Every year in the lead up to the holidays, Parallel 49 releases its Naughty & Nice mixer.

It features two each of four brand new creations from the Vancouver brewery, which are exclusive to the mixed pack.

I wrote about the 2023 version, but not last year’s, so it’s time to revisit the popular holiday release and see what Parallel 49 has cooked up this time.

Photo Credit: @charleswoodbeermarket

For everyone who’s been nice this year, the Toque Berries Berry Double White IPA and Red’s Sled Citra Amber Lager are for you.

Toque Berries is actually a twist-up of the brewery’s popular high-ABV Toques of Hazzard Double White IPA.

Parallel 49 says the added blackberry and raspberry “intertwines beautifully” with the white grape, kiwi and lime aroma from the original beer’s Nelson Sauvin and Citra hops.

Red’s Sled is a lot less complex, but the amber lager is certainly clean and easy-drinking with a hint of biscuit and nuttiness.

The use of Citra hops gives it a delicate citrus and herbal aroma, but don’t expect anything hoppy or bitter when it hits the lips.

Now, if you’ve been naughty, you might be drawn to the other two beers in the pack – the Lil Pug Root Beer Brown Ale and Snowstorm No Coast IPA.

Lil Pug is a classic brown ale blended with root beer spices, although Parallel 49 won’t say what those mystery spices are.

The result, however, is a beer that legitimately tastes like root beer, but one that I found through sharing with friends that it’s hit or miss whether someone will like it or not.

And finally there’s Snowstorm, which is a relatively-standard west coast IPA with a touch of berries and pine that most hop-lovers will enjoy.

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, my advice is to grab this pack and try all four! It’s a great one to share with friends as well.

Josh Duncan is the NowMedia news director and a craft beer lover. Reach him at josh@nowmediagroup.ca. His beer column appears every Saturday afternoon in this space.