Yes, day 9.5. I reviewed a beer that got mixed up with my 12 days of Christmas beers. Brown Shugga’ was not supposed to be in the 12 days, but somehow sneaked in. So here it is: This warmer poured up a nice red with a big head on it. I had to take a few breaks in pouring to let the head settle, and after the picture, the head went down to what I best describe as pond scum on the top of the beer. The aroma of this one is sweet, but hints of cinnamon are coming through. That thought alone as I write this makes me not want to drink it. The taste is watery, then spicy, then almost nothing, then spices again. The cinnamon is strong, and their site confirms that taste. Not so sure about ‘combination of these two spices results in a balanced, pumpkin-pie flavor’. I’m not a fan, I am really sorry. I will finish this one, and I would have one if there wasn’t another beer around at a party. On the 9.5th day of Christmas (?!) I had too much to drink and missed a beer!

Specs: 12oz bottle
5.9% ABV
22 IBU

I love how holiday beers seem to have a higher alcohol content than normal. They really do want you to warm up! This one weighs in at 8% ABV with it’s frothy head and black color. The aroma gives off a bit of that higher ABV, along with the chocolate and coffee aromas. The taste is a bit weaker than I had hoped with roasted malts that turn to a lighter bitter coffee taste. It’s not much, but as far as my holiday beer experiences go, this one is up there! On the ninth day of Christmas I got to watch what seemed to be nine hours of the Packers playing the Bears in nine degree below zero temperatures.

Specs: 25oz bottle
8% ABV