Moodmusic: Trying hard to ignore the commercialism of the season
Today's memories and soundbites
Of course it's impossible to ignore the seasonal sentiments, and I wouldn't want to portray myself as a complete Ebenezer Scrooge, but I find it harder every year to find the good in all the commercial hubbub. So what better a reaction than concentrating on the beers of the season. Like the micro-brewery revival, the brewing of seasonal ales and of Christmas ales seems to be an expanding area. Winter warmer strong ales and barley wines have been a long tradition in Britain, some recipes going back a few hundred years, seasonal beers which are higher in alcohol (typically 6-10%), sweeter, and more strongly flavoured with perhaps more dark and black barleys, have been a means to manage the cold, wet short days of winter and revel in the various winter festivals. Indeed the Nordic Viking tradition of strong winter ale for Thor's festival, a beer called Julol, is said to have become British Yule Ale .... or now .... Christmas beer. There were also wassail beers ... ale-based drinks flavoured with honey and spices used as a toast to good health and good fortune for the new year, often celebrated on Twelfth night in Medieval times. So "Christmas ales" are perhaps a newer way of recognising these traditions and marketing winter warmers for todays consumer. They often see the addition of seasonal flavourings such as cinnamon, cloves, orange, ginger or nutmeg, and some Christmas ales are less gourmet-to-savour sipping winter warmers, but are intended as session beers, so they may not exceed 4-5% in strength relying on those flavours for seasonal interest instead. I tried a selection of locally available .......
Drinks
Reactions
Emotional: Toooo easy ......
Critical: Ruby style winter warmer. This is a dangerous beer as it is sooooo easy to quaff and at 5% is likely to be a session beer that gets you into trouble. Medium bodied with very light bitter flavour, typical mildness of North Wales ales.
2. Wychwood, Bah Humbug (5.0%)
Reactions
Emotional: Huurumph ..... not sure
Critical: Not really too sure about this one. It says on the bottle it is flavoured with cinnamon, but it tastes a little more clovey and soapy to me .....
3. Batemans, Rosie Nosey (4.7%)
Reactions
Emotional: OK .... it's a bitter
Critical: I liked this although I have to say that it tasted very much like a standard winter bitter. Not sure it reminded me of Christmas, it's not very exciting or plum pudding or anything. A good medium bodied medium flavoured medium bitter beer.
4. Shepherd & Neame, Christmas Ale (7%)
Reactions
Emotional: Ok .... that's a bit better
Critical: The depth of this ale probably comes from the high alcohol content. Dark amber colour, slightly fruit nose, some fudgy treacle and a hint of vanilla, with orange pekoe tea? Finishes a clean hoppy bitterness.
5. Marstons, Owd Rodger (7.6%)
Reactions
Emotional: Aaaww ...Wonderful!!
Critical: Delicious, thick, fruity, raisons and plums, warm and winter wonderful. More Christmassy than plum pudding! Wonderful.
6. Shepherd & Neame, Tins'ale (3.8%)
Reactions
Emotional: bog standard bitter
Critical: Nothing too exciting, although if you enjoy light bitters this one you’ll like. Slightly metallic and hints of ginger (?) and lemon zest. Light hoppiness and a little malty caramel.
7. Wye Valley, Christmas Whiskers (4.5%)
Reactions
Emotional: Nice session bitter
Critical: Nice rounded medium bodied bitter with some fresh doughy hoppiness followed with a mellow light fruitiness. Less Christmas flavours but more Christmas merriment.
8. Branscombe Vale, Yo Ho Ho (6%)
Reactions
Emotional: OOOooo that tastes dangerous .... strong and quaffable
Critical: A strong English ale, small amounts of spice, with a deep caramel flavour and a tiny hint of raisins. Have a feeling this would provide a headache is not treated with care.
9. Cotleigh, Red Nose Reinbeer (4.5%)
Reactions
Emotional: simply quaffable
Critical: Straight forward winter bitter. Dark and malty, slight vinous depth, figs and a little bit of smokiness. Could be a Christmas session beer.
Perfect Christmas view??
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