‘Witches Brew’ Ale bubbles up again at the veteran-owned brewery and taproom paying homage to the first brewers.

EAT & DRINK

On Saturday, Talisman Brewing Company announced the release of their annual Witches Brew. The Ogden-based small batch craft brewery has been making the seasonal ‘Hocus Pocus’ ale for five years and it has become one of their most popular beers. It is now available on draft or bottled for a limited time this Halloween season.

The Kolsch-Style ale brewed with fall spices, orange zest, and cranberries is the creation of husband and wife owners Dusty and Joann Williams.

“Women used to dominate the beer industry,” the company stated on their social media pages. “Up until the 1500s it was women who were known for brewing. It was typical to see women in tall pointy hats at the local markets, and cauldrons in their yards,” to indicate that they had beer for sale. But after rumors about potions and poisons began to fly, they explained, women became too fearful of witchcraft accusations to continue to brew.

In honor of these early brewesses, the women at Talisman Brewing get together every fall and proudly brew up one of their most beloved beers—the Witches Brew.

Women at work in the brewery. Images provided by Talisman Brewing

The taproom at Talisman Brewing is a cozy intimate space to try craft brews, or purchase them to-go, where patrons are welcome to bring in their own food or order takeout from one of the restaurants nearby. There is often a food truck, announced on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Tours are also available.

Talisman Brewing is located at 1258 Gibson Avenue in Ogden. They are open Monday through Thursday 3-8 p.m., Friday 12-10 p.m., and Saturday 12-9 p.m. Closed Sundays.