Christmas time, mistletoe and..... ALE!

As a follow-up to the fantastic afternoon sampling Nicholson's ale festival specialities, I was cordially invited to sample the company's Christmas ales one evening at the De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar in Soho London.

Accompanying me on this festive delight was long-time school friend Daniel.

Nicholson’s Pubs celebrates the festive season by producing a selection of seven exclusive Christmas Ales in collaboration with some of the UK’s key top brewers.

The speakers line up to present their Christmas ales

The company’s experienced Cask Masters have specially crafted their own ales, brewed in collaboration with Moorhouse, Oxfordshire, Andwells, Broughton, Sambrooks, Vale and Brentwood breweries and available across over 80 pubs nationwide throughout December 2012. 

So our evening involved tasting the seven specialities on offer, and here they are, with a brief description, our thoughts and ratings!

Ding Dong - but did it make the bells ring?

Ding Dong

ABV: 4.5%
Taste: A warm chestnut beer with a rich marmalade aroma
Brewery: Andwell

This was our first Christmas ale of the evening, and was some start. It had a sweet, dessert flavour, and as oppose to some other ales that promises a flavour it can't really provide, the sweet aftertaste of marmelade was delightful.

Scores

Daniel - 7

John - 8

Meads Must

ABV: 4.7%
Taste: A superb dark ruby red ale with a hint of honey and quince.
Brewery: Oxfordshire

Although higher in ABV content than the first, this ale lacked any kind of bite, and had a rather weak aftertaste. We both deduced that unfortunately it's smell, which was rich and sweet, was better than its taste.

Scores

Daniel -6

John - 5

The representatives from those involved with The Only Way Is Santa  put on an enthusiastic presentation

Five Gold Rings

ABV: 4.8%
Taste: A dark mahogany coloured brew with an aroma of roasted malt, the taste of fruit and subtle spice flavours are followed by a long , warm and slightly bitter finish.
Brewery: Vale

A lovely, warm and spicy ale, a real winter special. This had a good, all-round solid taste which could be felt in between drinks. Although early in the evening, we knew this was going to be up there with the best.

Scores

Daniel -7

John -8

 
London Winter Ale

ABV: 4.6%
Taste: A deep red ale which takes its spicy aroma from a blend of English hops.  With a rich sweet and tangy taste this beer is an ideal accompaniment to steak, venison, game and Christmas Pudding.
Brewery: Sambrookes

Both of us had heard of the Sambrookes brewery, so were pleasantly surprised to hear that it had only been brewing from Battersea since 2008. And with this concoction, they are on to a winner. It had a real chocolatey taste, and we felt was one of the more powerful on the palate of the evening.

Scores

Daniel -8

John -7

Elves Bells

ABV: 4%
Taste: A deep chestnut brown coloured ale, brewed with Maris Otter malted barley and crystal malt to give hints of sweet malt, biscuit and caramel tones.  Balanced by the use of cascade hops to give floral and spice notes on the nose, there is a pleasant full bitterness in the aftertaste.
Brewery: Moorhouse

This was the 'most drinkable' ale of the evening - that is to say it was the one most suited to staying on all night. This may be to do with the alcohol content, but it was also to do with its succinct, dessert taaste, where each of the ingredients were discernable. Also, the fact that is was devoid of sugar added to its popularity!

Scores

Daniel -8

John -8

The Only Way Is Santa

ABV: 5.2%
Taste: A rich ruby beer with a smooth malt character, Willamette hops give this beer spicy, blackcurrant aromas and flavours. Plums and cinnamon have been added to compliment the beers character with a delectably rich flavour and a gentle spice. 
Brewery: Brentwood

The highest ABV of the evening, and also, the joint-highest overall score from our ratings! While Joey Essex and Chloe Simms from TOWIE may not choose this tipple on their night out in the Sugar Hut, Essex should be very proud of this particular concoction (could these characters also be labelled 'concoctions' though??). We were told this ale gives you 'one of your five-a-day' and if five glasses of this sorted that out, then we'll raise our glass to that!

Scores

Daniel -9

John -8

Santa's Oatmeal Stout SOS

ABV: 4.8%
Taste: Bursting with oatmeal and chocolate aromas, this dark brown ale uses a blend of five malts and oats, delivering a mouthful of smooth roasted flavours and a lingering rich taste.
Brewery: Broughton

Certainly one of the liveliest ales on the palate of the evening, and with a lingering taste in the mouth and throat, this finished joint-top in the ratings with The Only Way Is Santa. Again, the flavours mingled exceptionally well, and the aftertaste left us wanting more. It felt as strong as the previous ale, and felt, as we did here, it would be the perfect pint to round off an evening with (and probably start off with too!).

Scores

Daniel -9

John -8

The presentations all came across as genuine and knowledgable

After the presentations from representatives from the various breweries were finished, expertly hosted by British Craft Guild of Beer Writers member and author Melissa Cole, those present were invited to help themselves to the casks of Christmas ales. There was no desire to take advantage of the volume of alcohol on offer - it was the kind of night to enjoy the varied tastes of all the respective ales, chat to others present, and then be on our sober way home.

Well, most of that is true!

For more information on Nicholson's Christmas Ales, visit the website at www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Nicholson’s offers an historic and distinctive collection of pubs across the UK, with warm and inviting hospitality through its authentic British pub atmosphere.  Delivering quality hearty British classics served with a modern twist, take a break from Christmas shopping and enjoy lunch or dinner at many of the hidden upstairs dining rooms.  Alternatively the festive menus provide a great solution for office get-togethers or groups of friends and family.

Guest ales are expertly matched with dishes from the food menu, or alternatively, experience Nicholson’s equalled passion for fine wine with its impressive cellars containing classics and vintages from the old and new world.