So Here It Is: Hoppy Christmas!
Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but, if anything, it’s certainly a time to treat yourself. You’ve already got your plans for Christmas dinner sorted, the mince pies are at the ready and you’ve got all the chocolate you could ever dream of in your cupboards. Now you just need the beers to go with them. Whether you want a hoppy Christmas or malty wonderland, we’ve got some brews to bring on the holiday cheer. So, go on, indulge yourself!
Butcombe Brewing Co. – Chrismoose (Old Ale, 4.1%)
Hailing from Bristol, Butcombe has been going since the 70s, making unashamedly traditional ales, and they’ve got pubs scattered all over the South West providing good, honest pints to all. With this beer, they wanted to create a truly festive brew that brings to mind all things quintessentially festive, and we were keen to give it a try.
Appearance: An Amber ale, with a ruby glow, and a light cream head that bubbles away to the side of the glass. Aroma: Sweet malt and dried red fruit, a Christmassy blend, for sure. Flavour: A mellow, roasted brew, with a winning combination of citrus peel, coffee, caramel and a nutty aftertaste.Certainly gets you in the festive mood. One to have alongside your Christmas dinner.Get in the Christmas spirit here!And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Wye Valley Brewery – Night’s Watch (Winter Ale, 5.0%)
Who doesn’t love a Game of Thrones reference? This bottle-conditioned, specialty release from Wye Valley Brewery is a beer for this night and all the nights to come…
Appearance: A deep, autumnal brown, with a pale head that leaves ribbons of lacing.Aroma: Smooth Chocolate malt, nicely matched with vanilla and all-butter biscuits.Flavour: A warming burnt caramel taste, with roasted chestnuts that fills the mouth and leaves a delightful bitterness.One to enjoy round the hearth at home. Would be sublime with a cheeseboard, especially rich, soft cheeses.Christmas is coming… Don’t miss out and go here!And don't forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Purple Moose Brewery – Merry X-Moose (Strong Bitter, 5.0%)
We do love these guys from Porthmadog, Wales. Just a 40-barrel micro-brewery, Purple Moose has a cracking beer selection and Merry X-moose is no exception. Nadolig Llawen!
Appearance: A lovely thick head tops this maple syrup hued brew.Aroma: Quite a fruity nose, with banana, raisins and blackcurrant held together by biscuity malt.Flavour: Rich and malty. Molasses nicely balanced with grassy hops to create a thoroughly drinkable yet complex brew.Another winter-time winner from Purple Moose! Drink in your favourite chair beside the fire.Grab yourself some Welsh festive cheer here!And don't forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Sadler’s Brewing Co. – Peaky Blinder (Christmas Pudding Stout, 6.0%)
Peaky Blinder was one of the tasty brews that we recently got to try at Sadler’s Tap Room in Birmingham. We recommend a visit there this Winter, but if you feel like staying at home, this brew is one to have on-hand.
Appearance: A dark, ebony brew with a smooth tan coffee-like crema.Aroma: A nose of rich chocolate and dark fruits. Smells like Christmas cake straight out of the oven.Flavour: Warming, toasted malt, with open-fire roasted chestnuts, cinnamon, orange and dark chocolate.A rounded and tasty dark brew that’s full of Christmas cheer. This one could go with your mains or dessert, but it’s a fine sipper all by itself.Keep that cold away and cosy up with this one here!And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Hepworth & Co. Brewers – Noёl (Strong Ale, 7.4%)
Hepworth & Co. are an impressively independent, locally-sourced and an environmentally-friendly brewery – the heat produced as a by-product of their beer chillers is captured and used to heat their offices and visitors centre! They’re back here on BeerYeti with one of their specialty releases. Brewed once a year, Noёl is a bottle-conditioned, robust ale that can be enjoyed now or after several years if you’re prepared to wait.
Appearance: A bright golden ale, with a frothy head.Aroma: Rich and creamy brandy butter, with light toasted malts and the yeast brings a bread-like quality.Flavour: A smooth, slightly peppery ale, with sweet malts that gives a hint of marzipan, followed by a gentle pine bitterness from the hops.The alcohol on this one certainly warms you up, and this is a beer that will keep on giving if left to age. A nice brew to unwind with after the family meal, maybe with a mince pie or two.Wait to drink it, but don’t wait to buy it here!And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook & Twitter .
Bath Ales – Lansdown (West Coast IPA, 5%)
Founded in 1995, Bath Ales has gone from strength to strength. Its' new chapter began in July 2016, when it was acquired by St Austell Brewery – one of the most well-known independent, family-owned brewers in the country. Thanks to a swanky new brewhouse, Bath Ales now has more freedom than ever to continue making the beers that people know and love as well as experimenting with new and varied styles, like Lansdown. – its' first IPA.
Appearance: Pale orange, with a dense foamy head.Aroma: A blast of floral and earthy hops, pine and lime zest.Flavour: A refreshing blend of resinous hops, green apple and an aromatic, woody bitterness.Very much a West Coast IPA. A fresh and boldly hoppy brew that would hit the spot after taking a walk in the crisp air on Christmas Day.Chase the hare this way!And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
St Austell Brewery - Proper Job (Cornish IPA, 5.5%)
Independent, regional brewer, St Austell Brewery has been making beer in Cornwall since 1851. After 167 years, its' traditional brewing techniques remain, but the brewery has made a big impact on the evolution of the industry. Award-winning, Proper Job is one of St Austell Brewery’s most celebrated brews - the UK's best-selling bottle-conditioned beer, no less.
Appearance: A pale, golden colour like newly-baled straw, with a head that slowly dissolves.Aroma: Clean malt matched with freshly-squeezed lemon juice.Flavour: Grassy hops, with acidic citrus fruits that are complimented with a bready yeast not unlike champagne that comes from the bottle-conditioning. Leaves a lingering toasted, dry bitterness.A Proper Job well done, whether you’ve just finished wrapping all of your presents or written your last Christmas card, reward yourself with this fine brew.Get the job done and click here! And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Sixpoint Brewery – Bengali (IPA, 6.5%)
This stylish brewery from Brooklyn, New York, started in 2004, and Bengali has been brewed since the beginning. The brewery and this beer have evolved a fair bit – two of the hop strains in this beer didn’t even exist when it started – and, as of last year, all their brews are now raw and unfiltered. Their tagline ‘Beer Is Culture’ is something we can get behind too.
Appearance: A slightly hazy honey-coloured brew, topped with an ample white head that sticks to the glass.Aroma: The earthy hops bring fresh herbs and there’s some luscious tropical notes in there too.Flavour: A full-on hoppy brew. Gives great bitterness and mouthfeel, with clean mineral notes and a dry finish.A great one if you like something different to the more citrus-heavy IPAs. Would also match nicely with most cheeses.Put the merry in Christmas right here!And don’t forget the usual haunts: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
What better way to fill your holidays, right? These beers would make tasty presents, but don’t miss yourself off the Christmas wish list. Merry Christmas from us here at BeerYeti! Wishing you all good cheer(s)!
