McEwan’s Champion
Matt Phillips
Sep 08
|16:03
McEwan’s Champion
Autumn is now firmly upon us….the season of mellow fruitfulness. As the nights draw in and the daytime recedes into the long winter months, the spectre of gloom hangs heavy like Cicero’s Damocles. “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face” suggested Victor Hugo, failing that you could always try a generous dose of McEwan’s Champion Ale. Now part of the Scottish and Newcastle division of Heineken, McEwan’s are most famous for their mediocre yet enduring ‘export’ brand. Unlike the ‘export’ this 7.3% (abv) offering is a rich Christmas pudding of a beer guaranteed to warm even the frostiest of cockles. Its deep ruby hue is one you would expect from a strong winter ale. With bundles of preserved fruit flavours and hints of toffee and chocolate, some may find the finish a little on the sweet side. Personally I like the balance between the burnt caramel notes and the deep boozy punch. If, like me, you find winter to be a joyless, crushing bleakness, an all-consuming wretch of bitter interminable misery, punctuated by spiteful melancholy, then take solace in this warming winter wonderland of a beer.
Available at Tesco £1.67 for 500ml bottle.
