UK Christmas Beers

Discussion in 'United Kingdom & Ireland' started by Zimbo, Oct 17, 2012.

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  1. Zimbo

    Zimbo Pooh-Bah (2,305) Aug 7, 2010 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    I know its a bit early folks but I'd been interested to hear of any excellent highish ABV UK Brewed Christmas beers. In my experience they don't really exist much. Nothing's ever gripped me since the demise of King and Barnes Christmas Ale.
     
    #1 Zimbo, Oct 17, 2012
  2. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    I don't bother looking these days.

    All they tend to be are a tweaked up version from 4.3 to 5.2 (if that) of something not very exciting in the first instance with some kind of 'naughty reindeer' gimmick name and flashing light/tinsel !
     
    #2 Ruds, Oct 17, 2012
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  3. Zimbo

    Zimbo Pooh-Bah (2,305) Aug 7, 2010 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm hoping something good might come. There are rumours as much from BrewDog and I could always have another look at Harveys(though my last dip about 10 years ago wasn't outstanding).
     
    #3 Zimbo, Oct 17, 2012
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  4. EmperorBevis

    EmperorBevis Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,338) Sep 25, 2011 England
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wincle produce a rather splendid Christmas beer called Wassale which bottle conditioned is rich and fruity
    coming in at about £7-£8 for a 500ml bottle and is almost worth that hefty price.

    I had a chat with the brewery and they are doing a lighter cask version (presumably to make sure it doesnae sit there going off and can be sold cheaper) coming in at 4.8% this I will have to check out over the festive period.



    EmperorBevis

    4.4/5 rDev 0%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

    Rich chocolate brown body big foamy thick tan coloured head.

    Rich aromas of freshly baked chocolate cake, brandy, ethanol, petrol and cinnamon sticks.

    Deep flavours richly developed tones of mulled wine spices rum and raison fudge that goes into a hoppy aftertaste.

    Thick and chewy mouthfeel.

    Quite heavy going, very warming very very festive !hic!

    Serving type: bottle

    Reviewed on: 02-18-2012 00:21:56 | More by EmperorBevis
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    Edit Your Review | Delete Your Review
     
    #4 EmperorBevis, Oct 17, 2012
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  5. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Talking to a local brewer some time back who had to reduce the ABV of his Winter beer-pubs couldn't shift it because most of their customers were travelling by car. Very hard to sell strong beer in country pubs , different in cities no doubt.Mind you, a decent 5% brew can surprise you , a couple of years ago I had some Port Stout at around that strength which could knock the socks off quite a few I've had in the 6.5 to 8% region.
     
    #5 marquis, Oct 17, 2012
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  6. Zimbo

    Zimbo Pooh-Bah (2,305) Aug 7, 2010 Scotland
    Pooh-Bah

    I understand the problems pubs have with a draught Christmas ales and as sad as it might be it is understandable. But I'm looking for a good UK brewed Christmas Ale in a bottle.
     
    #6 Zimbo, Oct 17, 2012
  7. Aye

    Aye Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 England

    Old Navigation and Old Horizontal used to make an appearance at Xmas in the handful of ale bars in the late 80s bu you need to patronise craft bars to get owt above 5.5% these days
     
    #7 Aye, Oct 17, 2012
  8. Aye

    Aye Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 England

    And why is the weekend drinking thread locked?
     
    #8 Aye, Oct 17, 2012
  9. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    It's happened to the last couple, gets into 10+ pages and locked

    Start again - no worries!
     
    #9 Ruds, Oct 17, 2012
  10. EmperorBevis

    EmperorBevis Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,338) Sep 25, 2011 England
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My last drain pour was a Christmas beer.
     
    #10 EmperorBevis, Oct 17, 2012
  11. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    Mine was a Fullers Vintage '99 that retails in the Fuller Shop for £8.50 a go :slight_frown:
     
    #11 Ruds, Oct 17, 2012
  12. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    I've had Fuller's Vintage Ale on cask in a couple of local small town pubs , Exmoor Beast, Adnam's Tally Ho as well.I tend not to drink bottled beer-if at home I have masses of bottles of other stuff from places like Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhone and Rioja! Plus Cognac and parts of Scotland. Horses for courses.
     
    #12 marquis, Oct 17, 2012
  13. paxton1978

    paxton1978 Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2008 England

    I still have a fondness for Harveys. On the flip side I've drainpoured every single 'Bad Elf'; 'Insanely Bad Elf' etc etc I've tried- all horrible sweet things with no depth of flavour. Actually, now I think of it- Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Celebration Ale is bloody good, but I don't know if they'll do it again. I've noticed that Sainsburys are also stocking Innis and Gunn Treacle Porter, which I'm intrigued by since it's in a gift box, so probably won't suffer from light issues like the rest of the range.
     
    #13 paxton1978, Oct 17, 2012
  14. Ruds

    Ruds Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2008 England

    I've got a bottle of Harveys in the outhouse

    It was small and cheap so I took the risk
     
    #14 Ruds, Oct 17, 2012
  15. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I wish that one would come back. From someone who knew what they were doing.
     
    #15 Bitterbill, Oct 18, 2012
  16. Robert_N

    Robert_N Initiate (0) Apr 10, 2012 Wales

    Is that in stores now? Thanks for the info.
     
    #16 Robert_N, Oct 18, 2012
  17. EmperorBevis

    EmperorBevis Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,338) Sep 25, 2011 England
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Picked up some Hook Norton Twelve Days only coming in at 5.5% but dark and promising to be rich and strong.

    With these festive brews I prefer them to go easy on the spices an think it is better to use brewing skills and maybe a little dark sugars to get that Yule tide taste.
     
    #17 EmperorBevis, Oct 23, 2012
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