Santa Claws Imperial Stout with Cinnamon Buns

Review Date 1/12/2026  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Spiced Ale   Brewery: Fat Orange Cat   Country: USA   State: Connecticut   $ Per OZ: $.42 (B)   ABV: 9.1%

Welcome, friends, to another review of a fine beer from the Fat Orange Cat Brewery of North Haven, Connecticut. This is my third holiday brew from Fat Orange Cat, the other two being Fat Orange Cat Winter Warmer and The Airing of Grievances New England Style India Pale Ale. For some reason, I was thinking Santa Claws was an IPA also, but that notion was quickly dispensed with as soon as I poured the inky black beer into my glass.

That’s because Santa Claws is an Imperial Stout with Cinnamon Buns, as clearly explained on the label. I should have read that, but I didn’t, so there you go. Be that as it may, this was a delicious beer indeed.

Fat Orange Cat Santa Claws Imperial Stout with Cinnamon Buns has an alcohol content of 9.1% by volume and I paid $8.99 for a single pint can at Total Wine where it was selling for $26.99 a 4-pack.

Fat Orange Cat Santa Claws Imperial Stout with Cinnamon Buns pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a nose of cinnamon, vanilla, and subtle roast. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body but I want just a bit more. Dark chocolate is here, and the abundant cinnamon spice and to a lesser degree vanilla definitely impart the cinnamon bun notes complete with the swirls. There’s a big dry spicy cinnamon finish at the last with just a bit of roast.

I very much enjoyed Fat Orange Cat Santa Claws, but was left with the feeling that with more body this could be a world beater. Price is the other concern here, $27 a 4-pack is just way too much. I give the beer 4 stars for style (spiced imperial stout/dessert beer), and I am lumping it in with my spiced ale reviews since the cinnamon spice really dominates here. A half star off for the high price, too. That said, I would rink the beer again, especially if I saw it on tap at Taco Mac.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??