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Beer of the month for December 2010.

King Alfred the Great (Aelfred, 849 – 26 October 899) is one of the most significant people associated with Old Berkshire, and was born in Wantage. The town held the palace of the Saxon kings. Alfred was King of Wessex from 871 to 899 and is renowned for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings. He is credited with founding the English navy having developed a small fleet in 847, although his brother had commanded ships previously. He also restored the pursuit of learning lost during the Danish occupation.
There is little left of that time in Wantage itself and since Alfred’s day the town has played a minor part in history, other than during the Civil War. There is a fine museum which is well worth a visit for more information, and easy access to the ancient trackway known as the Ridgeway.
A rich, ruby red beer to toast this great man sitting in his old Saxon palace in Wantage in December. Rich malt flavours from Pale, wheat, crystal, chocolate and specialist malts hopped with three different hops for a full-bodied beer.