Pontoon Brewing Brewmaster Chris Baratz Talks Nightmare Fuel

We spoke to Pontoon Brewing Brewmaster Chris Baratz about Nightmare Fuel.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I came up with this one with assistance from the brewing team on the fruit choices. 

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
The strong jammy flavors and the color, which looks like blood!

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
We planned a beer for Halloween Horror Nights in Florida so we wanted to do something spooky that looked like blood.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
This would definitely be a desert island beer! It's extremely drinkable and the ABV is just high enough to only need a couple to get a buzz.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
A jammy sour with big notes of currant, cherries and berries. 

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
We brewed this for Halloween Horror Nights in Florida and moved it up from October to September in order to get it to the park in time. Of course, COVID didn't die down and so when HHN was canceled, we had this very Halloween type beer with no real reason. People loved the label and it worked out but it had us worried for a bit! 

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
This is a perfect beer for a charcuterie board filled with cured salty meats, strong cheeses like bleu cheese and fresh fruit. 

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