Today’s beer comes from Florida’s most talked-about brewery, Cigar City Brewing, and perfectly fits into their lineup of big, expressive, unusual beers: Sugar Plum Brown Ale. This is a brown ale brewed with generous amounts of spices to 5.5% alcohol by volume.

Cigar City Brewing’s official celebration of Christmas. A rich-bodied brown ale forms the stage for holiday flavors which dance a festive ballet highlighted by pirouetting leaps of Christmas inspired spices. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, rose hips and chamomile compliment the subtle chocolate and light coffee notes of the malt and the addition of roasted carob and chicory complete the performance. Brewed once a year to celebrate the Christmas season. Pair with fresh cracked nuts, fruit cake and share with friends and family. Merry Christmas from the CCB family!

The label mentions fruit as well as the spices and while fruit isn’t specifically listed above, it’s fair to guess that plums are added to the beer as well (though historically “sugar plums” weren’t necessarily literally plums). Overall the description makes me think of a spiced plum pie which sounds delicious.

As a bonus, pair this with Nutcracker Ale to enjoy a Christmas ballet-themed beer tasting!

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: B. RateBeer: 3.64/5, 93rd percentile.