Christmas products: Drink

Mulled Ginger Wine​

Halewood International has launched Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine for the on-trade and take-home markets for the winter period. Following on from the product’s limited edition release last year, Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine is ideally served warm in a tall glass with cinnamon sticks and citrus peel garnish. It could also be used by licensees to pour over a mince pie. Richard Clark, director of innovation at Halewood International, said: ““Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine provides consumers with a recognisable branded festive choice. The ginger spice twist differentiates it from other products available on the market.” The product is packaged in a 70cl glass bottle with an ABV of 12 per cent.​

Medieval ale ​

Sharp’s brewery is set to launch Abbey Christmas, a festive-themed ale which is an interpretation of an ale drunk in the medieval ages at monasteries in Cornwall. Available to the on-trade from 14 November, the ale is brewed to a reddish brown colour by combining the skills learnt from Trappist brewing in Belgium and by using local ingredients. Abbey Christmas also includes ingredients sourced by the Eden Project. “The bittersweet flavour of Abbey Christmas makes it a must-buy,” said Stuart Howe, head brewer at Sharp’s. “It combines a full body with a tart and hoppy finish. Festive aromas combining bubble gum and floral hops with liquorice and golden syrup, makes Abbey Christmas a truly unique and delicious Christmas beer. “

Christmas coffee​

Specialist coffee supplier Cherizena have launched a new festive flavour. Available to the on-trade now and to the off-trade later this year, the limited edition flavour is made with a combination of rum, hazelnut, cinnamon, vanilla, orange and pecan nut flavours. “Last year’s blend was so popular that we’ve kept to a similar recipe for the Cherizena Christmas Coffee 2011, but have just added a little bit of hazelnut and a touch of pecan nut,” said Kate Jones, who runs Cherizena near Melton Mowbray. The Christmas coffee is available in packs up to a kilo in size. It can also be teamed up with Cherizena’s ‘snip and pour’ packs for filter machines, which are available in boxes of 50. Orders are now being taken for trade customers, with a 10 per cent discount given on trade orders placed before the end of September.

Winter Shield ale​

Molson Coors brewing company are set to release a Christmas cask ale available to the on-trade market. William Worthington’s Winter Shield ale will be available as part of Molson Coors’s Guest Ales range from 20 October until 31 December. The strength of the beer is balanced with traditional hops, giving a full, warming flavour and character. Simon Cox, director of sales for the independent on-trade at Molson Coors, said: “Cask ale has proved to be a star performer in a tough market and is the perfect addition for any business looking to increase profitability and footfall. Its exclusivity within pubs, full bodied taste and unique heritage has created an offering that continues to outperform the rest of the beer market. Our new range of own brand guest ales have been designed to reflect the expanding diversity, experimentation and creativity within the cask sector.”