Imagine if you will its night with the moon 🌖 half full and you enter a seemly abandoned old mansion 🏚️. As you push open the heavy old doors they creak open. The air grows colder, and the scent of musty mold & decay hangs heavy around you as you step through and the floors begin to creak. Its walls were dark, except for a few flickering candles that danced in the wind. Seemingly it reveals to be a place caught between realms— purgatory. You can tell many souls have lingered here, striving for final purification. The low light flickering candles illuminated spectral figures—the penitent widow, the remorseful soldier. The grand hall held judgment, flames consuming earthly stains of sin. “Foolish Mortals!”, you hear as your stomach drops to the floor by the sound of the deep ghostly voice. “Are you not ready to raise your chalice for your brothers!” Your body cannot move as feel the weight of something holding you down. And suddenly, you awake and it’s daylight and everything was new. At that moment you knew you were in some supernatural dream—we have just glimpsed the threshold. Purgatory was not damnation but a bridge to holiness. Souls ascended toward eternal union with God.
Now let’s enter the realum of the Requiem and raise our glasses to the convergence of the traditional Catholic rite, memory of those we pray for, and the trust that we will be reunited in the End. Below lies Brauhaus’s harmonious hat 🎩 tip to the famous Dead Guy Ale with the heartfelt brew of Requiem Ale 🍺 , and the sacred observance of All Souls’ Day:
Rating: 94
Style: Maibock
ABV: 6.8%
Amidst the cacophony of hop-forward IPAs, there exists an icon—a beer that transcends trends and pays homage to tradition. Truly, it gives you the spine chill and the scent of a nice ride on Haunted Mansion at Disney. That beer is Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale.
Origins and Inspiration
The tale begins in the early 1990s, a nod to the Mayan Day of the Dead on November 1. But Dead Guy Ale isn’t bound by ancient calendars; it carves its own path through time and is available all year long, if you dare to find it…
Bier Review of Dead 💀 Guy
- Appearance: A deep honey hue, with a subtle haze. The head, like fleeting memories, leaves a trace.
- Aroma: Boozy sweet heavy malt notes with the perfect balance of hops like an IPA but not an IPA if that makes sense. It’s hard to explain this one because there’s no kind like it. To paint the picture, it’s reminiscent of cherished deep conversations around a campfire 🔥 with the Aroma of dirty laundry 🧺 or a haunted house 🏚️ while being highly drinkable that will keep you craving more as your plate warms up to it.
- Flavor: Surprisingly light on the palate, despite its sweetness. The alcohol content (6.8% ABV) dances with small-bubble effervescence. As you sip, the sweetness yields to a crescendo of bitter hops, lingering for about 15 seconds. Residual malty, honey, and toffee notes complete the symphony as the high Maltiness and Hoppyness shake hands perfectly here.
Seelos Brauhaus and Requiem Ale
Now, let’s intertwine the threads of the Roman Latin tradition and fraternity. Enter Seelos Brauhaus, a homebrew club that takes a different twist on the Day of the Dead. Instead of the Mayan tradition, they honor All Souls’ Day—a Catholic observance that transcends cultures and centuries.
Embark on a solemn journey remembrance with “Requiem, sacred libation paying homage to our dearly departed, where the Latin chant of “Requiem aeternam dona eis” beseeches eternal rest for departed souls. Crafted with reverence and respect, this Helles Bock transcends mere strong drink to become a vessellfor both contemplation and commemoration.
All Souls’ Day: A Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
- Purpose: On November 2nd, the Church invites us to remember and pray for the souls in Purgatory. These faithful departed souls, though assured of eternal salvation, undergo purification. Their imperfections are gently cleansed, preparing them for the fullness of Heaven.
- History: Originally celebrated in the Easter season, All Souls’ Day found its place on November 2. St. Odilo of Cluny, in the tenth century, decreed this solemn day in Benedictine monasteries. Over time, it spread across the entire Church.
Requiem Ale: ☠️ An Act of Mercy ☠️
As Seelos Brauhaus crafted Requiem, she wanted a beer that transcends mere libation. It’s a vessel for not only the memory and repose, but an instrument for the living to give mercy to all souls who need it in the afterlife. In fact, it’s an Ale brewed with the mission of Mercy. And, may those who have passed that are connected to the Seelos Brauhaus fraternity will find their legacy celebrated and prayed for in each sip.
As far as the recipe, the beginning blueprint for Requiem is found in Rouge Brewery’s Dead Guy Ale. While the actual recipe for Dead Guy is a secret, here at Seelos we created our own inspiration for November 2nd, a Christian take. We maxed out our equipment due to the high grain bill, we infused hops after the boil with a whirlpool (never done before by our brewers). Like Dead 💀 Guy, it’s a German Maibock which gives a nod out Blessed Fr Seelos and out other favorite brew styles.
As we raise our glasses to Requiem Ale, let us remember:
- The souls in Purgatory, undergoing their sacred journey.
- The dust from which we came and to which we shall return.
- The hope for everlasting life, joined with Jesus.
O my Jesus, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy Mercy! Amen. 🍻🕊️🙏.
Daniel Weimer, Brewmaster
