The festive season is upon us, and it’s the one time of year that we all decide to clean the house in a frenzy to welcome friends and family into our abodes to celebrate. Hubby and I have not quite emerged from the reclusive mindset that the lockdowns immersed us in, so this year is time to get our party on. To that end, my first suggestion is a perfect starter to your sophisticated soirée.
Champagne flutes at the ready, and canapés plated for arrivals – Beavertown Brewery’s Lazer Crush (see right) is a fruity beauty, non-alcoholic IPA. Serving this beer in delicate flutes will allow the citrus and tropical fruits to jump up and tantalise your nose. Flavours of lemon zest, grapefruit and lychees explode on the tongue, and a low bitterness on the finish leaves you wanting more. Make sure you rustle up some smoked salmon blinis, caramelised mushroom tartlets or deep-fried olives to go with it. It’s also a versatile beer, because it’s flavour-filled but completely hangover-free – great for anyone who wants to slam the metaphorical brakes on their seasonal alcohol consumption. The Beavertown story is a groovy one. Logan Plant – son of Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant – started brewing beer in the kitchen of his London home before he joined forces with a business partner to unleash Beavertown on the unsuspecting beer world in 2011. Fast forward to 2022, and the brewery was welcomed into the arms of the Heineken family, where Logan plays an advisory role.
"You can’t argue with the quality of stouts at this time of year"
Whether it’s your favourite choice of meat or a hearty vegetable wellington for your main festive meal, then an easy drinking partner is most definitely required. My suggestion is a beer that is golden and refreshing, with light citrus and aromatic notes, that also happens to be alcoholfree: Peroni 0.0% (see right). The world-famous brand has finally offered something so cunningly delicious that you would be hard-pressed to distinguish the difference between that and its 5% ABV cousin. There is a touch of class in this beer, which has made it Italy’s number-one premium lager beer since it was first brewed in 1963. It uses the exact same ingredients as the alcoholic version, and the gluten content is also reduced, complete with an endorsement by the Italian Coeliac Association.