Beers I enjoyed in December 2025 And January 2026

Beers I enjoyed in December 2025

Ridge Brewing Challenger Pale Ale

I actually had more than just these listed ales but others were all beers I have drunk before and this list is for those supped for the first time.

X7

Anarchy – Rum & Raisin Porter 4.5% **** Surprisingly rich, decent keg porter, over chilled at the bar where I quaffed it and a little pricy for a session ale strength tipple. Keg Ale – The Adelphi - Ashton, Preston.

Farmhouse – Mardy Porter 5% ***** a fine traditional porter with a great Northern name, dry and moorish. Real Ale – Guild Ale House, City Centre - Preston.

Glasshouse – Winter Wilds 4.5% **** Decent golden ale, nothing exceptional but perfectly quaffable, Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Little Brewing Co - Norse Code 5% **** A hazy pale session ale, lively to pour, mildly citrussed and slightly fizzy but a decent ale. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

North Riding – Maple & Walnut Stout 5.5% ***** One of the best beers I’ve had all 2025, an absolute classic. Real Ale – Guild Ale House, City Centre - Preston.

North Riding – Pecan Pie Porter 4.5% ***** My last new ale of 2025 was one of the best and gives me a longing to try actual Pecan Pie. A sweet, session ale strength porter you could drink all night, and I happily did. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Salopian – One In A Taxi 4.5% *** Pretty average golden ale, hoppy and mild citrus taste. Oddly named. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Wine

Yealand's Wine bottle

I rarely drink wine. I do like it, mostly preferring white to red. I had one this month as I won the bottle in a raffle and drank it on Xmas Day.

Yealands Sauvignon Blanc White Wine New Zealand 12.5% ***** Lovely sweet white, with a crisp dry finish and herbal-floral bouquet. Bottled.

Beers I enjoyed in January 2026 X7

Big Trip – Embracing My Superhero Era. 3.7% 3.7% *** Hazy golden pale, lemony, sharp, crisp, citrus saturation, with a fun name, though I prefer to embrace my villainous side. Real Ale. Guild Ale House, City Centre – Preston.

Brew York – Tonkoko Milk Stout 4.3% ***** A fine smooth milk stout, wished I’d had time to have more of this one. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Brixton Brew Co – Reliance Pale Ale 4.2% *** Quite traditional, brewed with barley and trying its best to be a great quaff, and though drinkable, doesn’t stand out as much as it ought. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Pennine Brewing Co – Amber Necker 3.8% *** Reasonable but not likely to wow too many drinkers, a decent session ale thirst quencher. The Old Black Bull City Centre – Preston.

Ridge Brew Co – English Pale Ale Challenger 4.1% **** A better than average pale that I was happy to return to the bar for more of, Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Saltaire - Montezuma’s Triple Chocolate 4.8% **** Not as rich a chocolate/cocoa taste as the name promises, but a decent smooth stout nevertheless. Real Ale. Guild Ale House, City Centre – Preston.

Utopian – Stout 5% ***** Excellent ale I was happy to drink over multiple visits to the bar. Real Ale Vinyl Tap, Ashton, Preston.

Wiper & True – Milk Shake 5.3% ***** A creamy smooth stout, not particularly milk-shake tasting but gorgeous and sadly too strong for session ale consumption. Real Ale – Black Horse, City Centre – Preston.

Photos taken by me.

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Arthur Chappell