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Christmas beers Buy the case, print-off this page, and compare your notes with Tom's! Meteor Biere de Noël (France) The Alsace brewery of Meteor has a relatively light, crisp take on the Christmas beer theme, with a moderate 5.8% ABV in their caramel-coloured beer, that pours with an off-white head. The nose here is distinctive, with notes of buttered popcorn, some spice and a floral edge to orangy fruit. There's something very estery, like Parma violets or other confectionery too. On that palate that aromatic, floral character persists, with a fairly thick body, and a deal of initial sweetness. A chewy, malty character builds through the mid-palate, and this finishes with a drier, more weighty appeal than that initial, high-toned aromatic suggested. Fascinating stuff. 5.8% ABV, 65cl. Jenlain Noël (France) Jenlain's Christmas beer is brewed seasonally with dark roasted malts and aromatic Alsace hops. It pours a rich, dark amber colour with a moderate cream-coloured head. The nose has a distinctive note of marmalade oranges, with a base of caramel and a fine, grassy character beneath. On the palate it is smooth and medium- to full-bodied, with an initally sweet attack giving way to a braod spice, orange and plum fruitiness on the mid-palate, and a refreshingly tart and crisp, hoppy finish. Also in 25cl bottles at the same strength. 6.8% ABV, 75cl. Samichlaus Bier 2006 (Austria) 'Santa Claus' is brewed once per year, in December, and released with a vintage date 10 months later. The label claims "Strongest Lager Beer in the world", and at 14% ABV, that seems fair. The beer pours a dark amber colour, with a dense, but quickly dissipating off-white head. It is not the most aromatic of beers, but there is an intense fruity note of cherry and red berries, with some Christmas cake spice and dried fruit. In the mouth it is powerful, dense and smooth, with an immediate rush of sweetness, before a very Scotch whisky-like character emerges. That raisiny sweetness persists through the mid-palate, with more malty, treacley notes pushing through. It is a balanced beer, with heady alcohol showing up in the finish, but also good acidity and a nip of assertive hops. Surprisingly drinkable given its massive alcohol, and very enjoyable. 14.0% ABV, 33cl.  Choose your pack(s) on the next page Price includes delivery to UK mainland postcodes

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