So who would win in a battle between Hanukkah beers and Christmas beers?

What's a Hanukkah beer anyway?

The guys over at Max's Taphouse are extending the Jewish holiday through Tuesday night with a little contest to answer that very question.

Hanukkah will be represented by beers from the He'brew beer line of San Francisco-based Shmaltz Brewing.

And on the Christmas side? Not sure, though presumably Scaldis Noel will be part of the line-up.  (Update: below, the full line-up of Christmas beers)

The event is actually organized by Shmaltz, whose founder,  Jeremy Cowan, has just published a new book about the unlikely success of a kosher beer microbrewery from San Francisco.

Cowan founded the company 13 years ago, and in that time has launched six brands under the He'Brew line - Genesis Ale, Messiah Bold, Origin Pomegranate Strong Ale, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A., Rejewvenator, and Jewbelation- as well as the non-kosher Coney Island Craft Lagers line.

Every year he has puts together the Hanukkah vs. Christmas contest, and this year it's part of his book tour for Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah (ha ha, get it? 13 years?).

Max's is one of two Maryland bars chosen to host the tongue-in-cheek event; Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia is the other. 

Representing the Hanukkah team this year are eight recipes of Shmaltz' Jewbelation. In the past, Scaldis Noel, Moylan's White Christmas and Telegraph Winter have "played" for the Christmas team.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Call Max's to reserve tickets in advance. In addition to the contest, Cowan will be signing copies of the book.

Fun fact: So what makes beer kosher? Well, certification by the Kosher Supervision of America for starters, duh. But actually, most beer is already kosher, as it is made from water, barley, yeast and hops.

Photo: Shmaltz Brewing