Cakes & Ale

ARTWORK BY Agnes Xantippa Boman

LEBKUCHEN WINTER BEER

6.3% ABV
SEASONS CHANGE

‘Dost thou think that because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?’
– Twelfth Night: Act 2 Scene 3

More Shakespeare in craft beer. That’s what we say. And reach for that cake. Reach for that ale at Christmas. Treat yerself!

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Cakes & Ale was our festive release of 2024 and may well become our annual Christmas special.

Packed with fresh ginger and locally sourced honey, it is not based on any particular style. Rather, the flavours of the famous German festive cookie were naturally emulated. A small addition of spices were added: mainly ginger and cinnamon with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, cloves and green cardamom. Other adjuncts, which are commonly found in lebkuchen recipes, were added too: fresh lemon and orange zest and honey roasted almonds.

At the base you have Maris Otter for a decent sweetness alongside several specially selected crystal malts for their nutty, caramel and toasted impartations. FYI: Best Caramel Aromatic and Caramel Munich III were truly a winning combination if you’re wanting baked nutty sweetness!

The result? Orange blossom and zest on the nose followed by honeyed ginger on the palate atop luxuriously caramelised and mildly nutty maltiness. It is not a dark or heavy beer. It holds a deep glowing red colour; rich but not too rich, sweet but not saccharine, Cakes & Ale is a lovely Winter treat.