12 BEERS OF CHRISTMAS

From Santa’s Little Belter to Merry X-Moose, it’s not Christmas without a Winter Warmer
Wales is producing some quality beers right now – and that includes the festive brews, too.

As it’s the season to be merry we’ll finish off our look of Welsh Christmas beers with 12 of the finest festive tipples from breweries all over Wales.   It’s the most wonderful time for a beer, or 12…

1 Zepto Brewhouse & Wales Ales – Santa’s Paradise 7.4%
This is a limited edition Christmas variation of the collaboration beer between Caerphilly based nano brewery Zepto Brewhouse and hand delivered beer service Wales Ales. More coconut and ramped up to 7.4%, this Chocolate & Coconut Imperial Stout is a full-bodied and bountiful stout. Strong, dark and rich, a true taste of paradise in a glass.

2 Dog’s Window Brewery & Wales Ales – Good Boy list 4.6%
A special mango infused Christmas variation of the popular collaboration ‘Good Boy’. A mango IPA with a strong fruity aroma and tropical taste, makes a change from the darker traditional Christmas beers, but only if you’re on the Good List!

3 Bluestone Brewery – Chimney Stack 4.3%
Bluestone Brewing is a family run brewery tucked away in rural North Pembrokeshire. Chimney Stack is an ode to the old Scottish taxation system of beers. The highest quality beers were taxed at 90 shillings. A smooth, medium-bodied, amber ale, balanced with classic American Cascade Hops.

4 Bang-On Brewery – Chardonnale 7.1%
Bridgend’s first brewery for 80 years have come up with an alternative festive offering. A pale ale that’s made with white wine yeast and is fermented in the traditional winemakers way. It’s the perfect accompaniment for the main course!

5 Tiny Rebel – Welcome to the party pal! 6.3%
Yes this is a quote from the Newport based brewery’s favourite Christmas film, Die Hard! Their new Snowball IPA is a perfect accompaniment to the Bruce Willis classic, plenty of juicy pineapple notes rocking in at 6.3%.

6 Baa – Humbug – 5.7%
Based in Chepstow Baa Brewery are dedicated to providing exceptional craft beers that you enjoy. Baa Humbug is a strong winter ale, with a slightly sweeter, spicier taste and the dark beer is great for the long winter nights.

7 Purple Moose – Merry X Moose 5%
A gorgeous beer from Purple Moose in Porthmadog, Merry X-Moose is a strong winter ale brewed from Welsh mountain water and natural ingredients. Crystal Malt combined with aromatic hops creates a smooth, full-bodied, malty beer. The perfect accompaniment to an evening of Christmas cheer in front of a roaring open fire!

8 Glamorgan – Santa’s little belter 4.4%
The number one selling Welsh Christmas Ale comes from Llantristant’s Glamorgan Brewery. Originally starting life as Kite Brewery, the Kite can be seen on the pump clip playfully pulling Santa’s sleigh. This ruby red ale is rich in malt flavours with notes of berries and dark chocolate, with a wonderfully festive aroma.

9 Tudor Brewery – Winter Cheer 5%
Family run Abertillery Tudor brewery’s Winter Cheer is infused with cinnamon, honey, ginger, lemon rind and a secret blend of spice. This gives Winter Cheer a subtle and unique flavour, certainly something to cheer about.

10 Little Goat – Satan’s little helper 6.66%
This one is a devilishly good 6.66% strong stout from Little Goat Brewery in Pontardawe. Strong, with a nice bitterness combining dark fruit and raisin flavours.

11 Dog’s Window – Candy Canine 4.6%
Brewing out of a garage in Bridgend, the brewery is proving that they are small and perfectly formed and more than a match for the big boys. They’ve produced a dessert favourite, a raspberry pavlova IPA. Hopped with Styrian Wolf and Styrian Dragon this IPA is infused with raspberry and vanilla flavours with an aroma to savour.

12 Mumbles – Kiwi Christmas 4.8%
Established in 2011, Mumbles Brewery are committed to producing quality real ales with a local flavour. Kiwi Christmas has been brewed especially for the Christmas season. It is Red Ale made with pale malt and generously hopped with two New Zealand hops for a distinctive fruity aroma and taste.

Remember, beers aren’t just for Christmas, the legendary ’12 Beers of Christmas’ was available by the Wales Ales website www.walesales.com and throughout January we’ll be looking at the national ‘Tryanuary’ campaign.