Beer of the Week

The beer: Naked Elf

The brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Gone are the cherries, honey and chocolate malt that dress up our holiday favorite Mad Elf, leaving “him” stark-raving nude. It’s all about the bare necessities – malt and yeast – to lend notes of cinnamon, allspice, clove and tangy fruity esters to this classic Belgian-style ale."

Would I buy it again? I've told this story before, but I was not initially a fan of Mad Elf, which was a shame considering how much I enjoy most of their other beers. I did eventually get past that distaste and I do enjoy Mad Elf now, but still, I like it despite the cherry, not because of it. This has no cherry, and while it may be weaker, alcohol wise, the other Mad Elf tastes are fully present and even more forward here. So whisper this in hushed tones — I think I prefer this to the standard Mad Elf. Not by a wide margin, but subtly so. I wish this came in six packs on its own, because I would definitely buy that.

Beer of the Week

The beer: The Great'er Pumpkin

The brewery: Heavy Seas Beer, Halethorpe, Maryland

Description (from the website): "Great’er Pumpkin is a bold, seasonal ale that brings together the rich flavors of pumpkin and autumn spices in perfect harmony. Brewed with real pumpkin and a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, this beer offers a warm, spiced aroma and a smooth, full-bodied taste. The malt sweetness complements the earthy pumpkin flavors, while a subtle hop bitterness balances the richness, creating a well-rounded and satisfying brew. Bourbon barrel aging enhances the profile with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon, making it the ideal choice for those who enjoy the flavors of fall in a beer that’s both flavorful and comforting."

Would I buy it again? This is very good — it's got that deep flavor that comes from the bourbon barrel aging process, it's got pumpkin and cinnamon, it's heavy but still relatively pleasant to drink. I have no complaints about this beer, and if the price was right, I probably would buy it again. That said, I am missing the maple syrup that the Southern Tier imperial pumpkin beer I had last month possessed. That flavor really completed the pumpkin beer profile. Of course, not every heavy pumpkin beer needs maple flavoring, but while this beer is quite good, it's lacking that X factor to make it great.