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Colonel Custard's Christmas Ale

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An annual winter release in memory of Tusker, the brewery's terrier of seventeen and a half years, nicknamed Colonel Custard. It is a strong Scotch ale matured in bourbon barrels, and the strength varies by vintage. The brewery describes a deep, rich vanilla aroma and a silky smooth finish; notes for the latest edition add oak, toffee and roasted malt on the nose and toasted coconut and fruit cake in the taste, with a deep ruby colour.

ABV
10.1%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark22
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
vanillaroastedoak
vanilla
roasted
oak
toasty
malty
fruity
Aroma
Rich vanilla and oak dominate the nose, with layers of toffee and toasted coconut emerging beneath.
also:caramel
not found:hoppy,bready,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Colonel Custard's Christmas Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep ruby color with warm amber undertones, reflecting the bourbon barrel maturation and elevated roasted malt character. The beer presents good clarity with a dense, tan head that builds readily and clings persistently to the glass. Carbonation is moderate, appropriate to the style's full body.

deep rubyamber undertonesdense headgood clarity

◌ Aroma

Rich vanilla and oak dominate the nose, with layers of toffee and toasted coconut emerging beneath. Roasted malt provides a deep foundation, while hints of fruit cake spice and subtle bourbon warmth round out the aromatic profile. The nose reflects careful aging and blending without any harsh alcohol bite.

vanilla, oaktoffee, toasted coconutroasted maltfruit cake spice

◐ Taste

The palate opens with sweet malt and toffee notes, followed by toasted coconut and candied fruit character. Bitterness remains restrained at 20 IBU, allowing the bourbon barrel and roasted malt backbone to shine. The texture is silky and full-bodied, with warming alcohol well-integrated throughout.

toffee, coconutcandied fruitroasted malt backbonesilky texture

◑ Finish

Long, warming finish with lingering vanilla, oak, and subtle bourbon notes. The aftertaste remains clean and slightly sweet, with gentle roasted grain character that persists gently into the fade.

long finishvanilla oakwarming alcohol
83
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
83
Finish
81
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Colonel Custard's Christmas Ale

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About Scotch Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Scotch Ale?

Scotch Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Scotch Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same vanilla, smooth, rich character as Colonel Custard's Christmas Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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