Lancashire pubs pouring new ‘Rudolph Red’ beer made with cranberries
Manchester’s Joseph Holt brewery has unveiled Rudolph Rosy Red, a limited-edition Christmas ale now pouring in selected Lancashire pubs.
Joseph Holt one of Manchester’s best-loved independent breweries is embracing the Christmas spirit with the launch of a limited-edition festive ale: Rudolph Rosy Red.
Brewed with cranberries and crystal rye the festive beer delivers a distinctive ruby glow and rounded seasonal flavour.
Now available across selected Lancashire pubs the beer promises to bring a splash of colour and character - to drinkers’ yuletide celebrations.
True to its name, Rudolph Rosy Red arrives in the glass with a striking ruby hue inspired by the glowing nose of Santa’s most famous reindeer.
The fruit not only gives the beer its festive tint but also lends a rounded, juicy note designed to elevate its seasonal profile.
Phil Parkinson, head brewer at Joseph Holt, said: “This is the first time we’ve used cranberries in our seasonal beer.
“They provide a wonderful colour, of course, but they also bring a bold, rounded, fruity flavour that perfectly complements the other seasonal ingredients, including lighter spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.”
The cranberries aren’t working alone. Another contributor to the ale’s rosy tone is crystal rye, a malt that produces a natural reddish pigment during brewing.
Combined, these ingredients give Rudolph Rosy Red both its distinctive look and a depth of flavour designed to stand out amid a crowded Christmas beer market.
Joseph Holt has been brewing in Manchester for 176 years and remains in family hands after six generations.
While many of its award-winning beers have barely changed in more than a century - including the much-loved Sixex, the brewery maintains a strong tradition of releasing a special seasonal ale each Christmas.
Parkinson hopes this year’s interpretation will strike a chord with festive pub-goers.
He said: “It’s a long-standing tradition for us to create a festive brew and this year,with the innovative use of cranberries and crystal rye, we hope Rudolph Rosy Red brings plenty of joy to Christmas celebrations.”