Theakston - Nowt Peculier

This is Theakston's AF take on the famous dark ruby ale Old Peculier from North Yorkshire. It utilises the same ingredients (pale, crystal and roasted barley with Fuggles, Challenger and Progress hops) but the alcohol is then filtered out. The creamy head it creates sustains well in the glass. The nose has a richness to it and with the character of maybe wholemeal bread or even woodiness. Tastewise it is certainly very malty. There are notes of plum, dark cherry and raisin too. The carbonation is very light, making for a smooth, rather slight mouthfeel. The finish is quite sweet. Overall then it is a very traditional dark ale, and in fact there is nothing peculier at all about it.

3 / 5

Nogne - Julefri

Julefri is Norwegian for "Christmas vacation" and this dark ale is clearly meant to be a good accompaniment to all those pies and puddings consumed at that time of year. The ingredients include ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and coriander, as well as malted barley and malted wheat. And indeed the aroma is akin to that accompanying a Christmas pudding coming out of the kitchen. The taste is of all the flavours one would expect - dried fruits, black treacle, toffee and spices (particularly ginger). There is a low level of carbonation whilst the mouthfeel is soft if a little on the thin side. The finish is lightly sweet, but not excessively so. Overall, it does exactly what it says on the 33 cl bottle - a great beer to quaff with all that festive food.

4 / 5

Big Drop - Firesider Pumpkin Spiced Ale

From the Big Drop Winter Series comes this ale spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. The 0.5% ABV brew is gluten free, contains lactose and is hopped with the very neutral Magnum hop. Toasted malts and warm spices make for a very welcome aroma in the dark days of winter. The body is a little on the thin side but there's just the right amount of life in the mouthfeel to keep it fresh on the palate. The spices are evident in the taste but are not overpowering and they combine smoothly with the sweet malty character of the beer. Overall, it's like supping a brown ale whilst also eating a hot cross bun. A very comforting and easy drinking brew.

3/5

Uwe - Summer Ale

Hailing from Hamburg in Germany comes this copper-coloured beer. Launched in 2008 the Uwe brewery specialise in AF beers. The creamy beige head hangs around invitingly in the glass and the aroma has a rich bready maltiness to it. When it comes to the taste it is rich and is suggestive of a juicy, dark fruit cake. The carbonation is moderate and it has a soft, buttery mouthfeel. I'm not sure I'd call it a summer ale (although there is a citrussy hop note in the finish), but that's a trivial matter, this is a great brew.

5/5