Recommending the television show What We Do in the Shadows has become a regular part of my conversations with people. Developed from the film of the same name, WWDITS is one of the best new comedy series to debut in recent years. Throwing the sophomore slump cliché out the window, the second and most recent season is absolutely hilarious, and earned an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy nomination. They’ve somehow created a hilarious vampire television show that does not lean on shticks or gimmicks, and have developed characters who, despite killing humans, are sympathized with and cheered on. 

A considerable amount of time has been spent enjoying a beer while enjoying the show, so the next step is obviously to pair these oddball characters to a good brew.

Nandor the Relentless

Reign in Blood | All Rise Brewing Co. 

 

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A post shared by All Rise Brewing Co. (@allrisebrewing) on Jun 15, 2019 at 12:53pm PDT

Stats: 5.3% ABV, crepe paper not included

Having twice turned the Euphrates River “red with blood” during his time as an Ottoman Empire soldier, Reign in Blood from All Rise Brewing Co. seemed apropos for Nandor the Relentless. A Kettle Sour with lots of raspberry, this beer is both tart and sweet at the same time, much like Nandor. As a viewer, you know that he pillaged villages and murdered innocent people, yet his sweet nature shines through in moments.

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Laszlo Cravensworth

Elder Secrets of an Ancient Past | Hop Butcher for the World

 

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A post shared by Hop Butcher For The World (@hopbutcher) on Sep 25, 2019 at 7:55am PDT

Stats: 7.5% ABV, must yell Bat! before drinking

Laszlo Cravensworth may have the most storied past of the main characters, and at least once an episode, he reveals something shocking. Elder Secrets of an Ancient Past from Hop Butcher for the World is a full-bodied Double IPA, brewed with El Dorado and Vic Secret hops. With notes of pineapple, orange, and pine, it is a complex beer with a lot going on. As someone who was revealed to be Jack the Ripper in an offhand comment, Elder Secrets is certainly fitting.

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Nadja

Duchesse de Bourgogne | Brouwerij Verhaeghe

 

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A post shared by Death & All Her Friends (@deathnherfriends) on Jul 13, 2020 at 12:52pm PDT

Stats: 6.2% ABV, ideally served to you by Gregor

Nadja is a woman with a history of lovers and a maternal instinct towards a young woman she turns into a vampire in the first season, while still always ready with a biting comment. The Duchesse de Bourgogne is a West-Flemish red brown ale of mixed fermentation. Brewed with roasted malts and hops with low bitterness, it is further matured after the initial fermentation and lagering in oak casks for many months. The end result is sweet and fruity, with enough acidity to balance the sweetness out, much like Nadja.

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Guillermo De la Cruz

La Piña De Mis Ojos | 5 Rabbit Cervecería

 

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A post shared by 5 Rabbit Cervecería (@5rabbitbrewery) on Mar 27, 2017 at 6:04pm PDT

Stats: 7% ABV, Van Helsing-approved

Guillermo De la Cruz is Nandor’s familiar, and is often one to feel sorry for throughout the first season, though he comes into his own more during the second season. La Piña De Mis Ojos from 5 Rabbit is a Kettle Sour and was inspired by Tepache, a fermented Mexican beverage. Just like Tepache, it was fermented with pineapple rind and juice, and the result is endlessly refreshing. Nandor is the apple of Guillermo’s eye, or in this case, the pineapple, and following Guillermo’s journey is one of the best parts of the show.

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Colin Robinson

Helles | Dovetail Brewery

 

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A post shared by Dovetail Brewery (@dovetailbrewery) on Jul 8, 2019 at 11:54am PDT

Stats: 4% ABV, watch your energy levels

An energy vampire, Colin Robinson somehow brings a lot of life into WWDITS. Much like the Helles Lager from Dovetail, you expect something rather traditional, and your expectations are far surpassed. This Lager is a bit richer than some other Lagers, and far more flavorful. Brewed with Saphir hops, it is refreshing with notes of floral and citrus. Serving as a straight man to the antics of the other vampires in the home, Colin Robinson is a nice change of pace to Nandor, Nadja, and Laszlo. With such a surge in big beers lately, having a Dovetail Helles Lager in the fridge is your Colin Robinson to your Milkshake Double IPA’s.

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Jackie Daytona

Toole Avenue | Borderlands Brewing Co.

 

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A post shared by Borderlands Brewing Co. (@borderlandsbrewing) on Jul 11, 2020 at 1:15pm PDT

Stats: 7.0% ABV, do not drink at girls’ volleyball games

Without giving too much away, Jackie Daytona is a lad from Tucson, Arizona, who Laszlo has a connection with. Showing up mid-season two, the bottle episode with Jackie Daytona is one of the best episodes of television I have seen in a long time. A flagship beer from a great brewery in Tucson, the Toole Ave is a New England style IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. Hazy and juicy, there are citrus notes and a bite at the end. Just like Mr. Daytona, it stays with you ― I remember having this beer in February 2018 while visiting Tucson, and I will certainly remember Jackie two years from now.

Do yourself a favor and bring more joy into your life with a binge of the first two seasons of What We Do in the Shadows. Ideally with a delicious craft beer in hand.

Featured Image (What We Do in the Shadows Cast) | Photo Credit Courtesy of WWDITS Instagram

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