When you see a beer label depicting a plastered Santa Claus face down in the snow, you absolutely have to write about it.
While we’re all hoping poor Santa didn’t bust his schnoz, he can rest assured that the fall was well worth it, as his sprawling image on each bottle of Whiskey Scented Santa will mark the beginning of the Christmas season at Charleville Brewing Company in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Right away a beer called Whiskey Scented Santa begs the question, “how did you come up with that name?”
“That’s what hap
pens when a bunch of beer lovers are sitting around the table after a few drinks and someone remembers that smell from when you were a kid and you had to sit on Santa’s lap,” said Tait Russell, director of sales and distribution at Charleville. “And the visual of Santa facedown in the the snow was perfect.”
From that inspiration, Whiskey Scented Santa was born. The Imperial Porter is a heavyweight coming in at 10.5 % ABV so take your time. The beer is aged with whiskey infused oak stave or chips inside stainless steel tanks which allows for more beer to be produced.
“It’s a big beer with a big bourbon flavor that is warm to the tongue,” said Russell. “You’ll detect hints of fruits like raisins, figs and dates and even some chocolate.”
Whiskey Scented Santa, debuts for the 2015 Christmas season on Friday, but it’s been a seasonal favorite as a draft for years. But this year, for the first time, the brew will be available in bottles but only in the Charleville tasting room.
Did someone say #stockingstuffers #BlackFriday Release at the TastingRoom only! No Limit but very limited! pic.twitter.com/LxYAqYycBC
— Charleville Brewing (@CharlevilleBeer) November 18, 2015
“But folks in St. Louis can still enjoy Santa on tap. Starting Friday it will be released at all three International Tap House locations in the Central West End, Soulard and Chesterfield.”
The following week, Whiskey Scented Santa will appear, face-down of course, at The Bridge and Fly Saucer in Downtown St. Louis.
