I've been in Manchester a fair bit over the last week due to meeting various mates for Christmas drinks. One thing has been noticeable in the pubs I've been in. That is the relative absence of silly named Christmas beers. There have been one or two for sure, but on the whole, not so many.
Why this somewhat curmudgeonly stance? Just that last time I
wrote about these, they were not particularly in the spirit of special brews for seasonal purposes, but ordinary beers with a daft name.
I'd rather do without these frankly, though something traditional and warming would be fine.
7 comments:
Maybe got something to do with the vast ammount of "Christmas" beers that were still on sale way into January this year.
After overordering last year, maybe people have edged on side of caution this year.
Try a Spoons. Their bars are full of the things at this time of year. I agree totally they're a lost opportunity, just tweaked and rebadged bitter. Where are the nice barley wines and strong stouts I want to drink at this time of year?
I did think Brains Festive Cheer was a rather good trad copper bitter, though not Christmassy in any way.
It bugs me when I see a badge for a ‘Christmas Ale’ and it’s flippin’ 4.5%, I recall in the 1990s when King & Barnes’ Christmas Ale used to reach North London Spoons, 8%’s worth of beery, Christmassy befuddlement. Wonderful.
I'm heading to Stockport this afternoon from 'oop North'. One of the things I'm looking forward to is my favourite Christmas Ale, cask Old Tom! I always manage a couple of halves on Christmas Day before dinner in my local, so for me it is the definitive Christmas Ale. Got quite a liking for Robbie's Mr Scrooge too, actually. I agree with most on the general silly named, rebadged best bitters, though.
Well I'm back, have been to the pub early door, and Old Tom is as good as ever. Merry Christmas!
Stockport ISN'T "oop north"???
Stockport is most definitely 'DAAN SAAAFF' when you live in Newcastle the rest of the year ;-)
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