War of the Christmas Novelty Ales 2023

See previous wars here.

This year brings another batch of brews made just for yuletide consumption. Here's my sampling....

Fireside Chat by 21st Amendment Brewery, San Leandro, California (7.9 per cent alcohol by volume)--The can's description is simply the following: "Winter Ale with spices and cocoa nibs." The web page is more verbose: "It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, time to gather with family and friends beside a warm fireplace and share some holiday cheer. Our Fireside Chat Winter Ale is warming and delicious, and as the reindeer say, 'like a hug and a kick in the rear at the same time!' We begin with a rich, deep, toffee-colored winter warmer ale and then we hand-select spices and cocoa nibs until we know we have a beer worth sharing. So, no matter how you celebrate, or where you are, grab a spot by the fire and a friend and share the season." This does have the classic winter ale flavor--a dark beverage with a bit higher alcohol content and a bit of a piney, woodsy flavor. The cocoa flavor is subtle but detectable. The spices are stronger but not overpowering or unbalanced with the other flavors in the ale. I can imagine drinking this at a bonfire or on a sleigh ride and adding to the good time. This ale is not outstanding but is a fine winter warmer.

Merry Monkey by Victory Brewing Company, Downington, Pennsylvania (10 per cent alcohol by volume)--The label says, "This Belgian-style Holiday Ale combines the beloved flavor profile of Golden Monkey with notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg to deliver a delightfully smooth finish, perfect for merry gatherings with family and friends." I've never had Golden Monkey, so I don't know how this compares with its predecessor. This does have a light, coppery color that is close to gold. I drinks smoothly with a little bitter aftertaste. The spices are light but detectable, not having any distinct flavor standing out. It leaves a dry feeling, more like a lighter beer, even with the intense percentage of alcohol. This beer is just okay to me and does not have a distinctly holiday taste.

Cookie Exchange Milk Stout by Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio (5.5 per cent alcohol by volume)--The can recommends, "Treat yourself to our seasonal Milk Stout brewed with a special rotating cookie-inspired flavor." According to the web site, this year's flavor is inspired by Caramel Vanilla Shortbread (even if the can looks like sugar cookies).  The beer is very dark looking but not dark tasting. The caramel flavor comes through quite well, which I like very much. The shortbread is more subtle, just hints of vanilla nestled in among the other flavors. It drinks smooth with no bitterness or aftertaste. I find it delightful, though it is more of a dessert beer--it definitely would not go with pizza or burgers! A fine beer all around that makes me curious about previous offerings. What other cookies have they done?

The Mad Elf Grand Cru by Troegs Independent Brewing, Hershey, Pennsylvania (11 per cent alcohol by volume)--The bottle says, "If you know Troegs, you know The Mad Elf - the legendary holiday ale that helped put our little brewery on the map. In your hands is the Director's Cut. Tart Balston cherries make all the difference. Flush with supporting notes of brown sugar, cinnamon and clove, this beer begs to be shared. Take a 4-pack home, gather your friends, and cherish the cherries." I did not share this, in spite of the robust alcohol content. This dark red ale has the smell and the look of the cherries, one of my favorite fruits. The cherry flavor is very tart and has a little hint of the cloying flavor of Sucrets. The beer is warming but not as wonderful as I would wish. I had Mad Elf, the original, in two previous wars (here and here). I think the original is better than this director's cut.

Everything Nice by Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York (9 per cent alcohol by volume)--The bottle only claims, "Strong Blonde Ale With Seasonal Spices and Natural & Artificial Flavor." The web site is more verbose: "Lightly dusted with spices of the season, Everything Nice is a warming, wintry Belgian-style blonde ale. This supremely cozy confection pairs perfectly with any traditional holiday treat. Note the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and white pepper as you sip next to the fireplace. We hope this fresh-baked offering brings warmth and light to you and yours." The color is blonde with a bit of red, so a goldish orange or orangey gold. It has the winter outdoorsy flavor that reminds me of pine. The beer has just a hint of bitterness. This is another beer I picture more at a winter bonfire than with a Christmas dessert. It is nice but not superlative.

Everything Naughty by Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York (9.5 per cent alcohol by volume)--This can has more to say for itself than its nice sibling: "The Naughty Elves were spotted in Cooperstown not long ago full of mischief and mayhem which left us, much to our delight, with an imperial blonde stout; Everything Naughty. A stout that tantalizes the taste buds. Anticipate notes of roasted coffee and white chocolate complete with a brilliant golden hue. This rich stout is smooth and velvety with classic stout flavors. WELCOME TO THE NAUGHTY LIST." Imperial blonde stout is not a combination I have ever run across before, a seemingly contradictory set of flavor expectations. It definitely has the color of a blonde. It has only a touch of IPA bitterness (only the "I" in "IPA"?), the flavor is more tart or sour. It does have a smooth mouth-feel and doesn't taste like it's a 9.5 on the alcohol scale. Someone could be fooled by this beer in many different ways. I like it but don't love it. Being naughty is not all it's cracked up to be.

The Cookie Exchange is the winner this year, and something I will try to find next year, too!

p.s. I am truly, deeply sorry there wasn't a War of the Christmas Novelty Ales last year. Life was too busy to drink!!