NEWS OF THE BREWS

Mr Scrooge's Humbug

Stockport-based Frederic Robinson has introduced a Christmas beer as its last seasonal cask brew for 2007.

Mr Scrooge's Humbug Bitter has an abv of 4.4% and will be available in the company's 400-plus pubs in the North West and North Wales. It will also be available nationally through its wholesale network.

The other seasonal beers released by the regional brewery during the year were Dark Horse, Dizzy Blonde and Flash Harry, each one celebrating a character the company believes to be synonymous with the real-life personalities found

in British pubs.

Yuletide

Suffolk brewer Adnams has created a dark ruby-coloured beer using four types of malted barley in time for the festive season. Yuletide is brewed to 4.5% abv and contains Maris Otter, Boadicea, Chinook and Amber malts.

Marketing director Simon Curzon said: "Fans of English beer want something a little different when they are out and about during the festive season. There is a plethora of novelty Christmas specials on the market, but we know there is a demand for brands with a great reputation for producing fantastic quality beers, such as Adnams, that the consumer knows and trusts." The beer is being released in mid-November.

Abbot Reserve

Greene King's entry into the seasonal Christmas beer market this year is a strong version of its popular Abbot Ale brand.

Abbot Reserve has an abv of 6.5% and is being pitched as "a perfect winter warmer on a cold night" as well as a food match for Christmas dinner and fruit cake.

Head brewer John Bexon said: "It is a distinctive full-bodied, smooth and mature beer bursting with rich fruit cake and toffee flavours. We are confident that this distinctive brew will prove a hit with ale lovers looking for a new festive tipple."

Abbot Ale has long since been Greene King's flagship brand and

the stronger variant is available to Greene King managed pubs and pub partners, the free trade and national account outlets over the winter

season only.