For many, including myself and Will, this was the final concert of the busy ‘D Major’ season. For us, the ‘Messiah’ season had begun with a performance at Snape Maltings in November. It was while performing in Snape that we had first noticed the (seasonal) presence of Adnams Old Ale, but with trumpet playing and driving responsibilities we resolved to find it in bottles or cans to enjoy later - sadly to no avail.

I’d been into Cambridge (on the morning of Friday 22nd December 2017) with my fiancée (Jo) earlier in the day. I wanted to buy Will a gift for having me to stay at his house in Walthamstow, between performances in Nottingham, Swansea and London over the extended weekend, last weekend. I was fortunate to find the Adnams pop-up Shop in Cambridge where they were selling miniature casks of Old Ale. This was a perfect opportunity - and I hope to compare tasting notes with Will over Christmas! Merry Christmas!