Spooky season is here, and with it, a slew of fantastic Halloween-themed functions is on offer to the Fayetteville community. Each year, Dirtbag Ales Brewery has secured its spot as a tried and true source of spooky fun, and this year promises to be no different.
Kicking off the spooky week on Oct. 22, Dirtbag Ales will be playing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album in the tap room from start to finish, beginning at 7 p.m. Dirtbag Ales collaborates with a company from Raleigh called No Skips for this event. The organizer will bring custom activity coloring sheets, crafted by an artist in Durham, and share some trivia and facts about the album.
The annual Ghost and Goblin Beer Mile Run, sponsored by Rogue Alpha Athletics, is a yearly costume-filled good time. Participants are encouraged to run, jog, walk, or even crawl the one-mile course while enjoying four ten-ounce Dirtbag Ales brews. Non-drinkers and those under the age of 21 are also invited to participate and swap the beers for water.
The event will be held on Oct. 25. Check-in will be at 2 p.m., and the first wave will start at 2:15 p.m.
Tickets are $35, and participants who sign up before Oct. 20 at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/HopeMills/GhostGoblinsBeerMile will receive a free t-shirt.
Jesse, a bartender at Dirtbag Ales, is the king of seasonal costume wearing, according to Shannon Loper, Operations Manager at Dirtbag Ales. He wins annually for his most unique choice of costumes created from found objects.
“Let’s just describe Jesse as an eccentric rambler world traveler,” Loper said. “He came in as a ghost, and it was a sheer curtain that was left in the attic of his rental home.”
The same year, he also dressed up as a wizard. Jesse assembled that costume by wrapping a towel around a cowboy hat, borrowing his wife’s robe, and using a chopstick for a wand.
“Jesse took a lot of awards for staff costumes,” Loper explained.
Beer Mile participants are encouraged to come out and, like Jesse, dress for the season.
Later that evening, once it is dark enough to turn on the projector, Dirtbag Ales will be hosting the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Nosferatu. The event usually draws around 200 people.
“We love that event every year,” said Loper.
The 1922 German silent horror film will be projected on a large screen inside the tap room, accompanied by a symphonic performance of the musical score.
“My favorite thing that we do is Nosferatu, Loper said. “It makes the symphony more accessible to people; they feel like it’s easier to come to the brewery. … so, it just makes people realize how great our local symphony is.”
Attendees can also enjoy a selection of seasonal special brews at these events, including Marzen Attacks (a Marzen-style beer), Rising Sun (a new rice lager), Alt Beer (a darker German-style ale), and Blacktoberfest (a Marzen-style beer).
The following day, the brewery will be hosting its eighth Trick-or-Treat Farmer’s Market. Tickets for the event are $5 and can be purchased only in the taproom. Approximately 60 vendors will participate, and they will distribute candy immediately after the market. Tickets are limited, and they do sell out.
Dirtbag Ales is located at 5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills. For additional information, readers can contact the brewery at info@dirtbag.com, visit the brewery’s Facebook page, or call 910-426-2537.