Why we replaced wine and champagne with beer over Christmas

Tesco reported that it sold more than 1.5 million bottles of beer last week.

10:20 26 December 2013

Amid growing popularity of ale in the last five years, supermarket chain Tesco has reported that it sold more than 1.5million bottles just last week. This number is the highest it has ever sold in a single week and is three times as high as the same week before Christmas in 2011.

The supermarket chain, which has increased its selection of ale to 350 brews, has so far sold a record 44million bottles this year. The success is attributed to beer experts who matched up ale to accompany favourite Christmas dinner table foods.

Tesco ale buyer Chiara Nesbitt said: "Ale is an ideal match with the Christmas feast due to its cosy, warming flavours which perfectly complement the roasted, savoury and spicy tastes on offer in the main course as well as with the fruit in the pudding and mince pies plus the cheese and biscuits later on.

"Brewers are increasingly producing new and exciting products with connoisseurship in ale rivalling that in wine."

Chiara adds: "With demand growing at its present rate we believe that it won't be too long before restaurants offer up ale lists with their food menus and cheese courses.

"There has never been a more exciting time to drink beer as the last few years have seen an explosion of small brewers producing exciting new beers, often made with locally available ingredients.