We’re almost to the end of the Advent calendar, getting close to Christmas, and Santa Claus is getting ready to load up his sleigh. Naturally he has help doing so, so today’s beer is a nod to the elves and others putting in the time: Santa’s Little Helper, an imperial stout from California’s Port Brewing Company/The Lost Abbey.

This popular seasonal is a hefty 10% ABV and pours dark, rich, and roasty; the brewery says:

Santa knows who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. This is one seriously naughty but nice beer.

Santa’s Little Helper, our Imperial Stout, starts with an emphasis on dark cocoa and roasted coffee aromatics. The finish lends hints of sweet crystal malt, warming tones of alcohol and a touch of hops, making a perfect accompaniment to leftover fruit cake and sugar cookies.

Port also produces a bourbon barrel-aged version of Santa’s Little Helper that releases in July, but would be a terrific beer to age until Christmas. Director of brewery operations Tomme Arthur walks through tasting notes for both in this video:

Also, keep an eye out for variants; based on what I see posted on Untappd, there are versions with coffee and cacao, hazelnut and coffee, vanilla and more. Santa’s Helpers have been busy!

Find Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper on:

• Port Brewing’s Beer Finder
• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
• RateBeer
• Facebook (for The Lost Abbey)

Image credits: Top image, The Lost Abbey’s Facebook page; others, video and website