Luke Pernotto

The gifts have been open, the tree now peaks behind a mountain of wrapping paper waiting for the recycling bin and in the chaos of the season you have realized your fatal mistake: you only have AA batteries for new toys that demand AAA. Knowing that no store is open the only thing you to do is accept defeat and crack open a beer named after the one job you failed at today; Santa’s Little Helper.

I first remember going to Pizza Port when I lived in San Clemente. I would make the hike up from the Pier Bowl for a pizza at their Camino Real location. The brewery started as a Pizza restaurant where the owner dabbled in brewing until friends convinced him to add it to his menus. While their pizzas are worth a visit their beers stand well on their own and can be found in several locations across San Diego County. I have also been able to find their beers across the country and even at Antenna America when we lived in Japan. Like most San Diego based breweries they focus on IPAs such as Swamis and Chronic. But come November and December they bring out this Imperial Stout for the holidays.

Initial aroma of yeast wet grains and lightly toasted and slight burnt notes combine to give feelings of sitting around a campfire after a short rain shower. After these initial scents of malt are wisped away there is a light aroma of alcohol. The beer pours a deep ruby color producing a tan head that slowly dissapates. The flavor gives a sweet roasted flavors with medium to medium high attenuation. The sugar sweetness dissipates quickly, but the chocolate and roasted sensation remain on the tounge long after the sip. A very slight beer lace decorates the sides of the glass as the beer is enjoyed. The sweetness deceptively covers the alcohol content of this beer. Hop flavor is detected but stays in the background and mostly is perceived by cutting the malty sweetness at the end of every sip. Very subdued hop aromas and flavor. This would go well with a roasted pork dish and a heavy side such as thick gravy or potatoes. I could also see this as a campfire drink with the smoke of the fire highlighting many of the similar notes in the beer. Regardless of your perception of this beer at 10% the battery dilemma is no longer urgent and just worry about that tomorrow.

Beer Information:
Style: Imperial Stout
Packaging: 16 oz Can, Canned on 10/22/25
Ingredients: Includes chocolate malt, roasted barley and honey malts with Centennial and Cascade Hops. Stats: ABV 10.0%, SRM not listed but estimated at 30-35, IBU not listed but estimated at 30