.

An Elysian brewer set out in pursuit of this unknown menace only to be confronted by their worst nightmare: Chucky. The infamous killer doll wreaked havoc at the brewery only to narrowly escape the brewer’s grasp by jumping into the brew tank. Do we think the beer is now possessed by Chucky? Absolutely.

Nothing screams Halloween quite like Chucky, so Elysian Brewing has partnered with USA Network and SYFY ahead of the second season of the hit TV series to release CHUCKY: A Killer Wit Beer (5.3% ABV). Just like the devious doll, this pumpkin witbier with cranberry will be your friend ’til the very end. Saturated with blood-red cranberry juice and entangled with pumpkin mangled into a puree, the beer is light in color with spine-chilling flavors of chamomile and cinnamon – the perfect combination of everything you love about the season. Are you brave enough to try a haunted beer this fall?

“Just like Chucky is synonymous with Halloween, Elysian’s pumpkin beers have become synonymous with the season. Seeing Chucky’s iconic, freckled face on our cans feels like a match made in… ah… hell,” said Joe Bisacca, Elysian Brewing’s Co-Founder. “This release is exactly what makes brewing pumpkin beers interesting. You can iterate with so many styles using the same common gourd ingredient, like we do with the beers in Elysian’s Pumpkin Variety Pack. CHUCKY: A Killer Wit Beer is super drinkable and light, we think that it’ll be enjoyed by a wide variety of palates. From the blood-red cranberry to the cinnamon notes, this limited-edition wit encapsulates many of the fall flavors our drinkers love.”

CHUCKY: A Killer Wit Beer is a limited release and collaborative beer brewed in celebration of all things Halloween, horror and Season 2 of “Chucky,” a continuation of the iconic film franchise chronicling the murderous escapades of the notorious killer doll. In the TV series, Chucky crosses paths with archenemies, old allies and new prey, as he seeks to inspire fear and mayhem wherever he goes.

“Chucky is one of Halloween’s most iconic, beloved characters and we have found the perfect partner in Elysian Brewing to capture his spirit this season,” said Ellen Stone, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Consumer Engagement and Brand Strategy, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “This custom pumpkin beer provides a fresh, unique way for fans and beer fanatics alike to quench their thirst with a taste of Chucky ahead of the season two premiere.”

CHUCKY: A Killer Wit Beer is available now at select bars and retailers throughout the country. Check the Beer Finder on www.elysianbrewing.com to locate the beer nearest you and tune in to the premiere of “Chucky” season 2 on Wednesday, October 5th at 9:00 PM ET on USA Network & SYFY.

Elysian Brewing Chucky promo image

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