Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale, Shepherd Neame

Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale, 7%

Britain’s oldest brewer, dating from 1698 and still run by the Neame family, will warm your cockles this Christmas with its annual strong ale.

The bottle has a striking Victorian label and, in the finest traditions of a brewery based at the heart of the Kent hop fields in Faversham, has used Challenger, Goldings and Target varieties along with pale and crystal malts.

The beer has a glowing amber/red colour topped by a heavy collar of foam. Spicy and peppery hops with a hint of nutmeg and coriander dominate the aroma, with powerful notes of toasted and nutty malt. The palate is bittersweet with rich toasted malt balanced by spices and peppery hops. The finish is long and lingering with bitter hops to the fore but with a good balance of rich malt, spice notes and a lingering hint of nutmeg.

A draught version is available in Shepherd Neame pubs at 5%. 50ml bottles can be bought online from www.shepherdneame.co.uk/shop