Illuminated War On Xmas 2Pk is a two-pack of Illuminated Brew Works' white egg nog milk stout, brewed in Chicago, Illinois at 11% ABV. This unconventional seasonal release flips the milk stout concept by delivering a pale-bodied, spice-forward beer built on lactose sugar, Indonesian vanilla beans, Vietnamese cassia bark cinnamon, and nutmeg — earning a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd across nearly 3,000 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: White Egg Nog Milk Stout  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of Chicago, Illinois, building a reputation around experimental and seasonally themed releases. War On Xmas stands apart from conventional milk stouts by using a lighter base that keeps the body from turning heavy and dark, while still relying on lactose sugar for its signature creamy backbone. The spice bill — Indonesian vanilla beans, Vietnamese cassia bark cinnamon, and nutmeg — reads like an actual eggnog recipe, which is precisely the point. The result is a beer that blurs the line between holiday dessert and craft ale, arriving at a deceptively smooth 11% ABV that conceals its strength remarkably well.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm cinnamon and nutmeg dominate the nose immediately, evoking freshly grated baking spices. Indonesian vanilla rides beneath, adding a soft sweetness that rounds out the initial spice hit.

Taste: The entry is silk-smooth and creamy, with lactose sweetness arriving first before giving way to a surge of cassia bark cinnamon at mid-palate. The spice intensity is substantial — closer to a pumpkin spice profile than a traditional eggnog, with nutmeg and vanilla layering in at the peak. Despite the 11% ABV, the alcohol stays hidden behind the sweetness and spice.

Finish: Medium in length with a thin but silky body that doesn't linger as heavy. Residual warmth from the cinnamon and a gentle lactic sweetness carry through the close.

How to Drink War On Xmas

This beer drinks best slightly below room temperature — around 45–50°F — to let the spice aromatics open up without muting the vanilla. Pouring into a snifter or tulip glass concentrates the nose and showcases the pale color that makes this stout so unusual. While it stands on its own as a sipper, it also works in beer cocktail applications: try it in a Beer Nog blended with a splash of bourbon and a dusting of fresh nutmeg for an amplified holiday drink; in a Stout Float with vanilla bean ice cream where the lactose base and spice create an indulgent dessert; or in a Hot Buttered Beer gently warmed with butter, brown sugar, and a cinnamon stick to lean fully into the seasonal character.

Best For

• Holiday beer tastings featuring seasonal and spiced releases
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who collects unusual stout styles
• Pairing alongside a Christmas or Thanksgiving dessert course
• Sharing at a small gathering where a conversation-starting beer is welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does War On Xmas taste like? War On Xmas delivers a sweet, creamy profile driven by heavy cinnamon and nutmeg spice, with Indonesian vanilla and lactose sugar providing a smooth, dessert-like backbone. The 11% ABV is well-hidden beneath the bold spice character.

How does War On Xmas compare to Southern Tier Pumking? Both beers share a high ABV and prominent baking-spice profiles, but War On Xmas is a white milk stout built on lactose and eggnog-inspired flavors, while Pumking is a pumpkin ale with a sweeter, squash-forward base. War On Xmas leans more toward cinnamon and vanilla, whereas Pumking emphasizes pumpkin and brown sugar.

Is War On Xmas good for sipping neat? Yes — the smooth, creamy body and concealed alcohol make it an excellent slow-sipper, especially when poured into a snifter at around 45–50°F to let the spice aromatics fully develop.

Where is War On Xmas made? War On Xmas is brewed by Illuminated Brew Works in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery is known for creative, seasonally inspired releases that push beyond conventional style categories.

What foods pair well with War On Xmas? Pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie, where the shared spice notes create harmony; gingerbread cookies, which echo the cinnamon and nutmeg; creamy brie or Camembert, where the lactose richness complements soft cheese; spiced nuts with brown sugar glaze; and bread pudding with vanilla sauce for a full dessert pairing.

What sizes does War On Xmas come in? This release is sold as a two-pack, making it suitable for sharing or for enjoying one fresh while cellaring the second.

Is War On Xmas worth the price? War On Xmas positions as a specialty seasonal release from a smaller Chicago brewery, and its unusual white egg nog milk stout format at 11% ABV places it in limited-release craft territory where the distinctive recipe justifies a higher per-unit cost compared to widely distributed holiday beers.

Why War On Xmas?

The white egg nog milk stout category barely exists, and War On Xmas essentially defines it — a pale-bodied stout brewed with lactose, Indonesian vanilla beans, Vietnamese cassia bark cinnamon, and nutmeg that tastes more like spiked eggnog than beer. That singularity is its strongest asset. With nearly 3,000 Untappd ratings and a 3.7 average, it has built a reliable following among seasonal beer hunters. For anyone seeking a holiday release that genuinely departs from the dark, roasty stout template, this is one of the few that delivers on that promise without sacrificing drinkability at 11% ABV.