Holiday Hug Brown Ale

Review Date 1/17/2026 By John Staradumsky

  Style: American Brown Ale   Brewery: Saranac   Country: USA   State: New York   $ Per OZ: $.12 (B)   ABV: 6%

Let’s face it. We all need a little hug now and then. That’s even more true during the holidays, when things can get hectic and even downright stressful. Fear not, dear readers, the FX Matt Brewing Company of Utica, New York has you covered with their Saranac Holiday Hug Brown Ale. This is the second beer that I enjoyed from their 2025 12 Beers of Christmas sampler.

The first brew that I opened from this pack was Holidaze Haze India Pale Ale, leaving Frosty Pils and White Out Pale Ale still to go. More to come on those later. Saranac does not provide information on their website on the individual beers in the sampler, but I can tell you the following.

Saranac Holiday Hug Brown Ale has an alcohol content of 6% by volume and I paid $20.99 for my 12-pack through Half Time, not bad at all for an online purchase. Total Wine had it listed at $16.99 in Greensboro, North Carolina the last time I checked.

Saranac Holiday Hug Brown Ale pours to a dark mahogany color with a thick fluffy tan head and a nose of chocolate chip cookie malts. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body apropos to the style. It features more of the deep-seated chocolate chip cookie notes the nose promised along with toasted nuts and a subtle kiss of molasses. Finishes dry with earthy, grassy hops and a respectable bitterness.

This was a wonderful malty American brown ale, a style I adore and do not see enough of. It was indeed like a holiday hug from an old friend you haven’t seen in far too long, and indeed it has been some time since I had gotten my hands on a Saranac Christmas sampler. Pick one up if you happen to see it, and I am sure you will be as delighted with Saranac Holiday Hug Brown Ale as I was.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??