Yuletide is our seasonal winter warmer, brewed for the ebb and flow of the festive season. A beer that’s set to become synonymous with Christmas, whether it’s enjoyed at lively celebrations, or in those moments of quiet contemplation by a roaring log fire.
Returning to the Adnams range, Yuletide was first brewed in 2007 and enjoyed around Christmas for a number of years, before it drifted away. It returned occasionally as a favourite at winter beer festivals, but now it’s back with bells on, and heading to the top of our lists.
Inspired by his own excitement to try Anchor Brewing Company’s Christmas release each year, our head brewer, Dan, has brought Yuletide back and emboldened its original recipe with heaps of moreish malt and his own secret blend of seasonal spices. He’s crafted a beer you’ll look forward to reacquainting yourself with as Christmas rolls in, when you can sit back and savour that year’s special touches.
Yuletide has been brewed with a huge bill of East Anglian malts including Pale Ale, Munich, Chocolate, Extra-Dark Crystal, Amber, Double-Roasted Crystal and Red Rye Pale Ale. It has rich coffee and chocolate notes as a result. It is hopped with Pilgrim from the UK and lots of Cascade from the States and Dan’s selection of secret seasonal spices. On the palate it’s subtly spiced and then wham… that massive Cascade hit of blackcurrant, grapefruit, citrus and light florals.
“My stepdad and I had would have an annual tradition of buying Anchor’s Christmas beer, Our Special Ale,” said Dan. “Every year it was different. The mystique behind its recipe and secret spices and ingredients captivated me. There was one year where it just blew my socks off – the delicate blend of spice and hops. I think they really were the pioneers of the American craft brewing movement alongside Sierra Nevada. Their owner and brewmaster, Fritz Maytag, was a revolutionary, who started using a lot of American hops for aroma.
“Their Christmas beer was born out of Liberty ale, which was originally inspired by the British ales Fritz encountered during travels around Britian. He was hugely influenced by British brewing. The beer they brewed at Christmas evolved into Our Special Ale and drew further inspiration from some of the brown ales in the UK. The recipe was ever evolving, changing year on year.
“Yuletide is my homage to Fritz and his Christmas ale and will be similarly brewed with a careful selection of secret spices alongside loads of Cascade hops. It will be subtly spiced, with a massive Cascade aroma of blackcurrant, grapefruit, citrus and slightly floral. I hope this brew honours him well.
“Sometimes we lose a bit of the mystique, and nothing is really secret anymore. At Christmas, I like the idea of retaining some magic and that surprise and excitement. I’d like people to invest, as I did each year, when I was trying to work out Anchor’s spice blend.”
Yuletide’s citrus and roasted flavours should work well with roasted meats and vegetables and seasonal specialities like orange-glazed duck. It is available on the bar as a seasonal release in cask and for enjoying at home in 440ml cans.