Beer Advent Calendar - Door 24

Well that's all folks!  I've really enjoyed the Morrisons beer advent calendar this year - I've got new beers to try as well as getting reacquainted with some old favourites and, although I think it is a little overpriced at £30 for such small bottles, I would definitely get one again (especially if it's reduced to half price).  

Opening the final door sees a bottle of Williams Joker IPA being revealed.  It is 5% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Created from a complex later of malts and blended hops, this well balanced IPA delivers satisfaction every time.  Golden in the glass, fruity on the nose with hints of cedar, Joker IPA is bittersweet, full of flavour and is sure to put a smile on your face.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 23

The penultimate door has a bottle of St Edmund's Golden Beer hiding behind it.  This beer by Greene King is 4.2% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

St Edmund, the first Patron Saint of England, lends his name to this fresh golden beer with a citrus finish.  Brewed using pale malt and Cascade and First Gold hops, it's a refreshingly crisp ale.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 22

I was delighted to find another one of my old favourites behind door number 22.  Cameron's Strongarm is a fabulous ruby red ale at 4.3% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

The brewery's flagship beer.  Well rounded, ruby red ale with a distinctive, tight creamy head.  A good balance of malt, hops and bitterness.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 21

Wow, the last 3 weeks have whizzed by and there's only 3 more doors on my Advent Calendar to open.  Today's beer is a Courage Light Ale that is 3.2% ABV in a 275ml bottle and is described as:

With over 200 years of brewing heritage, Courage Light Ale continues the tradition of quality brewed beer from the Courage stable.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 20

Behind door number 20 we have a bit of a marmite beer - Wells Banana Bread Beer; there's no marmite in it, but you'll ever love it or hate it.  I tried this many years ago and really liked it but I know others who thought it was awful.  I'll be interested to see how my taste has changed when I try this again.  It's a surprising 5.2% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Tempting banoffee aromas tempered by a grassy, lemony nose all leading to a finely balanced, fresh, delicate flavour of peppery hops with a lingering dry finish.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 19

I was so excited when I saw what was behind door number 19; it's a ruby ale, my favourite style of beer!  Fantastically named Ruddy Darter, what it lacks in size it makes up in alcohol content.  It's only a 275ml bottle but 4.6% ABV and described as:

Intense malt sweetness leads to refreshing fruity palate led by tart blackcurrant from the Bramling Cross late hop.  A more easy drinking balance that belies its abv and reveals a smiling communication between malt and hops.  Satisfyingly luscious yet moreishly thirst quenching.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 18

I recognised Shepherd Neame's Spitfire straight away from the RAF symbol on the lid when I ripped open door 18.  It's rather fitting that it should be door 18, as my dearly departed next door neighbour was a Battle of Britain pilot and he would have been 18 years old in 1940, however, he flew a Hurricane as I was reminded every year when I gave him a birthday card with the 'wrong' plane on it.  This one's especially for you, John!

One of the better Shepherd Neame ales, Spitfire is 4.5% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

This 4.5% Kentish Ale was first brewed by Shepherd Neame in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent some 50 years earlier.  A premium amber ale which has a lingering malt and hop flavour and is a well-balanced, thirst quenching and popular drink.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 17

I've finally caught up with my posts as a Young's Double Chocolate Stout is revealed behind door number 17.  I love the purple label; it makes me think that something very decadent and smooth is waiting for me when I decide to pop the lid.  A good alcohol content at 5.2% ABV in a 330ml bottle, it is described as:

Chocolate malt and real dark chocolate are combined with Young's award winning rich, full flavoured dark beer to craft a satisfying indulgent, but never overly sweet experience.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 16

A very patriotic looking Belhaven Scottish Ale is hiding behind door number 16.  I don't have any Scottish blood in my ancestry but I do like the sound of this one, especially with it being labelled as rich, nutty and smooth - a little bit like myself ha ha.  It is a 5.2% ABV ale in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Belhaven's signature Scottish Ale is their best selling bottle sold worldwide.  Brewed from 100% Scottish barley malts for a nutty, biscuit character, balanced with a subtle spiciness from Challenger and Goldings hops for an all-round satisfying beer.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 15

A North Pale Ale is behind door number 15.  At 3.9% ABV in a 275ml bottle, it is described as:

A delightful golden traditional Pale Ale brewed with pale, gold, oat and wheat malts for a fuller flavour.  With a refreshing blend of Challenger hops it has undertones of soft citrus and passion fruit, finishing with a light bitterness.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 14

I was delighted to find a Camerons ale behind door number 14.  Camerons Strongarm is one of my old favourites but I've never heard of Tontine milk stout.  This is 4.1% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Tontine is a contemporary North East milk stout brewed using both chocolate and crystal malts which gives this a distinctive black colour.  The roasted aroma and flavour are complemented by a gentle sweet aftertaste obtained from natural milk sugars.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 13

There is a bottle of Williams Bros Fraoch Heather Ale behind door number 13.  It might sound light and floral but it is a mighty 5% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Scotland's Original craft beer, brewed by Williams Bros from a 4000 year old recipe.  Leann Fraoch or Heather Ale is the oldest style of ale still in production today.  A light amber ale with a floral, peaty aroma, full malty body and spicy herbal finish.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 12

As a Northern lass, I do love a brown ale so I was delighted to find a Manns Brown Ale behind door number 12.  I was surprised to see this labelled as the original brown ale, as I haven't heard of it.  For history buffs among you, Newcastle Brown Ale was launched in 1927.  With a surprisingly low alcohol content of only 2.8% ABV, it is in a 275ml bottle and is described as:

Manns in the Original Brown Ale, first brewed at the Mann's Whitechapel brewery in 1902.  The historic recipe produces a dark, rich, full bodied ale with a luscious flavour and hints of roasted creamy toffee.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 11

I love the label of this Yardbird Pale Ale from Greene King that was hiding behind door number 11.  With the treble clef it looks very Nashville inspired and I could just imagine sitting in the Bluebird Cafe listening to some great live music with a bottle of Yardbird in my hand.  Back to reality, Yardbird is 4% ABV in a 330ml bottle and is described as:

Full of hops with a lasting fruity flavour, Yardbird is inspired by the bold American pale ales.  Brisk, hoppy and not too strong - perfect for enjoying with friends.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 10

A fabulously named King John by Andwell Brewing Co is behind door number 10.  4.2% ABV in a 275ml bottle, it is described as:

Malty with a gradually developing crisp bitterness.  Finish is bittersweet with the three aroma hops bringing a fruity length.  A composed and extremely well centred beer with an understated character but with satisfying depth.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 9

A new one for me, Bowman's Quiver is behind door number 9.  I love the play on words of this one; it makes me think of Robin Hood.  It's 4.5% ABV in a 275ml bottle and is described as:

Gloriously rich golden in colour and with a wonderful mown grass aroma, this premium bitter is full of complex flavours including a tiny amount of caramel.  The addition of American hops gives it a full hop flavour with a dry finish.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 8

Door number 8 produced a Ram Rod strong ale from Young's.  I've never heard of this ale so I was surprised it had been around for so long.  It's 5% ABV in a 275ml bottle and is described as: 

Named after the magnificent Dorset Horn ram on which the Young's trademark is based, Ram Rod has been one of Young's most famous ales for over 30 years.  A strong, mature and full flavoured ale for savouring with a wonderfully balanced palate of fruit and hops.  Brewed using Fuggles, Golding and Target hops and a blend of Maris Otter and Crystal barley malt.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 7

Another old favourite of mine is revealed behind door number 7.  Wychwood's Hobgoblin at 5.2% in a 330ml bottle is described as:

Traditionally craft brewed with chocolate and crystal malts and a blend of Styrian, Goldings and Fuggles hops.  A full-bodied ruby beer that delivers a delicious chocolate toffee malt flavour, balanced with a moderate bitterness and an overall fruity, mischievous character.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 6

Behind door number there's a Marston's beer I've never heard of.  Resolution is 4.7% ABV in a 275ml bottle and is described as:

In order to deliver all of that wonderful flavour, which Marston's is renowned for, Marston's Resolution undergoes a double fermentation process which turns all sugars into alcohol.  The end result is a strong, refreshing beer that's less filling and easier to drink.  Not only this, but it's also great tasting with lots of full-bodied flavours which are finished off with a refreshing, crisp note.

Beer Advent Calendar - Door 5

Behind door number 5 is Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale.  I've had this one before but I'm already looking forward to trying it again.  Surprisingly strong at 5% ABV in a 330ml bottle, it is described as:

Rich full flavoured beer with a deep copper colour.  Wells Sticky Toffee pudding has all the warmth, aromas and appeal of the dark pudding from England.  It has a sweet taste of caramel and toffee along with a smooth and robust after taste.