Oh, we see it coming. Right around Dec. 12 you’ll start to fade. You’ll be at your wit’s end from several weeks of shopping, eggnog and Mariah Carey singing, “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Take a break from the madness! Flee the mall and meet your friends at Tacoma Brewing Company’s Black Sun Russian Imperial Stout bottle release party Saturday, Dec. 12. The Stout screams the holidays, in Russian of course. The refined Russian Imperial Stout was aged in JP Trodden bourbon barrels for more than 18 months. The big beer is balanced by a light mouthfeel, low sweetness level and very little alcohol burn. Flavors of cherry, chocolate, malt, molasses, oak and port wine will dance on your tongue, with bourbon as the drum major.

Be sure to bring some wrapping paper and bows as each bottle was printed by hand, meaning no two bottles are alike. “Here honey, this gift was especially made for you,” you’ll mumble Christmas morning, as you stayed up late the night before watching the Black Sun set.

Tacoma Brewing founder Morgan Alexander will be celebrating his brewery’s third anniversary Dec. 12. In addition to the 22-ounce Black Sun bottles under the tree, Alexander will tap four variations of Black Sun made with coffee, chili, licorice and cocoa nib. Guests may purchase a limited edition taster glass, which comes with six tasting tickets for $20. Additional tickets may be purchased for $1. Special guest beers will also be on tap. The Rolling Crust will roll up with their portable wood fired oven for handmade pizzas. Tell Alexander you’re in on Facebook.

It’s like Christmas for beer drinkers. Yeah, we said it.

BLACK SUN RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT RELEASE PARTY, noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, Tacoma Brewing Company, 625 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, no cover