Evil Genius Santa! I Know Him

Santa! I Know Him is a seasonal beer from Evil Genius, brewed in Pennsylvania, and it comes in at 6.0% ABV with a modest 25 IBU. Those two numbers say a lot about how it drinks. Six percent is a little above a standard session beer, so it should have some body and warmth. An IBU of 25 is low, which points to a beer where malt and any seasonal ingredients lead and hop bitterness stays in the background. The details we have don't name a specific style or list spices or fruit, so treat the tasting notes below as what winter seasonals in this range usually deliver, not a measured profile of this beer. Expect a malt-forward character, with bread crust, caramel or toffee, and possibly some gentle spice or dried-fruit sweetness. At 25 IBU there is enough bitterness to keep it from turning syrupy, but not enough to leave a lingering bite. The finish should be smooth and rounded, and the alcohol should add body without tasting hot. Serve it cool, not ice-cold, at roughly 45 to 50°F, which is a few minutes out of the fridge. Colder temperatures mute the malt and spice notes that are the likely draw of a beer like this. A nonic pint glass or a tulip works well. Either one gives the aromatics room to collect, and a slow pour with a decent head helps release them. For food, the malt sweetness and moderate strength suit roasted and savory dishes. Roast turkey or ham, pork with a mustard or fruit glaze, sausages, and baked mac and cheese are all natural matches, since the beer's body can stand up to them without overwhelming the food. Aged cheddar and nutty cheeses also pair well, and so do desserts like gingerbread or baked apples, where the beer's sweetness echoes the dish instead of competing with it.