Nothing says “Christmas” quite like gingerbread: gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, gingersnap cookies (one of my favorite Christmas cookies)—there’s something about the combination of ginger and molasses, rich and spicy, that pairs well with the season, evoking warm kitchens, hot chocolate (or eggnog), fresh-cut fir trees, hearty food, and a plate of cookies left out for Santa. In short, gingerbread means holiday tradition.

So today’s beer pick is Bison Brewins’s Organic Gingerbread Ale, to satiate that traditional cookie fix (in a non-traditional way!).

Bison’s ever popular Gingerbread Ale is a delicately spiced holiday porter brewed with ginger, nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon. This medium-bodied ale boasts an intoxicating aroma of fresh baked gingerbread cookies straight from the oven. Well-balanced flavors of molasses, chewy dark malts and holiday spice dominate the palate, leaving behind a smooth, dry spicy finish.

Bison’s Gingerbread Ale will hit all the marks, starting with an incredible aroma that is pure fresh gingerbread (really!), followed up with a roasty, warming body and a satisfying spicy cookie finish. If you leave Santa a bottle along with (or in place of) the plate of cookies, you may well find something extra in your stocking come Christmas morning!

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: 81/100. RateBeer: 3.24/5, 74th percentile.