Blog Tracker
24-12-2023, 22:50
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-is-nearly-here.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThEv9_eANverdqe5OflJoFkFpuGhZqzqS95gOgcKOYm Iqars_Lr0H6b-3bbWbUVE8qPND3GyOCaZA9J282jYJikofOORVjaVVI_QPvlN4A khEKgU0PQjARnjsTogakrBvn-kf922pHGZVmByYebXiISmtVRIjH9b_U7YZay6_b4uGn-B8hfHp86rsfYM/w300-h400/Christmas%20table.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThEv9_eANverdqe5OflJoFkFpuGhZqzqS95gOgcKOYm Iqars_Lr0H6b-3bbWbUVE8qPND3GyOCaZA9J282jYJikofOORVjaVVI_QPvlN4A khEKgU0PQjARnjsTogakrBvn-kf922pHGZVmByYebXiISmtVRIjH9b_U7YZay6_b4uGn-B8hfHp86rsfYM/s4043/Christmas%20table.jpg)
Christmas day is nearly upon us, and I have to say that, as inprevious years, it’s crept up on us and caught us unawares. When all is saidand done, Christmas is just another day, albeit with lot of fuss and faffingaround associated with it. To be fair though, it does brighten up the darkesttime of the year, so you can sort of see why the early Christian church adoptedthe old pagan festival of Yule, as a means of celebrating the slow, but steadylengthening of the days, following the winter solstice. At the moment, all three of us Bailey’s are caught up in theyo-yo effects of the latest respiratory virus that is doing the rounds. MrsPBT’s has been quite badly affected, and it seems that now son Matthew has alsogone down with this bug, something that is unusual for him, as he normally hasa cast iron constitution. Working in a forward-facing, customer service roll(retail), doesn’t help, but at least he can take things easy for a couple of daysbefore the mania of the Boxing Day sales kicks off on Wednesday.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38-dMtzw13m5JWUJRqhyphenhyphen64RxmkMjxj4SrFQ2OVsDQrz Shp0FktWNg48BoHvTgOl4-XBIc4uMzRS9IBQFuamfFSASpzeI3fkcvZfxiNGItAsW0NM2kAJ NUhBbysP6vif4z9K8eAV024aFZ2dGYMCpLNVkC2yeILwoQ6nZU t1pco7PDqNkA61VbhrlWclo/w400-h300/Christmas%20tree%20Bamberg.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38-dMtzw13m5JWUJRqhyphenhyphen64RxmkMjxj4SrFQ2OVsDQrz Shp0FktWNg48BoHvTgOl4-XBIc4uMzRS9IBQFuamfFSASpzeI3fkcvZfxiNGItAsW0NM2kAJ NUhBbysP6vif4z9K8eAV024aFZ2dGYMCpLNVkC2yeILwoQ6nZU t1pco7PDqNkA61VbhrlWclo/s1632/Christmas%20tree%20Bamberg.JPG)
Apart from feeling somewhat washed out, I’m OK, and will belooking forward to cracking open a few beers later on. As in previous years,I’ve built up quite a stock of both bottles and cans this year, although it’smainly the latter. As in previous years, it will be just the three of us,sitting down to Christmas dinner tomorrow. With Eileen and I having lost bothor respective sets of parents, and with siblings scattered far and wide, theChristmases where we all squeezed around the table are long gone.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB10bGduSHGFfeNzE6VLNIkxqAmXvb7RZaopkfWmwJZ K-f4Bt_02lifdXOjFaDaHLU5BKyKzECH27-xZmAZw66D9ozrpPhkhb4mcOd-Cg5YeCuGk-myNHCDhzrT3fwRCtPYUoNr1lL6b4oLEvsDRaqQo-3kaA1ZEIsODfV0wanwHt-7YcMxQdoGE9b8E/w400-h300/Christmas%20dinner.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB10bGduSHGFfeNzE6VLNIkxqAmXvb7RZaopkfWmwJZ K-f4Bt_02lifdXOjFaDaHLU5BKyKzECH27-xZmAZw66D9ozrpPhkhb4mcOd-Cg5YeCuGk-myNHCDhzrT3fwRCtPYUoNr1lL6b4oLEvsDRaqQo-3kaA1ZEIsODfV0wanwHt-7YcMxQdoGE9b8E/s3985/Christmas%20dinner.jpg)
I must say I prefer things with just the three of us, asthose large, family get togethers could be a little strained. Also, in timespast, they often involved me having to drive, and whilst I never intend gettingtrolleyed, I do enjoy a glass or three with my turkey dinner, and post dinneras well. Just as well, I suppose, as I’m once again without the use of a car,following an almost identical repeat of September’s glow plug warning lightissue, and a loss of power from the engine. This followed a drive home onFriday afternoon, following a shopping trip to the Tesco superstore at Riverhead.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKSNb-ku35TxtBaNsVmE2j_iT4ivC6tq0GReAbZuaL5qhfBJ_7VU8Y1O do6ITYWzS2fQmejIr0LdUlBKo3UYkzSVEdlv7ILRL4sWgPmIJU yhFWQbKJ1qfS6DDiG2V11_CXIjVFdsOngm1rUhkdsem7FMRYoK 9Q-Ffu1IR8Ggjtq2BfPG8I9rkHwFcXuc/w400-h225/Xmas%20Bottles.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKSNb-ku35TxtBaNsVmE2j_iT4ivC6tq0GReAbZuaL5qhfBJ_7VU8Y1O do6ITYWzS2fQmejIr0LdUlBKo3UYkzSVEdlv7ILRL4sWgPmIJU yhFWQbKJ1qfS6DDiG2V11_CXIjVFdsOngm1rUhkdsem7FMRYoK 9Q-Ffu1IR8Ggjtq2BfPG8I9rkHwFcXuc/s4000/Xmas%20Bottles.jpg)
Matthew and I had driven over to, to stock upon various Christmas goodies, of the food variety, in an annual fatherand son trip that has become something of a tradition in the Baileyhousehold. I’ve written about this before, so I won’t bore you with anyfurther details, apart from saying we normally make it an evening visit. Thinkingthe store would be less crowded during the afternoon, we arrive at Tesco shortlyafter 2pm and were surprised to find the place absolutely rammed. We got thatwrong, but after escaping from the store, and with our goodies safely stashedin the boot, we set off for home.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnZTlQDvTiRQQ20y5mAqPxybb9dIJAOyYPo88BTJUp-eS2bzcKi6CVv4Yv8GGr8e73gmgyEG6Tn0sTs-9Tyr3uR5Y0YgFtqnb3P2PFPtOoL5rtmw7T1gDTacLTTc1LMvxY BAQOTwyIli0Fe6dsgXyVLuE4qyRPILIXA8L7TD2-2nFtB-fB5jemwiTr0g/w230-h400/Yorkshire%20Stingo%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnZTlQDvTiRQQ20y5mAqPxybb9dIJAOyYPo88BTJUp-eS2bzcKi6CVv4Yv8GGr8e73gmgyEG6Tn0sTs-9Tyr3uR5Y0YgFtqnb3P2PFPtOoL5rtmw7T1gDTacLTTc1LMvxY BAQOTwyIli0Fe6dsgXyVLuE4qyRPILIXA8L7TD2-2nFtB-fB5jemwiTr0g/s3528/Yorkshire%20Stingo%20front.jpg)
We were motoring quite nicely, along the main A21 trunkroad, towards Tonbridge and had just reached the summit of River Hill, when thecar suddenly lost power and the glow-plug warning light started flashing on thedashboard. I had a real feeling of déjà vu, as this seemed an exact repeat (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-not-so-smart-road-to-nowhere.html)ofthe incident, we experienced on the M25, smart motorway, just three months ago,but this time around, I was determined to keep going and reach home, ratherthan having to be recovered from the side of the road.We made it back, without any dramas, and the vehicle isbooked in for a diagnostic check, this coming Thursday. September’s issue was afaulty fuel injector, and given the age of the car, and the mileage on theclock, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same thing. The annoying thing is Iwas planning (still am) to part-exchange the car against a newer model, so Icould do without the expense of repairing the vehicle, just to get shot of itin a few weeks’ time, but we will have to see how the maths works out, when setagainst the cost of repairs. In the meantime, I’m not too bothered about beingwithout a car, as I have my bus pass and railcard, and Matthew can ferry Eileenand I around, for a while.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZJTjMuU1O626cg4HD5-7CeTE1fpHkEKlvY-eSYJ1xSzrs3PuE0ZLA3gBmr0E6vXBVMRU8xNSVtU3ZBYRkr5h8 SrU-qJTJAMoP-nBk3TKbCpZyEQp-dU06t33eFVwkp2a6DG9y6zVtRhgld9xQQEGr7xQjTVXpVLGpL_ eP_OpiN6vuHJTInNJqrOJTg/w205-h400/Xmas%20tree.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZJTjMuU1O626cg4HD5-7CeTE1fpHkEKlvY-eSYJ1xSzrs3PuE0ZLA3gBmr0E6vXBVMRU8xNSVtU3ZBYRkr5h8 SrU-qJTJAMoP-nBk3TKbCpZyEQp-dU06t33eFVwkp2a6DG9y6zVtRhgld9xQQEGr7xQjTVXpVLGpL_ eP_OpiN6vuHJTInNJqrOJTg/s3492/Xmas%20tree.jpg)
So back to the festivities, or lack of them, as ourinfectious condition did mean us having to cry off from the annual “mulledwine, cider, sausage rolls and mince pies” with our neighbours down the road.I’ve a feeling we missed this annual get together last year, due to me havingCOVID, but whilst it’s nice catching up with what’s occurring down the street,I really don’t like mulled wine, and I’m quite particular over the cider Idrink, as well. I walked down to Waitrose yesterday, to collect our pre-orderedturkey crown, plus a few other bits and pieces. Whilst in the store, I bumpedinto an old friend who I hadn’t seen for some time, who was out shopping withhis wife. With seasonal aliments being one topic of conversation, my friend’s wifeinformed me that she’d been suffering from the “boomerang” effects of thischesty cough for the past six weeks – a prospect that fills me withconsiderable trepidation, apart from the fact she is probably a decade or soolder than me. Time to stock up on some strong, seasonal beers, methinks.
I’m tempted to crack open the bottle of Harvey’s Christmas Alethat I’ve got downstairs, although I shall probably opt for the bottle of WestmalleDubbel, that I left chilling slightly, on the back doorstep, because as it isthe season to be jolly, I can’t think of anything better than a rich, dark, andwarming winter ale. Writer Jonny Garrett has this topic nailed, in his excellent“A Year in Beer” book that I read last year. I made a list somewhere, inspiredby Jonny’s book, of the best beer and food pairings, and I’ve just managed tolay my hands on it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3ao3WE6PcRlF5Y2Tu_3WAjHfeg_iEVSRUuLpkquKkv P9-7FDzO8WFXDtLcobZiLoaSdvKdWzpK2Sn1VvJD4jL6gD6e2TZ6X EwZvVoDAqF2eNtsKFFYFebfZ9j62fQg8gw94DUNqDc-z8Ps_bYP_ctEKCuZx9_VRREhITwYhrmEv5QrfZWMwezkoPE5A/w296-h400/A%20year%20in%20Beer.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3ao3WE6PcRlF5Y2Tu_3WAjHfeg_iEVSRUuLpkquKkv P9-7FDzO8WFXDtLcobZiLoaSdvKdWzpK2Sn1VvJD4jL6gD6e2TZ6X EwZvVoDAqF2eNtsKFFYFebfZ9j62fQg8gw94DUNqDc-z8Ps_bYP_ctEKCuZx9_VRREhITwYhrmEv5QrfZWMwezkoPE5A/s499/A%20year%20in%20Beer.jpg)
There’s nothing that out of the ordinary on the list, so Ishould be safe with my carefully accumulated collection of Quadrupels – for theChristmas pudding, strong porters and even that bottle of St Bernardus ChristmasAle that I’ve got, stashed away in the cupboard under the stairs. For “inbetween” drinking, I’ve got several bottles of Pilsner Urquell keeping cool. Asfor the main event, there’s my perennial favourite, Fullers 1845. Coming in at6.5% abv, this strong and full-bodied, bottle-conditioned amber ale is just thething for a roast turkey, Christmas dinner.Still to come is my look-back at 2023, with particular regardto beer and travel. This is something I’ve done for most years, in common with mostother beer bloggers and writers. In the meantime, though, I’d like to wish eachand everyone of you a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year,and thank-you all for staying the course, and continuing to read this blog.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-is-nearly-here.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThEv9_eANverdqe5OflJoFkFpuGhZqzqS95gOgcKOYm Iqars_Lr0H6b-3bbWbUVE8qPND3GyOCaZA9J282jYJikofOORVjaVVI_QPvlN4A khEKgU0PQjARnjsTogakrBvn-kf922pHGZVmByYebXiISmtVRIjH9b_U7YZay6_b4uGn-B8hfHp86rsfYM/w300-h400/Christmas%20table.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThEv9_eANverdqe5OflJoFkFpuGhZqzqS95gOgcKOYm Iqars_Lr0H6b-3bbWbUVE8qPND3GyOCaZA9J282jYJikofOORVjaVVI_QPvlN4A khEKgU0PQjARnjsTogakrBvn-kf922pHGZVmByYebXiISmtVRIjH9b_U7YZay6_b4uGn-B8hfHp86rsfYM/s4043/Christmas%20table.jpg)
Christmas day is nearly upon us, and I have to say that, as inprevious years, it’s crept up on us and caught us unawares. When all is saidand done, Christmas is just another day, albeit with lot of fuss and faffingaround associated with it. To be fair though, it does brighten up the darkesttime of the year, so you can sort of see why the early Christian church adoptedthe old pagan festival of Yule, as a means of celebrating the slow, but steadylengthening of the days, following the winter solstice. At the moment, all three of us Bailey’s are caught up in theyo-yo effects of the latest respiratory virus that is doing the rounds. MrsPBT’s has been quite badly affected, and it seems that now son Matthew has alsogone down with this bug, something that is unusual for him, as he normally hasa cast iron constitution. Working in a forward-facing, customer service roll(retail), doesn’t help, but at least he can take things easy for a couple of daysbefore the mania of the Boxing Day sales kicks off on Wednesday.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38-dMtzw13m5JWUJRqhyphenhyphen64RxmkMjxj4SrFQ2OVsDQrz Shp0FktWNg48BoHvTgOl4-XBIc4uMzRS9IBQFuamfFSASpzeI3fkcvZfxiNGItAsW0NM2kAJ NUhBbysP6vif4z9K8eAV024aFZ2dGYMCpLNVkC2yeILwoQ6nZU t1pco7PDqNkA61VbhrlWclo/w400-h300/Christmas%20tree%20Bamberg.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38-dMtzw13m5JWUJRqhyphenhyphen64RxmkMjxj4SrFQ2OVsDQrz Shp0FktWNg48BoHvTgOl4-XBIc4uMzRS9IBQFuamfFSASpzeI3fkcvZfxiNGItAsW0NM2kAJ NUhBbysP6vif4z9K8eAV024aFZ2dGYMCpLNVkC2yeILwoQ6nZU t1pco7PDqNkA61VbhrlWclo/s1632/Christmas%20tree%20Bamberg.JPG)
Apart from feeling somewhat washed out, I’m OK, and will belooking forward to cracking open a few beers later on. As in previous years,I’ve built up quite a stock of both bottles and cans this year, although it’smainly the latter. As in previous years, it will be just the three of us,sitting down to Christmas dinner tomorrow. With Eileen and I having lost bothor respective sets of parents, and with siblings scattered far and wide, theChristmases where we all squeezed around the table are long gone.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB10bGduSHGFfeNzE6VLNIkxqAmXvb7RZaopkfWmwJZ K-f4Bt_02lifdXOjFaDaHLU5BKyKzECH27-xZmAZw66D9ozrpPhkhb4mcOd-Cg5YeCuGk-myNHCDhzrT3fwRCtPYUoNr1lL6b4oLEvsDRaqQo-3kaA1ZEIsODfV0wanwHt-7YcMxQdoGE9b8E/w400-h300/Christmas%20dinner.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB10bGduSHGFfeNzE6VLNIkxqAmXvb7RZaopkfWmwJZ K-f4Bt_02lifdXOjFaDaHLU5BKyKzECH27-xZmAZw66D9ozrpPhkhb4mcOd-Cg5YeCuGk-myNHCDhzrT3fwRCtPYUoNr1lL6b4oLEvsDRaqQo-3kaA1ZEIsODfV0wanwHt-7YcMxQdoGE9b8E/s3985/Christmas%20dinner.jpg)
I must say I prefer things with just the three of us, asthose large, family get togethers could be a little strained. Also, in timespast, they often involved me having to drive, and whilst I never intend gettingtrolleyed, I do enjoy a glass or three with my turkey dinner, and post dinneras well. Just as well, I suppose, as I’m once again without the use of a car,following an almost identical repeat of September’s glow plug warning lightissue, and a loss of power from the engine. This followed a drive home onFriday afternoon, following a shopping trip to the Tesco superstore at Riverhead.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKSNb-ku35TxtBaNsVmE2j_iT4ivC6tq0GReAbZuaL5qhfBJ_7VU8Y1O do6ITYWzS2fQmejIr0LdUlBKo3UYkzSVEdlv7ILRL4sWgPmIJU yhFWQbKJ1qfS6DDiG2V11_CXIjVFdsOngm1rUhkdsem7FMRYoK 9Q-Ffu1IR8Ggjtq2BfPG8I9rkHwFcXuc/w400-h225/Xmas%20Bottles.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKSNb-ku35TxtBaNsVmE2j_iT4ivC6tq0GReAbZuaL5qhfBJ_7VU8Y1O do6ITYWzS2fQmejIr0LdUlBKo3UYkzSVEdlv7ILRL4sWgPmIJU yhFWQbKJ1qfS6DDiG2V11_CXIjVFdsOngm1rUhkdsem7FMRYoK 9Q-Ffu1IR8Ggjtq2BfPG8I9rkHwFcXuc/s4000/Xmas%20Bottles.jpg)
Matthew and I had driven over to, to stock upon various Christmas goodies, of the food variety, in an annual fatherand son trip that has become something of a tradition in the Baileyhousehold. I’ve written about this before, so I won’t bore you with anyfurther details, apart from saying we normally make it an evening visit. Thinkingthe store would be less crowded during the afternoon, we arrive at Tesco shortlyafter 2pm and were surprised to find the place absolutely rammed. We got thatwrong, but after escaping from the store, and with our goodies safely stashedin the boot, we set off for home.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnZTlQDvTiRQQ20y5mAqPxybb9dIJAOyYPo88BTJUp-eS2bzcKi6CVv4Yv8GGr8e73gmgyEG6Tn0sTs-9Tyr3uR5Y0YgFtqnb3P2PFPtOoL5rtmw7T1gDTacLTTc1LMvxY BAQOTwyIli0Fe6dsgXyVLuE4qyRPILIXA8L7TD2-2nFtB-fB5jemwiTr0g/w230-h400/Yorkshire%20Stingo%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnZTlQDvTiRQQ20y5mAqPxybb9dIJAOyYPo88BTJUp-eS2bzcKi6CVv4Yv8GGr8e73gmgyEG6Tn0sTs-9Tyr3uR5Y0YgFtqnb3P2PFPtOoL5rtmw7T1gDTacLTTc1LMvxY BAQOTwyIli0Fe6dsgXyVLuE4qyRPILIXA8L7TD2-2nFtB-fB5jemwiTr0g/s3528/Yorkshire%20Stingo%20front.jpg)
We were motoring quite nicely, along the main A21 trunkroad, towards Tonbridge and had just reached the summit of River Hill, when thecar suddenly lost power and the glow-plug warning light started flashing on thedashboard. I had a real feeling of déjà vu, as this seemed an exact repeat (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-not-so-smart-road-to-nowhere.html)ofthe incident, we experienced on the M25, smart motorway, just three months ago,but this time around, I was determined to keep going and reach home, ratherthan having to be recovered from the side of the road.We made it back, without any dramas, and the vehicle isbooked in for a diagnostic check, this coming Thursday. September’s issue was afaulty fuel injector, and given the age of the car, and the mileage on theclock, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same thing. The annoying thing is Iwas planning (still am) to part-exchange the car against a newer model, so Icould do without the expense of repairing the vehicle, just to get shot of itin a few weeks’ time, but we will have to see how the maths works out, when setagainst the cost of repairs. In the meantime, I’m not too bothered about beingwithout a car, as I have my bus pass and railcard, and Matthew can ferry Eileenand I around, for a while.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZJTjMuU1O626cg4HD5-7CeTE1fpHkEKlvY-eSYJ1xSzrs3PuE0ZLA3gBmr0E6vXBVMRU8xNSVtU3ZBYRkr5h8 SrU-qJTJAMoP-nBk3TKbCpZyEQp-dU06t33eFVwkp2a6DG9y6zVtRhgld9xQQEGr7xQjTVXpVLGpL_ eP_OpiN6vuHJTInNJqrOJTg/w205-h400/Xmas%20tree.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajZJTjMuU1O626cg4HD5-7CeTE1fpHkEKlvY-eSYJ1xSzrs3PuE0ZLA3gBmr0E6vXBVMRU8xNSVtU3ZBYRkr5h8 SrU-qJTJAMoP-nBk3TKbCpZyEQp-dU06t33eFVwkp2a6DG9y6zVtRhgld9xQQEGr7xQjTVXpVLGpL_ eP_OpiN6vuHJTInNJqrOJTg/s3492/Xmas%20tree.jpg)
So back to the festivities, or lack of them, as ourinfectious condition did mean us having to cry off from the annual “mulledwine, cider, sausage rolls and mince pies” with our neighbours down the road.I’ve a feeling we missed this annual get together last year, due to me havingCOVID, but whilst it’s nice catching up with what’s occurring down the street,I really don’t like mulled wine, and I’m quite particular over the cider Idrink, as well. I walked down to Waitrose yesterday, to collect our pre-orderedturkey crown, plus a few other bits and pieces. Whilst in the store, I bumpedinto an old friend who I hadn’t seen for some time, who was out shopping withhis wife. With seasonal aliments being one topic of conversation, my friend’s wifeinformed me that she’d been suffering from the “boomerang” effects of thischesty cough for the past six weeks – a prospect that fills me withconsiderable trepidation, apart from the fact she is probably a decade or soolder than me. Time to stock up on some strong, seasonal beers, methinks.
I’m tempted to crack open the bottle of Harvey’s Christmas Alethat I’ve got downstairs, although I shall probably opt for the bottle of WestmalleDubbel, that I left chilling slightly, on the back doorstep, because as it isthe season to be jolly, I can’t think of anything better than a rich, dark, andwarming winter ale. Writer Jonny Garrett has this topic nailed, in his excellent“A Year in Beer” book that I read last year. I made a list somewhere, inspiredby Jonny’s book, of the best beer and food pairings, and I’ve just managed tolay my hands on it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3ao3WE6PcRlF5Y2Tu_3WAjHfeg_iEVSRUuLpkquKkv P9-7FDzO8WFXDtLcobZiLoaSdvKdWzpK2Sn1VvJD4jL6gD6e2TZ6X EwZvVoDAqF2eNtsKFFYFebfZ9j62fQg8gw94DUNqDc-z8Ps_bYP_ctEKCuZx9_VRREhITwYhrmEv5QrfZWMwezkoPE5A/w296-h400/A%20year%20in%20Beer.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3ao3WE6PcRlF5Y2Tu_3WAjHfeg_iEVSRUuLpkquKkv P9-7FDzO8WFXDtLcobZiLoaSdvKdWzpK2Sn1VvJD4jL6gD6e2TZ6X EwZvVoDAqF2eNtsKFFYFebfZ9j62fQg8gw94DUNqDc-z8Ps_bYP_ctEKCuZx9_VRREhITwYhrmEv5QrfZWMwezkoPE5A/s499/A%20year%20in%20Beer.jpg)
There’s nothing that out of the ordinary on the list, so Ishould be safe with my carefully accumulated collection of Quadrupels – for theChristmas pudding, strong porters and even that bottle of St Bernardus ChristmasAle that I’ve got, stashed away in the cupboard under the stairs. For “inbetween” drinking, I’ve got several bottles of Pilsner Urquell keeping cool. Asfor the main event, there’s my perennial favourite, Fullers 1845. Coming in at6.5% abv, this strong and full-bodied, bottle-conditioned amber ale is just thething for a roast turkey, Christmas dinner.Still to come is my look-back at 2023, with particular regardto beer and travel. This is something I’ve done for most years, in common with mostother beer bloggers and writers. In the meantime, though, I’d like to wish eachand everyone of you a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year,and thank-you all for staying the course, and continuing to read this blog.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-is-nearly-here.html)