Marks & Spencer, Christmas Ale (England) (RP) This bottle-conditioned beer is brewed for M&S; by the Cropton Brewery in North Yorkshire, famous for its Two Pints bitter and Monksman�s Slaughter strong ale. The Christmas Ale is a feast in its own right: spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and citrus fruits, along with conventional malt and hops. It has a chestnut colour and an intensely spicy and herbal aroma, with orange peel and lemon notes balancing the spices. It�s rich and warming in the mouth, with cloves and nutmeg to the fore, and a good balance of creamy malt and tangy hops. There�s creamy malt and herbal and spicy notes in the finish with a good balance of hop resins and tart fruit. It�s a richly rewarding beer with pleasing alcoholic warmth and the ideal companion for Christmas meals or for drinking on its own. The beer is one of a substantial range introduced by M&S;, with a number of bottle-conditioned ales. While they are all �own label� beers, M&S; does in most cases name the breweries that produce them. Malt: moderate. Fruit: high. Hops: moderate. 6.2% ABV, 50cl, �2.19, Marks & Spencer.