The fourth annual release of Santa’s Cookies Imperial Milk (and Cookie) Stout, a collaborative effort by Hailstorm Brewing and The Open Bottle in Tinley Park (Chicago), arrives this weekend, on November 30th.

Since its first release in 2016, Santa’s Cookies popularity has grown and expanded to include variants, which is good news because part of the proceeds of the beer goes towards the Tinley Wish Foundation, who help local, needy families.

You can purchase the beer at the release party, starting at noon on Saturday, November 30th, at both The Open Bottle (7101 W. 183rd Street) and Hailstorm Brewing (8060 W. 186th Street).

New for 2019, Santa’s Cookies comes in cans instead of the wax-sealed bottles. Bisch noted, “You’ll be getting four single-servings (12 oz. cans) for the same price as previous years’ 22oz bottles ($14.99), which is more than twice the amount of beer for the same price!”

Each year, the Imperial Milk Stout remains the same. However, “every year, we add adjunct to mimic a fun cookie,” explained Hailstorm Brewing assistant head brewer, Steve Miller.

This year’s Santa’s Cookies draws inspiration from hot chocolate and cookies with ingredients comprised of hot chocolate mix, vanilla and marshmallows. And, for those that want a boozier, more adult-style cookie, there’s a Bourbon Barrel Aged (BBA) version, too, aged eight months in Buffalo Trace Barrels.

In fact, “starting this year and moving forward, we plan to always release a non-barrel aged version and a barrel-aged version of that year’s beer,” said Patrick Bisch, who along with his wife Julia, founded and manage The Open Bottle.

The Barrel-Aged version will be available on draft and 4-pack cans ($38.99).