Stocking Up for Christmas: Best of the brews
Marston'sMarston's Ugly Sisters is brewed using golden promise malt and fuggles and goldings hops , while Jennings' Redbreast "drinks with a full flavour and warming glow". Both are available from December 3 until the end of the festive season, and are 4.5 per cent ABV.
Greene KingGreene King's festive seasonal beer is going to be Abbot Reserve, which is a super-premium version of Abbot Ale. The 6.5 per cent ABV beer has been brewed especially for the festive season and is a great winter warmer. It is available in the on-trade only from November 1 to December 31.
"A distinctive, full-bodied, smooth and mature beer, Abbot Reserve is bursting with fruit cake and toffee flavours," says John Bexon, Greene King's head brewer. "This rich, malty beer is perfect on its own or can be enjoyed with full-flavoured foods such as mature cheese and rich pasta dishes."
HydesThe last of the Manchester brewer's seasonal craft ales this year will be Atomic, which according to a spokesperson is "a rich, dark, warmer with a hint of spice and fruit at 4.9 per cent ABV". Joining it in time for Christmas is Rockin' Robin, weighing in at 4.6 per cent ABV.
Adnams The Suffolk brewer is offering a 4.5 per cent ABV beer named Yuletide. PR and community project manager Emma Hibbert says: "It's our first specific winter or Christmas beer for many years. It will be on sale from early November until the end of December."
Shepherd Neame Sheps is revisiting its 4.5 per cent ABV Original Porter, which is described as "a rich full-flavoured beer with an underlying liquorice note" and reaches pubs on draught from early November.
Everards The Leicestershire brewer is relaunching cask ale Sleighbell, which has become its most successful seasonal ale. Available from November 19 until the end of December in nine-gallon casks, the 4.5 per cent ABV beer is described as a rich copper ale.
Cains Managing director Sudarghara Dusanj says his firm's Victorian Beer, available for the duration of December, is "wonderful, and a very good seller". He adds: "At six per cent it's a real winter warmer."
Caledonian The Edinburgh brewer is going one better than most seasonal pump clips this year, with flashing lights on each clip for its Santa's Little Helper beer. Dr Robert Burton, Caledonian's director of production, explains why this offering is a little lower in ABV than traditional Christmas beer:
"The beer was named because traditionally, most Christmas beers have a higher ABV, whereas at 3.9 per cent this beer offers the flavour but not the strength, so even if you have enjoyed a few pints you can still dress the Christmas tree and wrap the presents!"
Robinson'sAlso available for December is the annual Christmas ale from Robinson's, Mr Scrooge, at four per cent ABV.
Some well-known alternatives...
GuinnessDiageo will be investing more than £3m in Guinness in the lead-up to Christmas. The activity, which will include a new advertising campaign, aims to increase consumer awareness of the brand and drive further footfall into pubs.
The drinks giant is also rolling out Guinness Red, a smoother, sweeter Guinness, which uses lighter roasted barley for a rich ruby-red colour.
Paul Cornell, Guinness marketing manager for Diageo GB, says: "We've increased our marketing spend on Guinness in the lead-up to Christmas again - £3.2m versus £2.1m last year. For licensees to further capitalise on this opportunity, it's important they are serving quality pints of Guinness, using the two-part pour, to ensure repeat business."
WKDBack by popular demand, Beverage Brands has cooked up some new WKD Turkey Head kits as part of its festive promotional activity.
WKD teams will also be visiting outlets, to chat to drinkers and demonstrate their WKD side, and they'll be taking Polaroid photos to hand out to pub-goers.
Free WKD Mini Santa Hat Christmas display kits will be available from December 3 while stocks last. Call the WKD PoS hotline on 0800 917 3450.
Weston's ciderThe Herefordshire cider-maker is bringing out a new gift pack in both the on-- and off-trade for the festive season. Each pack will contain a bottle of Henry Weston Vintage Reserve, Weston's Organic and Weston's 1880.
It will also be relaunching its low-alcohol cider Stowford LA and adjusting the ABV from one per cent to 0.5 per cent ABV, following customer feedback
