hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Christmouse

Tap to rate

A ruby-red to brown seasonal ale. The aroma is toffee, the flavour combines roast malt and spice, and the finish is smooth. It is the stronger, richer and darker of the brewery's two Christmas beers. At 5.1% it is served cask-conditioned in the weeks around Christmas, while the bottled version is reserved for a single inn on Dartmoor.

ABV
5.1%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedcaramelmalty
roasted
caramel
malty
spicy
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced toffee and caramel notes, layered with gentle roast malt undertones.
not found:hoppy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Christmouse

◎ Appearance

Christmouse presents a ruby-red to deep brown hue, characteristic of its darker seasonal profile. The cask-conditioned expression shows good clarity with a modest, creamy head that settles into fine lacing around the glass. Carbonation is restrained, befitting a traditional ale format.

ruby-red to brownclear, creamy headlow carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced toffee and caramel notes, layered with gentle roast malt undertones. Subtle spice emerges beneath—a warming complexity that suggests mulling spices rather than sharp hop character. The overall impression is rich and inviting without aggressive top notes.

toffee, caramelroast maltwarming spice

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty, with roasted grain flavors building across the palate. Spice notes become more pronounced mid-palate, adding structure and gentle warmth. Bitterness is measured at 28 IBU, providing balance without dominating; the finish leans toward the sweet side of dry, with lingering malt sweetness.

roasted maltbalanced spicesmooth texturerestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and lingering, with residual toffee and malt sweetness fading gradually. A gentle warming sensation persists, inviting another sip.

smooth aftertastewarming finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
77
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Christmouse

More from Summerskills Brewery

Akela IPA
Akela IPA
IPA
4.8% · 60 IBU
Find matches →
Blondie
Blondie
Blonde Ale
4.6% · 15 IBU
Find matches →
Bolt Head
Bolt Head
Best Bitter
4.7% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill
Strong Bitter
5.1% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Dark Saison
Dark Saison
Saison
6.3% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Devon Dew
Devon Dew
Golden Ale
4.5% · 20 IBU
Find matches →
Devon Frost
Devon Frost
Golden Ale
4.5% · 20 IBU
Find matches →
Dragon Gold
Dragon Gold
Pale Ale
4.8% · 35 IBU
Find matches →

About Winter Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Winter Ale?

Winter 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 Winter Ale

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

Compare with another beer →