Hazelnut Brownie (Batemans)

Name: Hazelnut Brownie
Label: "Chocolate, fudge and hazelnut brownie in a glass!"
Brewery: Batemans
ABV: 6.3%

Tasting notes: "This beer is deliciously fudgy, rich and of course nutty!  It is brimming with richness whilst boasting the subtle flavours of cinnamon and belgian chocolate. Serve in a large wine glass for maximum aroma."  This ale tastes extraordinary. It really is like drinking choclatey fudgey beer. Amazing stuff!

Game: Tom Clancy's The Division Beta is here! And... er... it looks good. But when I'm shooting the identikit looters I just can't shake the feeling that I want to get back to Star Wars Battlefront. I like shooting identikit Stormtroopers you see. The RPG elements look quite good and it seems like there's going to be plenty of longevity and looting of the looters etc. Initial thoughts is it's Destiny but with lots of open car doors that need closing.

Wainwright Golden Ale (Thwaites)

Name: Wainwright Golden Ale
Label: "Exquisitely Lovely"
Brewery: Thwaites
ABV: 4.1%

Tasting notes: "Inspired by Alfred Wainwright, famous for his Lakeland Fells guide books. This refreshing, golden ale has been brewed with the same loving care that Alfred Wainwright put into creating his inspirational hand drawn walking guides. In keeping with a walk on the Fells, this beautifully balanced beer is a 'breath of fresh ale'."  Being able to breath in ale would be pretty cool. Might sting a bit though.

Game: So for the first time since 1993 there's not going to be a new annual Assassin's Creed game released. After I'd finished weeping profusely into my empty glass of ale, I drank the beer flavoured tears and realised it's probably for the best.  They can hopefully work on something even amazinger for 2017 and there's also the film on its way in late 2016.

Dirty Stop Out (Tiny Rebel)

Name: Dirty Stop Out
Label: "Smoked Oat Stout"
Brewery: Tiny Rebel
ABV: 5.0%

Tasting notes: "Dirty Stop Out is our smoked oat stout that has all the characteristics of a heavy night out. Complex, dark, with hints of smokiness and perfume aromas. A blend of 9 malts matched up with a firmly hopped back bone make this a very self assured stout."

Game: Movie tie-in games weren't always shit you know.  GamingAles isn't a massive fan of retro games to be honest, what with the blocky simplistic graphics, wonky controls and heinous music and sound effects. HOWEVER, there were some absolute gems. Batman The Movie and The Untouchables to name but two. They were great even without the nostalgia effect... so without looking at them through ass-tinted glasses.  I liked them so much I wrote an actual "article" or "piece" about them and how they were way better than some of the more recent shite that was released for Xbox 360. So, this months feature article is Nostalgia vs Movie Tie-Ins.  I give this article 2/10.

Dizzy's Dark Side (Robinsons)

Name: Dizzy's Dark Side
Label: "Dark oak coloured ale with a clean crisp aroma"
Brewery: Robinsons
ABV: 3.8%

Tasting notes: "A dark side. We all have one, isn't that what makes us exciting? Keeps us on our toes? This dominating dark oak coloured beer boasts a full bodied roast malt flavour with hints of chocolate, balanced by a clean crisp hop character. It's the darker, more seductive older sister of our best selling Dizzy Blonde. An alluring taste that draws you in and keeps you coming back for more... After all, who said that blondes have all the fun."

Game: There's going to be a new Lego game! Who'd have thought! To be fair though, I like a Lego game as much as the next person but with the announcement of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens I can't help but think why can't we have a proper Force Awakens game? A proper Jurassic Park game? A proper Lord of the Rings game? And not just any old shit either. I mean to the standard of the Batman Arkham series. Make it so, game makery people!

Urban IPA (Tiny Rebel)

Name: Urban IPA
Label: "Intercontinental Pale Ale"
Brewery: Tiny Rebel
ABV: 5.5%

Tasting notes: "A carefully crafted intercontinental blend of hops and malt helps us take traditional IPAs to the next level with Urban IPA. Bored with soulless IPAs? Then it's time to go URBAN."

Game: Just gone to pre-order XCOM 2 as it's out next week! Quick! Get on Amazon you fool! Hang on a minute *nervous laugh*, can't... seem... to see it for Xbox One. Maybe Amazon have gone a bit mad and aren't stocking it! Yes, that'll be it. Quick switch over to the Game site. Nope. Google time. What the fff.... it's not even out on consoles! Firaxis what the hell are you playing at? XCOM was awesome on Xbox 360! XCOM 2 next-gen gets a GamingAles first: 0/10. Now get your act together and get making it for consoles, don't make me leave this review as 0/10!

Icelandic Toasted Porter (Einstök Ölgerð)

Name: Icelandic Toasted Porte
Label: "Ale brewed with Icelandic roasted coffee"
Brewery: Einstök Ölgerð
ABV: 6.0%

Tasting notes: "With clear notes of toffee and dark chocolate, this Porter is roasty and rich, offering a medium body that is robust, yet smooth on the palate. Toasted and chocolate malts give it a sinister black color, but its easy-to-drink taste will have you believing that there's no more need to be afraid of the dark"

Game: Just put on FIFA 15 after months of playing PES 2016. Oh my... I remember this happened a few years ago too. FIFA is better than PES! Even an old FIFA is better than a new PES! It's official. It's fact. This is the definitive word on FIFA vs PES. Now don't ever bring the argument up again!! FIFA 15: 8/10, PES 2016: 6/10

Atlantic (Sharp's)

Name: Atlantic
Label: "Exceptional Pale Ale"
Brewery: Sharp's
ABV: 4.5%

Tasting notes: "Atlantic is a modern pale ale inspired by the Atlantic Ocean at Sharp's home on Cornwall's rugged North coast. It is brewed with precision to give complexity, subtlety and a cleanness of palate while showcasing the fresh citrus flavours of New World hops. Deep golden in colour, Atlantic has a vibrant fruity aroma redolent of lime zest to mango. The flavour is harmonious balance of barley sugar and grapefruit with a refreshingly crisp citrus linger."

Game: Is Rise of the Tomb Raider any good? It's a quality piece of software I'll have you know. Especially if you like murdering small to medium sized animals and baddy people. One interesting achievement has you chucking a chicken into the air which you then shoot with your bow and arrow. Well, not with the bow, that would be crazy. Just the arrow.  It's FINE, they're not real people or animals, 'tis but a game we's playing. There are also some weird options from the main menu with unlockable cards and stuff but I've ignored that for now cos confusing. 8/10

Hummingbird (Young's)

Name: Hummingbird
Label: "Delightfully aromatic refreshing golden beer with tropical notes"
Brewery: Young's
ABV: 4.2%

Tasting notes: "Hummingbird is an exciting addition to the Young's bottle range following its popularity as a seasonal cask ale. A golden ale with a refreshing tropical hint, Hummingbird brings something a little bit different which we are sure you'll love."

Game: If you like Transformers then you should definitely get Transformers Devastation. It's a quality brawler and totally faithful to the original cartoon! It's a game that transforms into a big bucket of nostalgia. But not the type of nostalgia where you think, 'Ahh... this was actually a bit shit.'  Instead, it's the type of nostalgia where you think, 'YEAH, THIS IS ACE!'. Then you go out and re-buy all the old toys and contemplate on where you went wrong in life because you still like stuff that you should have grown out of 35 years ago.  8/10

Happy New Year!

Blitzen (Black Sheep)

Name: Blitzen
Label: "A collaboration with Blitzen the Reindeer, this beer has Santa's official approval - Ruby Christmas Ale"
Brewery: Black Sheep
ABV: 4.0%

Tasting notes: "This cheeky festive number has been brewed using a blend of Cascade and Goldings hops and a hint of orange peel and muscovado sugar." This beer is great even though I've never heard of muscovado sugar. At first I read it as mucusvader sugar. Must have snot and Star Wars on the mind again.

Game: So while everyone is falling asleep watching shite telly after a gigantic food-fest, I'm sneaking out for a cheeky couple of rounds of Star Wars Battlefront and a go on new addition, Transformers Devastation. Merry Christmas!

Bitter (Banks's)

Name: Bitter
Label: "Award winning ales - Fide Et Fortitudine 1875"
Brewery: Bank's
ABV: 3.8%

Tasting notes: "Deep gold in colour, Bank's Bitter is the outstanding example of classic English ale. A bitter that resonates with tangy and refreshing flavours that only Fuggles and Goldings - the classic twin masterpieces of the English Hop Growers' art, can deliver."  Simple name, awesome flavour. And currently only a measly 90p from Asda!

Game: I'm out for the rest of the season with a hand injury! Played Star Wars: Battlefront pretty much nonstop during the double XP weekend and now my hand really hurts. Seriously. RSI I think it is (Really Stupid Idiot). Anyway it's only my left hand so it's not the end of the world... I can still lift a pint with my right hand.  Back to Assassin's Creed Syndicate for a bit while I convalesce.