As Halloween fast approaches, St Austell Brewery has the perfect spooky compliment in the form of its new seasonal ale – Bucket of Blood. 

Befitting its name, Bucket of Blood is a red ale, infused with spicy hops and takes its title from St Austell Brewery’s Bucket of Blood pub, in Hayle, west Cornwall. 

Evoking dark deeds in history, folklore has it that the Bucket of Blood pub got its grizzly name after a body was found in the well under the pub 200 years ago. Instead of pulling a bucket of water, the pub’s shocked occupant pulled up a bucket of blood from the well and subsequently found a body, rumoured to be that of the local taxman – even now the victim’s ghost is said to haunt the inn. 

Telesales staff from St Austell Brewery donned Halloween costumes to mark the launch of the new 4.4% Abv ale, which will join the Brewery's award-winning selection of ales in select pubs across the 174-strong St Austell Brewery estate and free trade pubs across the South West. 

Roger Ryman, St Austell Brewery’s head brewer, said: “Bucket of Blood is a really distinctive ale and its spicy flavours are perfect for Halloween and the winter months. This new ale is the latest seasonal brew we’ve developed this year and will join the line up of our award-winning ales at this year’s Celtic Beer Festival on Saturday November 28.”