Now that the spooky season of October is in full swing, it is high time I relished in some haunting games and dark beers. What better way to start than a macabre fairy-tale and a heavy metal brew?
Black As Your Soul (Port Wine Barrel Aged)
The creative minds at Adroit Theory Brewing Company regularly experiment with new versions of their flagship beers. As one of the first brews released by Adroit Theory, Black As Your Soul (B/A/Y/S) has seen several iterations, the latest of which features this brooding Russian Imperial Stout aged in Port Wine Barrels.
Spending time in the darkness of a Port Wine Barrel has imparted delicious fruit notes into this boozy beast. The malty taste of chocolate cake with pitch-black ganache is still strong, but jammy flavors of blueberry and raspberry are present in every sip. This version of B/A/Y/S is a well-balanced brew of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and roasted hazelnuts.
Hans is not having a good birthday. Tired of living in poverty with his mother, he throws a tantrum and leaves her to find an adventure. What he discovers is a castle filled with all sorts of strange and horrifying creatures. Now trapped inside this foreboding place, players must guide Hans to discover clues and guess the name of a suspiciously welcoming kobold.
Like other titles from Baroque Decay Games, The Count Lucanor uses the abstraction of pixel art to showcase surreal and sometimes disturbing imagery. At this level of fidelity, my brain filled in the grisly details, making the experience similar to hearing a scary story as a kid and imagining the worst possibilities. Combined with a haunting narrative and tense survival gameplay, The Count Lucanor is a ghoulishly great game for this month of frights.
Have you discovered any new and nightmarish video games to enjoy during the spooky season? Perhaps you have indulged in some dark and decadent beers as well? Let us know in the comments!
Digital Draughts - Video Game and Beer Pairings 