There are few things that I like more than french toast – beer being one of them. Thankfully, I’ve found a beer that combines my love for french toast and my unwavering affinity for beer.

I give you the Xocoveza (“SHO-CO-VAY-ZA”) by Stone Brewing.

Xocoveza is a winter spiced mocha stout. The beer is the brainchild of Chris Banker, a homebrewer. He entered his Mexican hot chocolate inspired beer in Stone’s homebrewer competition. After winning, the beer was mass produced by Stone in 2014. Since then, the demand for this seasonal stout has been so high it has continued to be produced every holiday season.

Tasting

The Stone Brewing 12-ounce bottle with teal and festive stars on the label pours a dark opaque brown stout with a quarter inch of tan head.

The smell of nutmeg and cinnamon is an immediate slap in the face. There are also some faint hints of pepper.

First taste is a complex mix of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and a twinge of fruity pepper flavor. There are so many flavors but it is really well balanced and down-right enjoyable. There’s no heat despite the presence of pepper in the brewing.

If you don’t drink this beer immediately and let it warm closer to room temperature, the flavor will evolve from a french toast-esque blend of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg to a more milk sugar sweet and pasilla peppers profile.

Every time I see this beer on the shelves I’ll buy it. It’s yet another reason to look forward to the holidays.