Christmas ale?

[iheartdusty]

Any nice suggestions for a real ale fan please, I have small to medium branches of most supermarkets reasonably accessible plus majestic, various other off licences. Not keen on online because delivery charges are usually so high.

[iheartdusty]

Thanks, will have a look

[oldraver]

Wychwoods bah humbug is nice

[iheartdusty]

Ooh, that looks interesting, thanks

[SnowMuchToBits]

Which area of the country are you in? Sometimes you can get nice local ale at a local offie....

[LegArmpits]

IF you can get hold of any Durham Brewery stuff (depends where you are, else it would be online) then get their Temptation. It is the stuff dreams and Christmas puddings are made of.

If not, and you really only have standard Supermarket stuff to choose from, then M&S believe it or not have a good range of beer, the Chocolate Porter from Unicorn Brewery is bloody gorgeous, as is their Belgian Wheat. They also do a Winter Ale which is good.

Avoid Shepherd Neame stuff.

you wouldn't find me reviewing real ale on YouTube, obv

[SnowMuchToBits]

What's wrong with Shepherd Neame? I haven't tried their Christmas Ale, but their Late Red (autumn beer) is lovely.

[Goneshopping]

Dp loves his ale and has selected the Marlow brewery rebellion red for Xmas day! Sold in Waitrose.

[bedmonster]

Do you have a garden centre nearby? The one near me sells ale from the local brewery. Although I suppose you also need a local brewery. In which case, you probably wouldn't need any of our help.

[iheartdusty]

Thanks all, very useful.

Bedmonster, not at all pointless - I'm in Sussex, home of Harvey's and dark star and many others, but I just can't find them in bottles or anything suitable for a gift. Not really up for a half barrel or keg or whatever they are called.

I like the sound of chocolate porter, so M&S next stop it is.

[Takver]

If you're in Sussex then it has to be Harvey's Christmas Ale! They definitely sell it in bottles and it is lovely.

[OComeAllYeFaithBaby]

Bateman's Rosy Nosey is DH's favourite!

[iheartdusty]

these all do sound so nice. I'm just going to have to do a trawl this weekend. Thanks everyone.

[pacificjade]

Loads of breweries in Sussex. Check out the local CAMRA site
www.aaa-camra.org.uk/breweries/brewers.html for details.

Ring the breweries that are close to you or of interest & they can tell you where they'll sell their bottles. Far more interesting than supermarket ranges

[trilottie]

A rundown of some ideas here: www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/dec/11/beers-for-a-merry-christmas

[trilottie]

(Sorry, no idea how to get links working on phone)