Day 2 of the 7th Annual Holiday Beer Advent-ure Calendar
Day 2: Avon Brewing Company Christmas MiraCLE
The first new addition to the calendar this year. This beer has been marketed as “Avon’s very own Christmas Ale.” We couldn’t find much out there on it other than it’s made with “local honey, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.” They’re also leaning heavily into the “Christmas Story” branding, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so let’s see if the beer inside the can holds up!
Ben: I always want local beers to be good, but this one is pretty unmemorable for me. Nothing really stands out and the carbonation is a little low as well. You’d think at 9.3% and with a pretty hefty price tag there’d be something special about it, but it’s just ok. Can art is also…a lot.
Julia: Meh, this beer is just meh. There’s nothing particularly memorable about this beer. I taste the basic Christmas Ale spices such as honey, cinnamon and nutmeg but nothing really stands out. I can drink a can of it, but I don’t want to reach for another one. I don’t think I would keep it in the lineup for next year.
Adam: Bready | gingersnaps | sneakabooze | chocolate covered honeycombs | A terrible Christmas movie
Alex: Avon Brewing Company’s Christmas MiraCLE definitely tastes like a holiday beverage. It’s malty, and I can taste honey and “holiday spices,” specifically ginger. It’s 9.3% but I wouldn’t say it tastes overwhelmingly boozy. It’s in a larger can, and I feel like I probably couldn’t drink the entire thing, so half is good for me!
Scott: I’m very partial to Avon brewing beers so it’s no surprise the Christmas Miracle, with all the homerific nods to Cleveland’s Christmas Story, was a hit for me. It’s definitely flavorful and has brighter, sweeter flavors than some of the other popular Christmas ales. I’m not sure I’d need the whole tall boy can but it’s a delicious new addition.
Christa: Christmas Miracle from Avon Brewing had me at it’s can. Bright yellow and commemorating “A Christmas Story”? Sign me up. It has everything a Christmas beer should have: subtle hints of cinnamon, crisp citrus and a pine-y finish. I know it’s only day 2 but this may be a new holiday staple in our home. We love Avon Brewing and I’m so excited it’s living up to it’s much deserved hype.
Tony: Immediately you have to give them points for can design. Love the Christmas Story artwork. However, the flavor falls apart just like the infamous, fragile leg lamp. Maybe I just got a bad can but mine felt kind of flat, as if it was lacking some carbonation. Their description mentions “honey sweetness” and I think they may have been a little heavy handed because it does taste very sweet to me and a little syrupy. Love the can, always want to support local breweries, but the flavor on this one falls a little flat for me.
Megan: Yesterday I was getting all the fall vibes but there is no mistake this is a Christmas beer! The can is an awesome representation of a Cleveland classic, Christmas Story. It has a beautiful dark caramel color and you definitely get all of those classic Christmas spices like cinnamon and nutmeg when taking a whiff.
Brad: Maybe it’s the Moderna booster messing with my head but this beer is just mediocre at best. It says 9.3%ABV which is festive, I guess. I dislike the can design. I’m a Clevelander and love the movie, but the yellow label and font selection screams gross beer to me. Also, please stop it with the 16 oz winter warmers. Most people don’t want to chug down large spiced beers.
Heather: Avon Brewing’s Christmas MiraCLE is… alright. It’s ok. A bit watery, it tastes vaguely festive with what I’m guessing is some cinnamon and nutmeg? The can design is loud so you definitely won’t miss it on the shelf. But with the lineup we have this year, I’m guessing it’s going to be easily forgotten. I give it a 3/10.