Six of the best festive beers

Lou Treseder of Driftwood Spars Brewery in St Agnes shares her favourite stocking fillers for beer lovers. From aged brews to rich imperial stouts, these festive beers challenge the palate with their delicious and complex flavours

Codename Robin, Driftwood Spars Brewery, Cornwall (7%)

As winter draws in on the Cornish coast, a bold robin has taken to sneaking into our brewer’s yard at every opportunity. We see it as a good omen, and thought we’d brew a special imperial stout at Driftwood Spars Brewery in honour of our new companion. Get ready for rich molasses and gingerbread notes on the nose, followed by a smooth, roasted dark chocolate flavour. A lingering gingerbread finish complements the malt sweetness. Sold in 750ml bottles, it’s perfect for sharing.

Buy it here.

Merry X-Moose, Purple Moose Brewery, Gwynedd (5%)

This strong bitter is a deep red, malty, hoppy brew with flavours of winter fruits and rich, warming molasses. Enjoy an evening of seasonal cheer and sip it in front of a roaring open fire.

Buy it here.

Christmas Ale, St. Bernardus, Belgium (10%)

The Belgians do Christmas beer well and this seasonal ale is no exception. On pouring, it’s a thick dark-ruby colour with that traditional Belgian yeast flavour. Christmas spices, tart cherries and a generous measure of alcohol warmth make this sweet, fruity ale a festive classic.

Buy it here.

Beyond Modus VIII, The Wild Beer Co, Shepton Mallet (8%)

Making its debut in 2017, a small number of Beyond Modus bottles were kept back for special release. Time was then spent re-ageing the blend in wood for further maturation and to build more complexity and intensity. The result is a one-of-its-kind blended sour red ale, aged in red wine and bourbon barrels.

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Lasker, Buxton Brewery, Derbyshire (16.7%)

Lasker is a full-bodied imperial stout which has been aged in bourbon barrels. The first sip of this distinctive brew reveals notes of dark chocolate and forest fruits, and is followed by toffee, caramel, vanilla and oak flavours.

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Vintage Ale 2021, Fuller’s, London (8.5%)

Fuller’s release a vintage ale every year to showcase an exciting new recipe. In this year’s edition, the malts deliver toffee and raisin flavours, while the hops provide plum, tropical fruit and orange notes. Fuller’s famous yeast gives the beer its familiar orange-marmalade backbone.

Buy it here.

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