Christmas beers are often just bog standard ales with a festive label slapped on (Rosey Nosey anyone?). Or worse, full-on flavoured beers with cinnamon and other dubious additives tipped in. Thankfully this is neither. Just a big strong ale from one of the old country’s primordial brewers, with just enough fruit and spice from the English hops to bring one in mind of Christmas. Chewy toffee, complex fruit and earthy flavours, with a very gentle bitterness and warming finish. Very satisfying, if somewhat out of season in our hemisphere.