Brewer: I Bought All the Count Chocula to Make Beer

For some people in Fort Collins, the annual arrival of Count Chocula cereal is a highlight of the year. So when shoppers in the Colorado town went searching for the monster-themed marshmallow delicacy, they were perturbed that they couldn't find it at either of the local Albertsons locations. "Every year I greatly look forward to the month of October when I can purchase a few boxes of this delicious chococlatey [sic] goodness," Kristen Clark wrote to the Coloradoan, adding that even though she's a "vegetarian and organic food eater," she gives that up at Halloween to get her Chocula fix. The culprit has finally stepped forward: Black Bottle Brewery admitted it scooped up the entire Chocula supply from two Albertsons stores to concoct the next variety in its Cerealiously beer series.

Previous potent potables in the beer maker's series have been created using Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams, and Reese's Puffs. "We did it as a joke at first, but the beer turned out well," the general manager of the brewery, which also makes lagers, ales, and IPAs with such quirky names as "Social Insecurity" and "Bugger Off," tells the Coloradoan. Cerealiously Count Chocula is due for release Oct. 30. There is good news for chocoholic Clark, though: The manager says he's got some of the cereal still stashed away. "I might have to award her a box," he says. As for others vying for the vampire victuals: The Coloradoan confirms at least one store in the area still has "plenty." (Better it goes into the beer: Kids are apparently getting too many vitamins from breakfast cereal.)