‘DON’T Leave Me Stout in the Cold’, ‘Fairytale of Brew York’ and ‘Festive Star’ – just some of the creative names given to this year’s Christmas ales.
As a proud CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale) member and beer-lover, our journalist Tristan Harris was the ideal candidate to give this year’s Yuletide beers a go.
As well as trying to encapsulate those seasonal flavours in a beer, breweries also need to get their thinking caps on to come up with eye-catching names, labels and pump clips for their treasured creations.
Very often ales at this time of year are darker and stronger than during the rest of the year, reflecting not only the season and those cold winter nights, but also that time of indulgence we all enjoy.
Here are some festive ales on offer and where to find them.
Blitzen – Black Sheep Brewery – 4 per cent – This one, available from Morrisons, was billed as ‘being packed with joy, love and festive cheer’. It had a nice aroma and taste – the lower abv meant it was also quite refreshing. However, it could have packed more of a punch. 3/5.
Christmas Porter – Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference – 5.2 per cent – This one’s tasting notes boast dark fruits, plum and chocolate. I also found this one had a liquorice after-taste. It is suggested you leave one out for Father Christmas and, if you were to, I think he would enjoy it. 3/5
Fairytale of Brew York – The Brew York brewery – 4.9 per cent – This gingerbread milk stout, also available from Morrisons, was very impressive. We always associate gingerbread with Christmas time and the flavours were nice. The sweetness meant, however, you would probably only want one or two before moving on. 4/5
Don’t Leave Me Stout in the Cold – TJM brewery – 5 per cent – This, billed as having ‘rich pudding spice and vanilla flavours’, was a very enjoyable beer. It is available from Home Bargains. Make sure you get this in your Christmas ale selection. 4/5
Rosey Nosey – Batemans – 4.7 per cent – This classic comes back every year and has fruity flavours, including raisin and sultana. A good solid session beer but nothing special and it could be more festive. 2/5
Festive Star – Northern Monk – 5.2 per cent – This vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate porter was very rich – a real treat. Northern Monk has been impressing with its craft ales since entering the big stage since 2014 and this seasonal offering lives up to the brewery’s fantastic reputation. 4/5
These are just a few of the festive ales available and there will still be loads more out there to be found and tried. Hook Norton’s Twelve Days and Wychwood’s Bah Humbug (both great seasonal ales) are back again this year and are magnificent mainstays of the festive season. If you love your real ale – and your Christmas beers – happy searching.
And if you are not a Campaign For Real Ale member already, consider joining. CAMRA is one of the most successful consumer organisations in Europe, representing beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK, striving towards its vision to ensure there is quality real ale, cider and perry and thriving pubs in every community. Visit camra.org.uk for more on joining CAMRA and the benefits, including newspapers and magazines about breweries and pubs, beer vouchers and discounts to beer festivals.
