Thanksgiving hasn't arrived yet, but businesses already have set their eyes on the infusion of cash that is the gift-giving season. Shopping centers have been decorated, holiday musak is unapologetically blaring everywhere and Starbucks began spreading merriment via its themed beverage cups — everyone rejoice.

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. has something craftier and much better: The release of 40 barrels of Gingerbread Stout on Friday. That's roughly 1,200 gallons or about 40 large kegs.

The brewers will be traveling to five of the 95 taverns that will receive at least a five gallon slim cask of the limited supply and host a series of release parties-cum-meet-and-greets. The tour-on-tap begins at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium downtown at noon on Friday and moves to Hay Merchant at 5 p.m., Onion Creek at 7 p.m., the Flying Saucer in Sugar Land at 8 p.m. and concludes at Mongoose vs. Cobra at 9 p.m.

That will be followed by a rowdy yuletide hootenanny at the brewery's Rice Military location on Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m.

"First, it's straight up Christmas in a glass," founder Rassul Zarinfar says about why the recipe has been in high demand. "The aromatics are huge, with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger crawling out of the glass and luring you in.

"These aromatics transport me back to my favorite Christmas memories of being a kid and my mom making gingerbread around the holidays."

The Russian-style, 10-percent alcohol, imperial brew pours an opaque ebony color with a thick creamy head that doesn't need Viagra to stand guard. It measures 23.5 on the Plato scale (density). It's made with oatmeal, lactose and spices, aged in whiskey barrels, and offers taste notes of chocolate and roasted java.

"From a beer nerd's perspective, the recipe itself is fully committed, bold and unapologetic," Zarinfar says. "The spices on top are strong upfront, but they dovetail with elements of the malty mouth-feel. And the flavors all blend together coherently rather than fighting each other — as you often see in spiced beers."

The quantity released doesn't allow for all the 120 taverns that currently carry Buffalo Bayou's brews to acquire a fair share. There won't be a secret stash to replenish the stock of the more popular watering holes, either. That's because Zarinfar is bottling a portion for hardcore beer junkies who want to age it. These bottles may be issued in late December or January, available through D&Q The Beer Station and at Spec's.

"We aged some from last season and now it's straight-up magic," he says.

If that doesn't get the angels to sing, at least it will get them happy — and drunk.

Watch the video above, produced by Paynter Media, and enjoy an entertaining take on the beginnings of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.'s Gingerbread Stout.