Advent of advent

Crate expectations: December's drinks diary

Only the waiting remains. The crate is full, the calendar made. 

Now, like countless school children across the land, it falls to me to resist opening a square before December begins.

As with every year, I'm going to make a real effort to keep in on track for the whole of December, but regular readers will know that's a more difficult task than it sounds. Yet with some good luck, a fair wind and, crucially, very little work lined up for December, I think I've a better chance this year than I've ever had before.

That said, this year's social diary looks busier than it has before, despite no longer having an office Christmas bash to attend. Must remember to book my annual post-Christmas slot at the Priory.

If anyone would like to join in with the festivities this year and, you know, post some comments, below is a list of the beers in this year's crate. I've no idea what's behind each of the numbers, but it's a fairly safe bet the Delirium's under number three, isn't it?

So, in no particular order, they are:

Magic Hat #9
Brasserie Lefèbre Barbar Bok
Orval Trappist Ale
Mikeller The American Dream
Brooklyn Lager
Kernel Export Porter Cacao
Summer Wine Brewery Mokko Milk Stout
Redchurch Brewery Old Ford Export Stout

Kernel Imperial Brown Stout

To Ol Mochachino Messiah
De Dolle Brouwers Oerbier
Jupiler Bière Blonde
De Molen Geboren & Getogen
Sierra Nevada Imperial Red Ale
Lindemans Cuvée René
Brewfist Burocracy
Kernel B.A.D.S.C.C.A.NS. Galaxy IPA
Lovibonds 69IPA
Winsor & Eton Kohinoor IPA
Delerium Nocturnum
Ska Brewing Pinstripe Red Ale
Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout
Curious IPA
Dominion Hop Mountain Pale Ale