Festive Firkin
Springhead Fine Ales Ltd

Had this seasonal at my favorite JDW pub the Lord Moon. It is a medium amber beer, head retention was good and very visual shets of lace coat the glass. Mild aroma of fruity hops leads to a long finish of sweet malt and some cherry fruit on the palate. Medium bodied and very nice mouthfeel. Nice easy drinking seasonal ale.

Tasted by half pint at the Capitol, a local Wetherspoon pub at Forest Hill, SE London. This beer is one of the X'mas seasonal ales available at the chain.

A: reddish amber, bright and clear, coming with a thin but ever-lasting off-white foamy head and a low-carbonated body.
S: fruity-themed, backed by caramelised sugar, plenty of refreshing hops of English varieties... not too complex, but the structure b/w malts and hops is quite clear.
T: as fruity as bitter and hoppy--the underlying crystal maltiness gives a rich and firm backbone underneath the fruitiness featuring plums and dried dates, while a tannic edge of dried-leafy and earthy hops lingers at the back, resulting in a semi-dry and superbly lingering bitter aftertaste. BTW, a nice kick of fruit-sourness plays the healthy balancer at the back, though in the long end it does outlast other elements and appears slightly superfluous in terms of balance.
M&D: medium-bodied and smoothly-textured, this is an easy-drinking, autumny fruity bitter with good potentials (if on perfect form).