Tröegs, The Mad Elf Ale
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

With its cartoonish label that boasts an infusion of honey and cherry, we expected a something syrupy that tasted more like melted slurpee than beer. But much to our surprise, the Mad Elf Ale is more reserved than its packaging lets on. The cherry is at the forefront of this bright red beer, but it’s mercifully light on the honey, which keeps the beer from becoming too sweet. And as a holiday bonus, Mad Elf Ale is the strongest of the lot at a surprising 11% ABV. With the cherry flavor there isn’t a hint of alcohol, and the beer goes down dangerously easy. Still, it’s a sweet beer, and having more than one would likely be a bad idea.