Budget Beer Advent Calendar – Days 5-8

A beer a day keeps the doctor away. I think that’s the saying. Beer advent calendars seem to be a thing now. In fact they seem to be all the rage.

I didn’t have £60-£70 to spare or a generous friend or relative. I decided to get creative and was inspired by a great find in a bargain bin at my local Spar.

The rules are these. Each day from 1-24 December I drink a different beer. It must be either: 1) Discounted in some way; or 2) A gift for something I have done to help someone.

I will try to assemble the cheapest, most varied, highest quality beer advent calendar known to man!

You can view previous days here: Days 1-4

Days 5-8: Supermarket favourites

The next section of my calendar starts in Scotland, taking in Southern Germany and London before arriving back in Scotland with an icon of the craft beer movement.

Friday 5th December

The Beer: Harviestoun Schiehallion, 4.8% ABV, 330ml.

How the brewer describes it: Like the famous mountain it takes its name from, our gutsy craft lager, Schiehallion (pronounced “She-hal-i-on”) brings intense reward for the sort who like to plant their flag at the very top.

The price: £1.43 (20% off, reduced from £1.79).

The source: Waitrose, Cobham.

Saturday 6th December

The Beer: Erdinger Weissbier, 5.3% ABV, 500ml.

How the brewer describes it: Erdinger Weissbier is not only the undisputed classic in the Erdinger product range, it is also quite simply the wheat beer par excellence. It is brewed using fine yeast according to a traditional recipe and, of course, in strict accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law. Even today, the beer is still bottle-fermented in the traditional way; it takes three to four weeks for Erdinger Weissbier ‘with fine yeast’ to mature.

The price: £1.57 (20% off, reduced from £1.99).

The source: Waitrose, Cobham.

Sunday 7th December

The Beer: Meantime London Stout, 4.5% ABV, 500 ml.

How the brewer describes it: Meantime London Stout is derived from the original Stout Porters of the early 19th century. Made without the roast barley used in their Irish descendents; dark malts and London water work closely together to give a beer of great complexity. Soft mocha coffee and vanilla notes on the nose hint at the lingering vanilla notes on the tongue. A velvet mouthfeel holds a rich and complex palate of caramel, molasses, and nut roast, which gives way to a gentle malt-bitter dryness.

The price: £1.57 (20% off, reduced from £1.99).

The source: Waitrose, Horsham.

Monday 8th December

The Beer: Brewdog Punk IPA, 5.6% ABV, 330ml.

How the brewer describes it: This 5.6% trans-atlantic fusion IPA is light golden in colour with tropical fruits and light caramel on the nose. The palate soon becomes assertive and resinous with the New Zealand hops balanced by the biscuit malt. The finish is aggressive and dry with the hops emerging over the warming alcohol.

This fresh, full flavour natural beer is our tribute to the classic IPAs of yester-year. The post modern twist is the addition of amazing fruity hops giving an explosion of tropical fruit flavours and a sharp bitter finish.

The price: £1.50 (in a 2 for £3 deal, usually £1.90)

The source: Sainsbury’s Local, Cobham.

Running total

Total spent: £8.79

Normal price: £17.21

Saving: £8.42

Over the next few days I have my work Christmas party – let’s see what value and interest can be extracted from that, and I’ll revisit the USA and Sheffield.