Nothing says Christmas more than a beer, stout, ale, ginger beer or cider jam packed full of Christmas fruit and spices. We take a look at some of our favourite ginger beer’s, ales, ciders and beer for over the festive season. We were kindly sent these to review.
Tushkar Stout from Lerwick Brewery has a smooth and a slightly sweet finish, to taste it has rolled oats, chocolate and coffee notes which is from the chocolate malt and there is a slight bitterness from the Mittlefruh Hops giving this a rounded balance.
With an alcohol content of 5.5 this stout packs a real punch in taste. Tushkar Stout is deep and dark in colour but it is not heavy. Drink this with red meat or strong cheese but can also taste nice with sweeter dishes this stout does has a sweetness to it.
Spice up your Christmas with O’Hara’s Winter Star beer. This drink has subtle hints of spices and orange zest giving a refreshing and dry finish to this winter beer.
To taste there is orange zest, mild coconut and to add a bit of warmth there is a touch of cinnamon. Dual hops finish this beer from O’Hara’s adding a touch of evergreen. O’Hara’s is amber in colour and has an alcohol content of 4.3%.
Christmas Ale is available not just in a bottle but, through-out December it’s also available on draught. Both the draught abd bottled beers are full-bodied and have a spice through them giving that Christmas warmth. Light in colour you can taste vanilla, apricot and has an ABV of 7% (bottled).
This beer comes in a brown glass bottle and has a very festive Christmas label on the front which also has Shepherd Neame’s name on the front – perfect for something a little bit special to drink this year!
Radnor Hills Heartsease Farm Fiery Ginger Beer balances the sweetness and the intense warmth of Jamaican ginger perfectly. This is delicious on it’s own or you can use this to transform a cocktail creation.
This ginger beer comes in bottles are available in 33ml as well and 750ml which is perfect to put on the table.
Crabbie’s Ginger Beer has lots of different flavours available such as Scottish raspberry, Strawberry & Lime, Spiced Orange, Citrus Twist and of course there is the original flavour.
Each of these ginger beers are full of flavour and have that warmth that ginger beer offers. Crabbie’s Ginger Beer comes in a brown glass bottle and they also come in a larger bottle which are perfect for taking to family or friends houses at Christmas time.
You can buy Crabbies Ginger Beer at Tesco
Devon Hamper’s Wassailing Cider Celebration Hamper is the perfect gift for any cider lover. With 4 different ciders, apple juice and mulling spices included this is a great way to enjoy Cider.
Included in this hamper is 1 Ashridge Organic Cider Vintage 2012 50cl which is made from 100% apple juice and a variety of apples from bittersweet to bittersharp for the perfect balance, 1 Jack Ratt Scrumpy half Flagon 50cl which has won the Triple-Gold Star award at the Great Taste Awards in 2009, Lyme Bay’s cider has a light fizz and fresh taste and is a medium cider which is refreshing but without any cloying sweetness, 1 Sandford Orchards Devon Red has been produced using apples from their very own orchards and won gold at the Taste of the West Awards in 2011 and again in 2012 .
To finish this hamper off there are 2 bottles of apple juice which have been made from locally-grown organic apples and 1 Heron Valley Mulling Spices which makes the perfect addition to cider, wine and apple juice to produce a spiced, festive taste.
Always remember to drink responsibly: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk
What will you be drinking this year at Christmas? Comment below and let us know.
