8 CBD Drinks To Relax You Over Winter

Every year, more and more people are becoming familiar with CBD and at The Three Drinkers, we like to keep a particular eye on CBD infused drinks. There can be a lot of misconceptions about CBD so with the dark nights drawing in, what better time for us to give you the lowdown on what CBD is and which drinks you should try!

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring molecule that plants in the cannabis family produce. Now for people not familiar with it, the confusion can arise from the fact that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also in cannabis plants, and this is what produces the ‘high’ associated with marijuana.

CBD does not come with this ‘high’. Instead, it has shown to be beneficial for deep relaxation and stress relief, hence why you’ve seen it popping up all over the place over the last decade. So, if you want to combine a delicious drink with something to de-stress and pick you up from any winter blues, CBD drinks are well worth trying!

Gin

Cloud Gin

In many ways this is a classic gin, except nestled amongst the familiar juniper, coriander and blueberry botanicals is CBD. Masterminded by two brothers in Yorkshire, they chose to emphasise the similarities of CBD and alcohol in calming anxiety. And so, born in the overlap of that Venn diagram was Cloud Gin. It’s perfect for sipping the evening away after a stressful day and a beautiful bottle that’s worth keeping too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: 35mg
Find here: £39.95

Rum

Dead Man’s Fingers Hemp Rum

With their eye for experimentation, it’s no surprise that Dead Man’s Fingers has its own CBD drink – the world’s first CBD hemp rum! It was awarded Gold at the Rum Masters in 2020, with praise for the herbal grassy notes, pine, coffee, and a warming spicy finish. Hemp contains CBD naturally, but this won’t be as strong in that department as some others on the list. Enjoy it with some ginger ale, or in an ‘Ernest Hempingway’ cocktail because why not!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: Minimal
Find here: £22

Vodka

Aqua Sativa Hazy Dry

Formerly known as Strangeways Spirits, Aqua Sativa is continuing its aim to become a pioneer of CBD drinks, and with the Best Alcoholic Beverage Award at the World CBD Awards in the bag, their vodka has to be a must try. Hand-crafted, distilled and bottled in Manchester, try it on the rocks with lemon and see what you think!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: 20mg
Find here: £37.99

Beer/Cider

Cannabrew

Back in 2019, Elliot Horner started exploring CBD to ease his aches and pains from rugby. He ended up merging that with his passion for craft beer and arrived at Cannabrew – one of the UK’s first CBD breweries. The CBD oil used is specifically made to work well with the range of beers and ciders, and what a range! Somerset Cloud cider, clean and crisp Soul lager and a citrusy Session IPA. They actually have even more, but we think these are a great place to start. Cannabrew is completely vegan, plastic free and even has a tree planting scheme, so it won’t just be the CBD giving you a feel good factor!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5% (Cider 4%)
CBD: 15mg
Find here: £19.99 6x330ml

Bitters

OTO

OTO is a reliable and renowned name in the CBD world, with skincare, pure oil, and other products available, but it’s their bitters we’re interested in. It’s a blend of herbaceous botanicals that adds to your drink, from a few drops in your morning coffee, to a dash in a Friday night cocktail. Unlike the other drinks on this list, these are much stronger, so whilst it may be much pricier, only tiny amounts are needed to bring on the calmness.

Size: 75ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 1350mg
Find here: £51.75

No Alcohol

Goodrays

Goodrays is one of the loudest voices educating people about the often-misunderstood CBD. These seltzer style cans are 100% vegan and sustainable, contain Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin (perfect for winter), natural flavouring and also hemp extract, which is shown to help with stress and inflammation. Goodrays has four flavours right now, but our top two are the Blood Orange & Grapefruit with its juicy tartness and their Passionfruit & Pomelo with its tropical sweetness.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 30mg
Find here: Blood Orange & Grapefruit: £6 4x250ml
Find here: Passionfruit & Pomelo: £6 4x250ml

Gibson’s Goodology Tea

Gibson’s Goodology cans are luxury CBD Teas, tailormade to help revitalise, refresh and re-balance. There are no artificial flavours or sweeteners, just five ingredients: tea, fruit puree, agave, lemon juice and CBD. If you’re tired of sugary sodas, caffeine crashes and alcoholic cocktails, then this natural tea is the opposite. They have three very inviting options currently; a nutty shisho tea with a sweet blueberry finish, a punchy passionfruit with earthy green tea, and a floral jasmine tea with tart rhubarb. Also, if you are still drinking alcohol, we reckon these would be great as a gin mixer so why not give it a whirl?!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 25mg
Find here: £14.99 3x250ml

EDI Spirited Euphoria

The mysteriously named Endorphin Dealer Institute (EDI) has its own alcohol-free hemp spirit called, ‘Spirited Euphoria’, and it’s designed to trigger the enjoyment of alcohol without the downsides. It’s a dry, bittersweet, and subtly aromatic flavour and although it’s a non-specific spirit, it’s incredibly refreshing and enjoyable. There’s hemp, nootropics (cognitive enhancers) and adaptogens (stress reducers) all working together meaning that not only is there no hangover, but you also feel on top of your game. Sounds good to us! It’s perfect over ice with a little orange, or if you want a sweeter flavour pair it with some fruit juice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 420mg
Find here: £40.10

If you’re more of a white than red kind of person, then we’ve got a list of our favourite white wines for under £10 here! And with the sleigh bells of Christmas ringing louder each day, there are some more great value reds perfect for Christmas here too. 

Words by Calum Ecroyd

What You Should Be Drinking with Thai Food

Pairing drinks with Thai food is no easy task. With salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavours all working harmoniously, the cuisine’s complexity can result in confusion over what works well, and what clashes. So, without further ado, here is our essential guide to the best drinks to have with Thai food.

Beer

We’ve got some great wines for you below, but spice and wine don’t always get along, which is why beer steps up to the plate as the ultimate thirst quencher. Thai food isn’t as synonymous with hot spice as Indian, but most dishes still have a kick, and some stir fry dishes (Phad Kee Mao, Pad Kra Pao for example) are very spicy. The cooling bubbles instantly refresh, and the alcohol content is relatively low so you can gulp away comfortably. 

Citrusy, spicy beers go best with hot and sour Thai dishes.

Witbier

You might know witbier as wheat beer, or white beer. They’re typically cloudy with a fresh and frothy texture due to a lack of filtering and surprise surprise, high wheat level. The fragrant citrus taste provides a perfect counterbalance to any sourness and spice in your meal, and they also work wonderfully with the lemongrass flavour that crops up again and again in Thai dishes. Hoegaarden (4.9%) is a renowned Belgium witbier dating back 600 years, with a super refreshing soft and light feel that will go very nicely indeed.

Find here: £5 4x330ml 

IPA

If you prefer slightly medium spice Thai dishes that tend to be heavier, sweeter and aromatic then IPA could be the way to go. The citrusy aroma of most IPA’s pairs nicely with Green and Red Curry, and Rendang and Panang too. The right IPA will accentuate the lime and lemongrass often used in these curries, but be careful to pick out a sweeter, sharper ale, not a hop bomb. We’d aim for balanced coconut or fruity/citrus IPAs in particular. Cigar City’s Jai Alai (7.5%) has assertive bitterness that will counteract sweetness in the food, and the bold and citrussy flavour pairs nicely too. Alternatively, renowned Hamburg brewer Kehrwieder have their non-alcoholic üNN IPA range, and Coconut Grove (0.4%) would complement Thai flavours superbly. There’s also tropical fruit and lime and of course, no alcohol to fan the flames!

Find Cigar City’s Jai Alai here: £3.70 Jai Alai
Find Kehrwieder Coconut Grove here: £2.74 Coconut Grove / £27.71 Case of 12

Singha

Most beer from Thailand and the surrounding areas is German influenced lager, and the most popular bottle that you’ll find is Singha. It’s crisp and clean with a mild, light taste that’s perfect for hot Thai food. It’s a very easy drinking lager with strong malty flavour that pairs nicely with something like massaman curry. Also, whilst they tend to avoid alcohol with food in Thailand, it’s still satisfying to enjoy drink and food from the same nation. By the way, it’s pronounced without the a if you want to impress the waiter at the next Thai restaurant you visit!

Find here: £2.20 

Wine

Wine and curry can be a dangerous game in terms of successful combinations. The tannin and heavy alcohol in stronger wines can be a mismatch for spicy foods, but don’t write it off just yet. Off-dry, medium to low strength white wine is the way to go. 

Gewurztraminer

Gewürztraminer is a distinctly aromatic, dryer wine with full body and more often than not, floral and citrus aromas. You’ll often find ginger too which matches nicely with most Thai dishes, and the slight sweetness copes with any mild spice thrown at it. If you’ve ever tried Moscato wine, there’s some overlap. The more fragrant dishes such as the green and red curries, panang, beef satay, pad thai and tom Kha soup all pair well with Gewürztraminer. An off dry Riesling will work similarly well. Also, a much sweeter late harvest bottle mirrors Thai desserts pretty well too, because they can be intensely sweet. This one is Cave Vinicole de Hunawhir’s Cuvée Prestige (14%), an Alsace wine with notes of tropical fruit, apricot, lychee and a touch of ginger. 

Find here: £12.99 (£9.99 Mix Six offer)

Torrontes

Torrontes is an aromatic Argentinian wine that is a versatile dancing partner for Thai cuisine due to the sweet floral aromas, and peachy lemon zest notes. It’s sweet on the nose but dry in style and as long as the dish isn’t overly spicy with extremely intense flavours, it will work a treat. Think coconut curries, peanut dishes, and seafood options. This bottle from renowned winery Catena (13%) uses some of the highest grapes on the planet to create a crisp and zingy wine with particular sweetness that fades out for dryness in vintage Torrontes fashion. 

Find here: £7.50

Alsace Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris has a less fruity flavour than other options on this list, and instead a stronger acidic structure. The sweet muskiness that comes with it goes fantastically well with spicy Thai dishes, and especially so if it’s from Alsace because they often have some ginger and clove spice notes. There’s enough subtle spice here to complement the Thai spice, and acidity to cut through it too. It’s a balanced wine capable of dealing with both sweet and sour – ideal for Thai food. From the same winery as the Gewürztraminer is the Cuvée Prestige Pinos Gris (13.5%), a rich and full white with refreshing acidity and peach and pear notes. 

Find here: £12.99 (£9.99 Mix Six offer)

Spirits

Many might write off spirits with Thai food but with the right mixer and tonnes of ice, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy one with your food. We’ve gone for a gin because many of the botanicals complement ingredients used in Thai cooking. It’s also very easy to transform into the ultimate refresher.

Gin

Avoiding anything overwhelmingly strong, you can pick out the right gin for whatever dish you’re having. If you’ve gone for sweeter curries, a sour dry gin works well for example. Gin and ginger beer would be fantastic with warming spice and refreshing bubbles working hand-in-hand, or a premium original tonic will do the job. Lime Leaf Gin from Batch Spirits (42%) drew inspiration directly from Thai cuisine, using lime leaf, galangal, and jasmine botanicals. It’s vibrant, citrus-forward, and unsurprisingly, perfect for sipping alongside Thai food. You can even get Thai Basil for the perfect garnish! Word to the wise, be generous with your tonic because whilst 42% isn’t strong, you run the risk of clashing with spicier dishes if it isn’t diluted thoroughly. 

Find it here: £35.95

We know how hard it is to decide what takeaway you want (all be it a nice problem to have!), so if you’re fancying an Indian instead, we’ve got you covered there too! Check out our Best Drinks With Curry guide!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Drinks Advent Calendars for 2022

It's November and that means one thing… Christmas is a common feature on all the shelves with piles of baubles here and boxes of shimmering tinsel there. It also means that this year’s round of drinks advent calendars are being released! Woo-hoo!

The countdown to Christmas is on, and what better way to enjoy it than by opening a boozy treat each day? If you’re a bah humbug then it makes the countdown enjoyable, and if you’re already a Christmas convert then it makes it even better! They’re getting more and more creative every year with options a-plenty, and we’ve got something for everyone with our handy guide below!

For Fine Spirits drinkers:

The Whisky Exchange Spirits Advent Calendar

Welcome to the ultimate, luxurious treat for a lover of fine spirits. The Whisky Exchange have put together 24 minature bottles of whisky, rum, gin, amaro, calvados and more, all of which are exclusive bottlings, under-the-radar spirits or some of the biggest names in fine booze. Simply stunning and berautifully packaged.
Find here: £150

For Gin drinkers:

Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar

Most gin drinkers will already be on drinking terms with Fever-Tree and their cracking selection of tonics. This year, their masters of mixology have paired them up with some of the UK’s best-known gin brands like Tanqueray and Hendrick’s, as well as some new kids on the block. Perfect dance partners like Ginger Ale and Ophir’s spicy gin wait behind each door so have fun finding and tasting the pairings as the month rolls on!

Find here: £60

The Premium Edition Gin Advent Calendar

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml samples of gin from around the world hand picked by experts, there’s something for everyone behind each door! From classics to new releases, Tarquin’s Figgy Pudding Gin to Bluecoat’s American Dry, this is a yuletide medley you won’t want to miss!

Find here: £99.95

For Rum drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Rum Advent Calendar

There’s something tantalising behind every door for the rum drinkers too, with this Drinks by the Dram calendar. Dark rum, white rum, golden rum, whatever you’ve wished for it’s in here. Try unusual delights like award-winning Discarded Banana Peel Rum and enjoy old familiars such as Plantation’s XO.

Find here: £149.95

For Tequila drinkers:

The Spirit Co – Arriba Tequila Advent Calendar

You will begin a 24-day long journey to enlightenment with this, and how many advent calendars can you say that about? Although they’re 30ml sized bottles, The Spirit Co’s 24 tequila picks are designed for you to taste and discover the subtleties of this Mexican icon. From fresh Blanco, to complex Añejo, you will understand tequila on a whole new level by the time the big day comes.

Find here: £124.95

For Vodka drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Vodka Advent Calendar

Vodka is a spirit that can be found being dismissed by some as monotonous. Well, with a new year on the horizon, it’s time to change those misconceptions. These expertly curated tasters are a perfect opportunity to learn about how vodka can vary, and what you’re individually drawn to. Whether it’s drinking crisply smooth originals or subtle berry beauties, every day is a school day and school has never been so fun.

Find here: £99.95

For Whisky drinkers:

Whisky Explorers’ Edition Advent Calendar

Winter whisky warms the soul perfectly over the festive season, and as you prize open each cardboard door, a new whisky awaits. From traditional Irish whiskeys to a new whisky that is actually designed by artificial intelligence(!!), this advent calendar is perfect for someone wanting to dip their toe into the wonderful world of whisky.

Find here: £99.95

Whisky Premium Edition Advent Calendar

If you’re already a card-carrying whisky explorer or know someone that is then this calendar is for those ready to take the step up. Every door is filled with a wax-sealed 30ml dram of top tier whisky, carefully selected by world-famous producers. Aged to perfection, this is a great way of eying up your favourite premium whisky without buying a whole bottle. Pricey sure, but if you can’t treat yourself or others at Christmas time when can you?

Find here: £249.95

For Wine drinkers:

Brixton Wine Club Canned Wine Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is jam packed with Brixton Wine Club’s favourite canned wines from throughout the year, including limited editions and ones that have sold out so it’s a real treat. There are reds, whites, seltzers, bubbles and not only that, but we were happy to see so many up and coming British wines included too!

Find here: £125

Laithwaites Wine Advent Calendar

Every December day is made that bit better by a delicious quarter-bottle of wine waiting for you, isn’t it? All packaged up in a cosy Christmas market scene too, so it makes a wonderful festive addition to your home. We won’t spoil it for you but there also may or may not be a special treat on Christmas Eve too ;)

Find here: £69.99

For Cocktail drinkers:

NIO 12-day Advent Cocktail Box

This is the perfect advent for sharing because you can reveal cocktails two at a time over 12 days, so don’t worry you do still get your 24 drinks! And you even get a garnish too, so you can really indulge in the authentic cocktail experience. The calendar houses a very alluring cocktail hall of fame, with Negroni, Manhattan, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Daiquiri to name a few. There’s also sure to be some surprises for you too.

Find here: £115

For Beer drinkers:

Beavertown Craft Beer Advent Calendar

Don’t worry beer guzzlers, there’s something for you to countdown to Christmas as well. Craft beer extraordinaries Beavertown have created a delightfully vibrant advent calendar this year, and a limited-edition version that includes a load of cool gifts too. 6 mini boxes are included so they’re perfect to pop in the fridge, meaning that the only surprise is which beer you get, not that it’s warm!

Find here: £58 / £68 (Limited Edition)

For Cider drinkers:

Lilley’s 2022 Advent Calendar

There are even cider advent calendars these days, and we love the interesting concoctions of Lilley’s. Pear flavoured Bee Sting had picked up plenty of awards for the Somerset company, and the same can be said for their Rhubarb flavour. Also, if you like sweet ciders, then let us tell you that the Mango is a must try. There are 24 full size bottles so it’s good value too, and you can go look up each interesting flavour... or keep it as a Christmas surprise! Scrumptious.

Find here: £66

If you’re still stuck for gift ideas or just fancy looking at what else is out there, check out our other drinking gift ideas and be sure to let us know if you’ve got your eyes on any advent calendars we’ve missed out here.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

Beer Made Using Wasp Yeast Causes Buzz

‘Ensō’ is the latest creation from experimental Somerset brewer Wild Beer Co and although they have released cherry, chocolate, and caramel beers before, it’s fair to say that wasps are a larger leap into the unknown. In Japan, ensō represents the freedom of creativity, a name that makes perfect sense when you learn more about what went into this new ale.

When Wild Beer Co started planning their 10th Anniversary Box, they set out to include some more unusual concoctions, which is when wasps were brought up. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest developments in yeast science over the last few years (who hasn’t?!), then you’ll know that scientific research has highlighted just how important wasps are to the brewing process. They preserve the yeast picked up from summer fruits over the cold winter months and continue to preserve it for reintroduction in the spring. 

Lead brewer Russ Sykes said, “After much research and discussions with relevant people and entomologists, we managed to harvest a wild yeast from an abandoned wasp’s nest, which was found on the farm next to the brewery” – talk about sourcing local ingredients!

This entire process took over five years, but the end result is this 6% ABV ale made with fresh apricots to compliment the natural honey flavour from the wild yeast. If you like sweet and fresh notes in your beer, then you might be looking at wasps in a whole new light after trying this. 

For now, Ensō is only available to buy as part of the 10th Anniversary Box, but if drinkers love it as much as the brewers do, there’s a good chance it will become a standalone product in the near future.

Other eyebrow raisers in the box include a hay-harvested pilsner and a very chocolatey stout.

If you like the sound of these or want to find out what else is included in the £74.99 collection, take a look here.

Celebrate Pride with these Top LGBTQIA+ drinks

It’s Pride Month, and we’re celebrating all things LGBTQIA+ not only with a hefty dose of rainbow-themed décor, but by toasting to it in style with tipples that proudly support the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re a community member yourself, or a thirsty ally, here are some must-tries to show your spirit…

Gays Who Wine

This wine club, founded by Shaun Houcke, is all about giving people the chance to meet up and mingle with great vino – without having to resort to a raucous bar. You can also shop from a gorgeously curated online offering – including a weekly changing mixed case, with the likes of rosé fizzes and juicy reds (from £65). Beer drinker? An edit of top pours includes tempting nibbles such as artisan cheese, smoked almonds and sourdough crisp breads (£45). If you need an extra feel-good reason to buy, know that 10% of profits go to LGBTQIA+ charities.

Find out more here!

Luv Jus

Following one helluva time at Tel Aviv Pride in 2016, housemates George and Owen decided to launch Luv Jus – a healthy craft vodka pop that comes in two delicious flavours: pineapple, mint, ginseng and jasmine, or blood orange, pomegranate and ginseng. At just 107kcal per tin, with no added sugar, they’re as gentle on the waistline as they are dangerously sippable, plus have the added bonus of being vegan-friendly and gluten-free. We know what we’ll be drinking come London Pride Week this September… 

ABV: 4.8%
Find here: £14.95 for 6

Stonewall Spirits

A family run brand based in Skegness, Lincolnshire, Stonewall Spirits is committed to supporting and donating to the LGBTQ community all year round. Not only do they do this by re-telling the story of the ‘Stonewall Riots’ throughout their brand, but they also donate £1 to Stonewall UK from every bottle purchased to continue the fight for acceptance and equality in the UK. As if that wasn’t great enough news as it is, they also produce absolutely cracking gins. Mix their Pink Rhubarb gin into a G&T for a beautifully refreshing drink this Summer!

ABV: 40% // 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £36.95

Digby Fine English

It was during a trip to a Seattle winery that married couple Jason Humphries and Trevor Clough had a lightbulb moment and decided to move back to the UK and go into business together with the aim to bring English sparkling wine to the luxury market. Meet Digby Fine English; the high class sparkling English wine from West Sussex that is outperforming Champagne in blind tastings and winning countless awards. 

Find here: From £32

Proud Beer

The UK’s first ‘queer beer’ was launch back in 2018 by boyfriends Ethan Spidey and Sören Scharf and as well as a beer, is a platform for all that they do for LGBTQIA+ charities. They worked around their day jobs to create their ‘LGBTQIPA’: a truly inclusive drinks brand with a clear message to the businesses to put their money where their mouth is if they truly want to support the community. Ethan explains: “We got fed up with people slapping a rainbow flag on their brand once a year and pretending they cared. We thought, why don’t we start a beer company that benefits the charities we have worked with for years?” Quite right. Cheers!

Find here: From £2.30 a bottle

Gentleman Farmer 

Next time you’re in the US, look out for Gentleman Farmer wines, produced by vino extraordinaire couple Joe Wolosz and Jeff Durham. This Californian vintner duo specialises in producing powerful Cabernet Sauvignon – all dark fruity and earthy character – as well as elegant Chardonnays. Looking for something summer-fabulous to toast Pride month with? Grab a bottle of their delicate blushing pink rosé, with refreshing watermelon and brioche notes on the palate.

Find here: From $35

Crystal Head Limited Edition Pride Vodka

In case the whole bottle-shaped-like-a-skull thing wasn’t already theatrical enough for you, we present Crystal Head Pride edition. Painted in dramatic rainbow tones, this will double as a statement decor piece long after you’ve drained the final drop of vodka (which, by the way, is made using pure Canadian water). It doesn’t just look good though – a percentage of sales goes to the Kaleidoscope Trust, an international LGBTQIA+ human rights charity that works across the Commonwealth, for example by ensuring that trans women in Pakistan have access to safe housing. And if that standard 70cl bottle isn’t quite enough? Plump for the brand new 1.75-litre release, available at Selfridges for a cool £140.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: UK From £46.48 // US $39.99

Tom Savano Finnish Liberation Cosmopolitan

When you can’t be bothered to mix your own cocktail, Tom Savano comes to the rescue with its premixed pours. And this bottling – comes with a splash of Pride, not only because the Carrie Bradshaw’s drink of choice is said, according to Punch, to have originated in the Cleveland gay scene in the 1980s. It’s also mixed up with Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, named after the gay icon and fetish artist. The vodka’s own association spreads awareness about LGBTQIA+ erotic art, so you can feel extra virtuous with every sip. Chill it right down in the fridge, pour it out in Sex and the City-style cocktail glasses and toast to liberation. 

ABV: 20%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £29

Barefoot Wines

Barefoot takes great ‘pride’ in the fact that it’s been an LGBTQIA+ ally for more than 30 years, since 1988 to be exact. Over the decades this Californian wine brand has partnered with dozens of different LGBTQIA+ organisations and popped up at countless Pride festivals, so you know it’s genuinely supporting the community for the long haul. Choose from the range of easy-drinking wines, perfect for celebrations – whether your bag is a fruit-forward Merlot, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sweet Moscato, there’s something here to suit. Bottoms up!

Find out more here (UK)! // From $9.99 (US)

Could You Drink Pickle Beer?!

In recent years we’ve seen Aunt Bessie’s Jam Roly Poly beer, Warburton’s crumpet beer and even Seabrook Crisps’ Prawn Cocktail flavoured beer so naturally when this exciting bit of news popped up in our inboxes we had to share. Hold on to your hats folks because we are about to introduce you to the UK’s first ever… PICKLE beer!*

* No, this is not an April Fools!

Why Pickle Beer?!

On surveying 2000 people nationwide, Byron Burger, the company behind this brand new product, discovered that 51% of people agree pickles are a must in a burger. 1 in 2 people think that pickles add great flavour and texture to a dish and one third of 18-34 year olds think that pickles are a perfect hangover cure. So, taking all this onboard they have taken the plunge and given the pickle loving nation another pickle wonder to enjoy, pickle beer!

What Does It Taste Like?!

Byron pickle beer has a Saison base and combines a natural dry tart acidity with a subtle herbal fresh dill infusion leading to a crisp flavour with a tangy finish. The perfect pairing with your burgers whether they be meat, veggie or vegan… extra gherkins optional! You can find out what we thought of it in Ep 79 of our Bring a Bottle Podcast!

Find on Deliveroo: £4.99

Enjoyed this? Make sure you check out beer brewed from mushrooms and the perfect pint to pair with mayonnaise!

The best no and low alcohol drinks

‘Tis the season to let your hair down, which, let’s be honest, usually means indulging in a fair few drinks of the alcoholic variety! For those of you who are looking to moderate or who would just rather drink something non-boozy that actually tastes nice however, we have picked some of our favourite non alcoholic and low alcohol drinks that will still make you feel like you’re treating yourself to something special. Let us know your picks!

Sentia spirits

Sentia is a plant based alcohol-free spirit with a difference. Using special ingredients, it enhances GABA activity in your brain, leading to a feeling of relaxation and calm without the need of alcohol to get you there. It’s floral, bittersweet and has a spiced berry finish. Try mixing it into a non-alcoholic mulled wine – it tastes great! An acquired taste for some, think bitter berry and lavender with cinnamon spice and a hot, ginger kick

Size: 500ml
Price: £30
Find here: sentiaspirits.com

Savyll Non-alcoholic Cocktails

With so many non-alcoholic cocktails out there, it can be really daunting trying to pick your way through them which is why we were so excited when we came across Savyll cocktails. Every detail from the stunning packaging to the liquid inside has been carefully thought about leading to a great selection of vegan-friendly, gluten free, ready to serve cocktails. From an alcohol free G&T to an Old Cuban, there is a delicious cocktail for everyone. Not too sweet and they taste just like what they are supposed to be.

Size: 250ml
Price: 6x250ml cans £11.99 // 4 x 250ml bottles £13.99
Find here: Savyll.com

Wild Life Botanicals Sparkling Wine

One of Helena’s favourites, let us re-introduce you to Wild Life Botanicals - stunning ‘bubbles with benefits’ hailing from Cornwall. Infused with a mix of vitamins, minerals and botanicals, including Lemon Balm, Damask Rose and Rosemary, each 125ml glass contains 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals and it is only 0.5% alcohol, meaning you sit back and feel really good about what’s in your glass.

Size: 750ml
Price: £15
Find here: wildlifebotanicals.co.uk

Crossip Rich Berry

Ever fancied trying your hand at a non-alcoholic cocktail but not been sure what ingredients to use? Well, if a hot toddy or even some mulled wine sounds appealing then you can’t go wrong with Crossip Rich Berry. It’s full of delicate spice alongside rich notes damson, blackberry and sour cherry that are a delight on the tastebuds. This one has a lovely viscosity too which means you could sip it alone. Check out their website for more serving ideas as well as their range of other delicious non-alcoholic drinks.

Size: 500ml
Price: £22
Find here: crossipdrinks.com

Blurred Vines ‘Spark’ & ‘Sharp’ by Three Spirit

We’ve been big fans of Three Spirit for some time so we were really excited when they brought out their non-alcoholic, sparkling, cold brew drinks. Lucky for us, they didn’t disappoint! ‘Spark’ is a fizzy elegant, floral, yeasty number made from a base of sake with spice from cayenne and sancho pepper and ripe fruit flavours of gooseberry and strawberry. ‘Sharp’ as the name suggests, is more crisp, mineral and elegant with a citrissy finish.

Size: 750ml
Price: £32 as a duo
Find here: Threespiritdrinks.com

Hofmeister Ultra Low Lager

Hofmeister beers are back with a bang and they are blimmin’ brilliant. This ultra low (0.5% ABV) is perfect for times like these when quantity increases, but you don’t want the hangover. Made with mineral water, locally sourced barley and Hallertau Hops, it’s full-bodied, sweet, fresh, grassy and hoppy with  and bready notes a good crisp finish. Highly drinkable.

Size: 330ml
Price: £17.99 for 12
Find here: hofmeister.co.uk

Sassy Organic Cider  

Sassy seems to have cracked the market, making Cider cool again. Partly, this is because they have got their packing right but really, it’s because the products are so good. Refreshing and tangy, try the Cidre Rosé for punchy, red apple fun that’s only 3% ABV. Gorgeous.

Size: 750ml
Price: £32 for 6 bottles
Find here: MaisonSassy.com

Lyre’s Italian Spirit

Lyre’s have smashed it with this Italian ‘spritz’ that is the perfect non-alcoholic version of Aperol, only slightly more interesting. Can we say that?! Oops, we just did. Check out the rest of their range of non-alcoholic versions of classics such as Vermouths, Triple Sec, Coffee liqueurs, Gins, Amaretto and more. 

Size: 700ml
Price: £23.50
Find here: Lyres.co.uk

Want more guides? Here is our Luxury Whisky guide, our affordable red wine guide, affordable white wine guide, gin guide, rum guide and cheeseboard advice!

Biscoff Beer!

The Lotus Biscoff Biscuit, an iconic staple of every coffee shop trying to give you a bit more of a reason to spend £5 on a cappuccino. We all know it’s great for dunking in a hot (or probably lukewarm by the time you’ve successfully opened the tiny plastic wrapper) coffee, but after looking at the latest drinks news, it seems there are some people who have started dunking them in other liquids… It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that these people are microbreweries and the liquids are beer. It’s always beer. Every time.

This time around we’ve got UK microbreweries ‘The Driftwood Spars Brewery’ and ‘Fallen Acorn Brewing Co.’ collaborating to create their biscoff flavoured stout: Niflheim Imperial Biscoff Stout. For a beer made with a teeny tiny cute biscuit, it’s got a hell of a name. The beer is made with Lotus Biscoff spread along with over 2,000 of the small biscuits to create the 800 liters of 10% ABV stout being released. Just on a side note… Does that mean they had to unwrap two thousand tiny biscuits?! This beer won’t just be released in cans, as many experimental beers are, you’ll also be able to get this on draft in cask and keg!

Both breweries are super excited to be working with each other, with head brewer at The Driftwood Spars, Mike Mason, telling Brewing Journal he has ‘a great relationship with Fallen Acorn’ as they both brew ‘traditional and contemporary beers with a mindset for innovation and experimentation’. Two heads are most definitely better than one when it comes to ‘innovation and experimentation’, so we’re certainly happy they’re working together too! Psst - we heard they’re going to be collaborating on a New England IPA very soon, so keep an eye out!

This isn’t The Driftwood Spars’ first foray into the world of Biscoff beer, oh no, Driftwood experimented with a lower ABV Biscoff coffee caramel stout alongside The Dog pub in Burton on Trent. We’re assuming that experiment was successful, as the Niflheim Imperial Biscoff Stout is getting a lot of buzz at the moment…  

Lucky for us, Niflheim Imperial Biscoff Stout is out NOW! If you’re in the area, you can find this beer on tap at The Driftwood Spars’ brewpub in Trevaunance Cove. If not, it’s available to buy in a beautifully designed can on their website - so snap some up while it’s still there!

ABV: 10%
Find it here: £6.50 per can