Products: Swig Swag
If you’re find of a festive tipple, why not try something different this year? Start with some bangers made right here in Kent. We’ve picked out a few that may well knock your socks off
FUGGLES BEER CAFE - #FUGSCLUB
Whenever we head to Tonbridge or TW, we inevitably end up stopping for a cheeky one in the Fuggles Beer Cafe. Imagine our delight when we heard about the #FUGSCLUB monthly beer box.
Each month the team will curate a mixed box of 12 beers from breweries from both the UK and beyond. There are three styles of boxes to choose from complete with tasting notes each month: Pale/IPA box - a selection of 12 hop forward beers; Belgian/German styles - classic European styles and some modern interpretations from further afield (at times this box may contain 9 beers and one bigger sharing bottle); or the Dealer’s Choice - a showcase of some of favourite beers encompassing all styles from all places.
Payments (from £35 a month) are taken on or around the 1st of the month, with beers delivered shortly after.
INFO: fugglesbeercafe.co.uk
INSTA: @fugglesbeercafe
TURNERS - APPLE PIE CIDER
Flavoured with a secret blend of Christmas spices including cinnamon, ginger and cloves, Apple Pie Cider (4%) is equally delicious served hot or cold.
Just gently warm it up (don’t boil!) in a saucepan or microwave. It’ll even make your house smell Christmassy! For an extra kick add a shot of spiced rum.
Using only Kentish dessert and culinary fruit, the award-winning family business Turners has produced a range of bottled and bag-in-box ciders since 2015.
It’s stocked by independent retailers across Kent including Macknade in Faversham, Gibson’s near Canterbury and The Offy in Whitstable. Or you can order direct from Turners at £40 for a case of 12 x 500ml bottles, £25 for a five-litre box or £12 for a three bottle gift set.
INFO: turnerscider.co.uk
INSTA: @turners_cider
ANNO DISTILLERS - EXTREME 95
Developed by scientists with a taste for adventure, Anno Extreme 95 was produced with one goal in mind - to create ‘the spirit of alchemy’!
It’s a gin (95%) that packs more punch and flavour, drop for drop than any other in the world.
Using an extended distillation process to extract huge flavour, the West Kent team has packed plenty into a 20cl bottle. Just a 5ml measure gives you a full flavoured G&T with 75% less alcohol (don’t worry you get a mini measuring beaker with each purchase)!
Botanicals include juniper, coriander, cassia, fennel, grapefruit, eucalyptus, nutmeg, Kentish hops and liquorice.
For a lower alcohol serve, pour a 5ml measure of gin over ice and top up with 120ml of premium tonic and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
For a stronger serve, measure 25ml of gin, pour over ice and top up with 120ml of premium tonic water and garnish with a sprig of bruised thyme.
INFO: https://annodistillers.co.uk/
INSTA: @annodistillers
NORTHDOWN BREWERY - PALE ALE MARY
Margate’s Northdown Brewery has had chins wagging since they opened in2018 and they now supply alehouses, micro pubs, restaurants and galleries across Kent and the UK.
The funky, oft-Margate-related artwork means you can pick out one of their beers a mile off.
We have picked out the stunning Pale Ale Mary (4%) for this issue, as not only did it take home the Taste of Kent Kent Beer of the Year 2020 title, but it's a lovely little drop, too.
A classic pale ale it’s brimming with delicate aroma and a deft hop/malt balance with subtle bitterness and a biscuity, crisp taste. Vegan friendly, a case of 12x500ml bottles will set you back £27. A perfect tipple.