Festive beer brings festive cheer to pubs
Acorn Brewery has made not one but two festive brews for Christmas. The first, Cracker, is a “light and quaffable” 4.1% ABV ale made lager and Vienna malts together with English North Down and Polish Marynka hops. The second, Noel, has been a popular festive brew since it was first launched in 2003. It is a dark, traditional ale at 4.8% ABV, made with crystal and roasted malt and Williamette hops.
Peerless has released Whiteout, a 3.8% ABV “very pale” ale, as part of its seasonal offer. The beer is made with pale malt and American Columbus and Summit hops and has “pungent aromas of grapefruit and orange with citrus flavours and good bitterness.” It joins three other winter beers from the brewer, Jack Frost Blond (4.1% ABV); Red Rockin’ Robin (5% ABV) and Winter Wallop (6% ABV).
Bath Ales has brought back its Christmas brew, Festivity, for another year. The ruby-coloured 5% ABV porter is brewed with Maris Otter barley, roasted chocolate malt and Challenger and Bramling Cross hops. “Festivity is our take on a winter warmer, a wonderful old style porter; it’s a fittingly festive beer that’s in demand every year,” said Gerry Condell, head brewer of Bath Ales.
Lancashire brewer, Moorhouse, has launched Lap Prancer, an amber coloured seasonal ale. Brewed with Munich Malt, American Cascade and British Fuggles hops, it has a “floral, spicy aroma,” and a long bitter finish. “When Lap Prancer appears on the bar it kicks off the festivities for many pubs, providing some tasty fun for the season,” said managing director David Grant. “It’s a rich and fruity ale that hits the spot for a satisfying pint, but still at moderate strength to sustain those jolly festive evenings.”
Shepherd Neame has launched its 7% ABV Christmas Ale. It is said to be a good match for festive fare such as mince pies, Christmas pudding and strong cheeses. “There’s a spicy signature to this incredibly complex cockle-warming winter ale,” said beer writer Beer McFarland. “The nose is reminiscent of raisins, dates and molasses while there’s a hint of rustic Armagnac on the finish. An awesome after dinner drop.”
The Meantime Brewery has released its last seasonal brew for the year, a 4.8% ABV Belgian-inspired ale. Saison de Nuit is made with continental malts, chosen because they impart very little roasted malt flavour into the beer, and Belgian yeast to give it a very dry finish. The brewery’s master brewer, Alastair Hook, said it was an ideal accompaniment to, “roast pork with crackling, crispy roast chicken or turkey, pork pie or some traditional Cumberland sausages.”
Marston’s is starting the New Year with the first in its second series of beers made from one hop. The Single Hop: East Kent Goldings ale is a 4% pale gold beer made from the “quintessential” English hop. Goldings have been grown in Kent for more than 200 years and give an “earthy bitterness with hints of spice” to beers, said the brewer.
The Church End Brewery has created a beer to commemorate the end of the world - which according to some is due to happen next week. The Mayan long term calendar and Doomsday predictions name the apocalypse as the 21 December 2012. The brewery has created a 4.2% ABV dark and malty brew called World’s End so that humanity can “raise a glass to total and utter annihilation.”
