Judge's Review: 87 Rating - Chanukah, Hanukkah: Pass the Beer by Shmaltz Brewing Co.

Chanukah, Hanukkah Pass the Beer by Shmaltz Brewing Co. is a dark ale brewed with chocolate, which is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (category 30A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beers are beers brewed with spices, herbs, and/or vegetables (typically dubbed SHV). The resulting beer should have the added SHV balanced and complementing the base style. Chanukah, Hanukkah Pass the Beer is brewed with chocolate to go along with 8 malts and 8 hops measuring in at 8 percent ABV.

Chanukah, Hanukkah: Pass the Beer pours black and opaque with a large, fluffy brown head. The aroma is chocolate and roasted malt with lighter ashy notes; there are no hops or esters in the aroma. The flavor is similarly chocolate and roasted malts with hints of added chocolate and a subtle sweetness.  The beer finishes moderately bitter with lingering roasted and chocolate malts.

Chanukah, Hanukkah: Pass the Beer is a pleasant stout-like strong ale but the added chocolate flavor does not stand out enough from the base beer. Regardless, the beer is an enjoyable stout-like strong ale that stands well on its own despite the less-than-desirable chocolate character. Enjoy!