I’m not a fan of big, sticky sweet, flavoured, specially brewed kitsch Christmas beers; I’ve never seen the appeal. I prefer something a little more elegant at the Christmas table, something to replace the ubiquitous red/white wine or champagne. I’ve tasted some much better options to drink during the day, at the table and in the evening while we’re watching re runs of ‘Only Fools and Horses’
Christmas special.
The aperitif
I can think of nothing better than a refreshing, easy drinking, fruity, aromatic IPA to start of the celebrations, that’s why I’ve chosen Buxton Brewery Wild Boar. At 5.7% Wild Boar is a nice sessionable strength, it has wonderful tropical fruit aromas and flavours that belie that outside chill and a refreshing bitter/dry finish that is thoroughly enjoyable.
At the table
An ever popular choice has been champagne at the table but I much prefer the champagne of the beer world, a Geuze. Lindeman’s Cuvee René is a blend of young and old lambics (beer fermented by wild yeast). This formidably dry beer from Belgium has elements of sherry and dry vermouth and is a much better choice at lunch.
The digestif
Served in a bulbous port glass, Moortgat Duvel is an 8.5% Belgium Golden Ale and the perfect beer to while away the evening in front of the fire. With a bitter dry finish and flavours reminiscent of orange peel this big beer is dangerously easy to drink but at the end of a great Christmas day why not have a couple?
(This originally appeared earlier this month as part of JK’s regular column in the Sheffield Profile Magazine)
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