ubs and bars remain the P hub for out-of-home festive occasions with 74% of consumers visiting pubs and 70% saying they visit restaurants (CGA’s 2016 Christmas Report).
Stuart Fraser, Partner at The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, Loch Lomond, says spirits are always popular sellers at Christmas time. He adds, “Our customers love to visit over the festive period and sample our very own Balmaha Whisky or one of the Scottish gins that we serve. This, combined with a Christmas or New Year walk up nearby Conic Hill has become a holiday tradition for many.”
The average spend in a pub over the 2016 festive period was £43.89, £59.23 in a restaurant and £63.41 in a bar (CGA’s 2016 Christmas Report).
Competition for footfall is becoming more challenging – with 60% of consumers only visiting one outlet when they do go out (CGA’s 2016 Christmas Report).
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DRAM DECEMBER 2017
Wild Island Botanic Gin launches its second permanent expression, Sacred Tree, on December 6 – just in time for the festive period. The tipple is bottled at 43.4% ABV, which is the average Fahrenheit temperature in the Hebrides (6.33 Celsius) during autumn and winter. Sacred Tree uses fruits gathered on the Isle of Colonsay between October and April – including bramble, crab apples, redcurrants, rosehip, rowan berries and elderberries – infused as part of a total of 22 botanicals which help create a spicy, delicately sweet, juicy gin.
Ed Hughes, Beer Sommelier at Sharp’s Brewery, suggests serving Pilsner in a Champagne flute as a way of changing things up. He says, “In the run up to Christmas, a glass of Pilsner is a great alternative to Prosecco or Champagne. Sharp’s Pilsner is crisp and light tasting, and when served in a Champagne flute is wonderful for stimulating conversation and challenging perceptions of what beer can be.” He adds, “With the colder weather upon us, people are also looking for beers with full flavours that evoke feelings of warmth and comfort.” Sharp’s recently launched Doom Bar Reserve, a limited-edition brew of their number one cask ale, Doom Bar. Ed says, “It has festive notes of dried fruit and a warming roasted bitterness, making it the perfect pint to enjoy with friends in the run up to Christmas.”