War of the Christmas Novelty Ales 2021--Dessert Edition

See previous wars here!

At the liquor store, I noticed a lot of beers that had dessert-like theming just in time for the Christmas season. I thought this would be a fun twist on the usual War of the Christmas Novelty Ales, so I hunted around for as many as I could find. Here they are!

Blackwater Series Nitro Creme Brûlée Imperial Milk Stout by Southern Tier Brewing Company (10% alcohol by volume)--The can is not very descriptive, just calling it an "Ale brewed with vanilla beans and with natural flavor added." The "Nitro" part of the name refers to the canister inside that introduces nitrogen to the beer. Why? The result is much like pouring a Guinness with the cascade of bubbles going down. The beer is dark and rich with the smoothness of cream (another effect of the nitrogen). The sweet vanilla flavor isn't overly saccharine, it's just right. The stout bitterness is just hinted at as the last flavors leave the mouth. This ale is definitely both a dessert and a beer rolled into one.

Blackwater Series Nitro Coconut Truffle Imperial Milk Stout by Southern Tier Brewing Company (10% alcohol by volume)--Another in the line above, this can says it's an "ale with sea salt, dark chocolate and natural chocolate & coconut flavors." It has the same look and feel (cascading darkness and smoothness of cream, thanks in part to the nitrogen cartridge). The chocolate and coconut are well balanced with each other and also with the beer part of the brew. The flavor is even better. This one ends with a little smokiness rather than bitterness. It really gives the impression of being a coconut truffle in liquid form. Yum!

Holy Donut Imperial Stout with Donuts and Toasted Coconut by Lone Pine Brewing Company (10.5% alcohol by volume)--The label says "Holy Donut brewed in collaboration with our friends at The Holy Donut. Crafted using Dark Chocolate Toasted Coconut donuts baked right here in Portland, along with toasted coconut." The can also has a warning on it: "Caution: Beer in can is delicious." The beer is an Imperial Stout with blackness of color and robustness of flavor that often has a coffee vibe. The flavor is considerably lightened by the donut hints and chocolate notes. The chocolate is the strongest of the added flavors. I don't quite get the coconut flavor but there is a toasty/smoky aroma that lingers afterward in a nice way. I like it but it's not outstanding.

Christmas Pancakes by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (9.2% alcohol by volume)--The label calls this an "Imperial Milk Stout with Spices, Honey, and Maple Syrup. Hardywood Christmas Pancakes takes our Gingerbread Stout out for breakfast. We intensify our already decadent GBS with gallons of local maple syrup for a sweet and sticky treat. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?" I have not had their gingerbread stout, so I can't compare the differences. I can say that I do taste the gingerbread base, a nice set of spices to give some color to this inky black stout. The honey and maple syrup take the edge off, making the beer a little thicker and easier on the palate than the usual stout. It's quite delicious and I don't think I need to even try their gingerbread stout. Speaking of which...

Gingerbread Stout by Guinness Open Gate Brewery (6.0% alcohol by volume)--This Baltimore-brewed (I really need to go visit) stout is very modest with its write-up: "This winter treat was brewed with allspice, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon." [but apparently without an Oxford comma] This beer is definitely more of a stout than Christmas Pancakes. The smoky, dark flavor is not covered by the addition of sweeteners. The holiday spices are there but not front and center. It's a nice stout but not outstanding. I probably would have liked it more if I hadn't had pancakes first.

Shoo-Fly Pie Porter by Lancaster Brewing Company (6.2% alcohol by volume)--The label says, " Bringing to mind the flavor of homemade Pennsylvania Dutch Shoo-Fly Pie, we brewed our porter with pure Lancaster County molasses and a colorful array of toasty malts. We then add pure vanilla for a flavor profile that's both smooth and uniquely complex." The porter base is well complimented by the blend of non-traditional flavors. It is very much like a liquid shoo-fly pie. The combination of bitter and sweet works well, like having a cup of coffee or tea with your shoo-fly pie. I like the flavor even if it is not exactly a Christmas treat.