Bob Malay of West Penn Township loads 50 pounds of ram's head mushrooms into his pickup last week in Tamaqua. Malay harvests the crop every year from the base of oak trees near his favorite spot in township woods. Malay says he cleans them, slices them and dips them into a beer batter using Yuengling brand, and finally deep fries the treat in hot oil. According to the site Americanmushrooms.com, the Ram's Head mushroom is also known as Maitake, hen-of-the-woods and sheep's head and is one of the best-known edible wild mushrooms and a fall favorite. DONALD R. SERFASS/TIMES NEWS