A few days ago I featured the non-alcoholic Santa Clausthaler on the Beer Advent Calendar, and I mentioned that it’s really good. And it really is, not just when it comes to non-alcoholic beers, but as an overall holiday libation, it works really well. Clausthaler is a German NA brand, though Santa Clausthaler was launched only in the U.S., and the PR agency had sent me bottles to sample. (Details at that link.)

Since I featured it on the calendar, and it’s apropos to the holidays, I thought I’d also run my review notes for the brew.

First off, it’s not just a non-alcoholic beer that’s been spiced; it’s actually half NA beer, half cranberry cinnamon drink (juice?), so it’s helpful to think of this as something of a radler (the revelation I had in writing my notes). As usual for NA beers, it’s less than 0.5% ABV (the legal definition of “alcoholic”) and according to the label it was packaged on June 25.

Appearance: Deep copper with what I swear is a pinkish tint, quite clear, with a nice white head.

Smell: Cinnamon-spiced mulled cider nose, sweet juice, a grainy note that’s toasty and mellow. Appetizing, warming, did not expect that frankly, really nice.

Taste: Pleasantly spicy with a mellow sweetness that reminds me of ginger ale—if you swap out the ginger for cinnamon. Maybe something like a cinnamon radler, without the sour ale component? It’s tasty and enjoyable, and as far as the NA beer portion goes, I get a touch of grainy “wort” like flavor but it actually works well with the other flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light, lightly lingering spice, fairly dry finish.

Overall: Not what I expected at all in the context of other non-alcoholic beers I’ve been reviewing lately, but it’s very good and one I’d drink more of if I’m looking for that NA option.

Cheers and merry Christmas!