Last updated 16-JAN-1998

1. Old Chimneys: Winter Cloving (ABV 7.5%)
2. Fenland: Rudolph's Rocket Fuel (ABV 5.5%)
3. City of Cambridge: Bramling Traditional (ABV 5.4%)
4. Adnams: Tally Ho (ABV 6.5%)

The Beers

Adnams

Old - ABV 4.1%

A rich, dark and well-balanced winter ale with a dry finish.

Broadside - ABV 4.7%

A mid-brown beer with a fully rounded and well-balanced flavour.

Tally Ho - ABV 6.5% - Fourth place in Champion Beer of the Festival

A superb seasonal beer with a lingering bitter-sweet flavour.

Batemans

XB - ABV 3.7%

A pale brown bitter with a strong hop presence throughout. Malt is always there playing a fine supporting role. Bitter and refreshing.

Salem Porter - ABV 4.7%

A beautiful, compex, dark porter. The orchard fruit and hop nose are distinctive, leading to a roast malt and liquorice taste and a beautiful bitter finish.

Blue Moon

Liquid Misletoe - ABV 5.0%

A dark festive brew with cinnamon.

Buffys

9X - ABV 9.0%

Pale in colour, strong in taste. All too easily drinkable but should be treated with caution and respect.

Holly Beery - ABV 4.8%

A sweet and smooth ale, very drinkable.

City of Cambridge

Jet Black - ABV 3.8%

A dark mild with rich roast notes.

Hobson's Choice - ABV 4.1%

A golden ale with a full hop character.

Bramling Traditional - ABV 5.4% - Third place in Champion Beer of the Festival

A ruby-coloured seasonal ale brewed with Bramling Cross hops, a classic winter warmer hop.

Crouch Vale

Willie Warmer - ABV 6.4%

Dark, red and brimming with malt and fruit aromas. Reaches the parts...

Dark Tribe

Dixy's Midnight Runner - ABV 6.5%

A dark special beer, heavy with malt.

Deeping

Deeping Snow - ABV 5.0%

Dark, malty and rich.

Elgoods

Black Dog Mild - ABV 3.6% - Champion Mild of East Anglia 1997

Malt dominates the aroma of this dark ruby mild.

Old Black Shuck - ABV 4.5%

A seasonal stout with a smooth, dry finish.

Fenland

Rudolph's Rocket Fuel - ABV 5.5% - Second place in Champion Beer of the Festival

Dark Christmas Ale with ginger and cinnamon.

Iceni

It's Christmas - ABV 4.5%

A full-bodied amber seasonal ale with a sweet aftertaste.

Mauldon

Xmas Reserve - ABV 6.6%

Pale, malty and made for the season.

McMullen

Strong Hart - ABV 7.0%

A rich, fruity barley wine, sometimes bottled.

Mighty Oak

Burntwood - ABV 4.0% - Runner-up to the Champion Beer of East Anglia 1997

A well-balanced mid-brown bitter.

Bingle Jells - ABV 5.2%

Ruby red, full-bodied and hits the right note.

Nethergate

Bitter - ABV 4.0% - Runner-up to the Champion Beer of East Anglia 1997

A dark bitter with hop and malt aromas and a strong bitter finish.

Christmas - ABV 5.0%

A strong seasonal beer.

Old Chimneys

Winter Cloving - ABV 7.5% - Champion Beer of the Festival

Dark, rich brew with a hint of cloves.

Ridleys

Winter Winner - ABV 5.5%

A strong, warming seasonal beer.

St. Peters

Grapefruit - ABV 4.7%

A new pale brew, presumably with fruit notes?

Spiced Ale - ABV 6.5%

Dark, with cinnamon and apple.

Tolly Cobbold

Old Strong - ABV 5.0%

The longest running Winter Ale in the region. Dark, with a roast character throughout.

Wolf

Coyote - ABV 4.3%

A new bitter from a wylie brewer, already pronounced a howling success.

Timberwolf - ABV 5.8%

Rich red, dryish.

Woodforde

Wherry - ABV 3.8% - Champion Beer of East Anglia 1997

A bitter with a hoppy nose and a well-balanced palate.

Baldric - ABV 5.6%

A golden amber beer with an almost delicate hopping with some sweetness on the palate.