Think you don't like beer? Think again
Forget pints of Fosters and cans of Carling (although if that's your tipple, cheers!) beer can be just as tasty and complex as any wine. Don't believe us? We teamed up with Let There Be Beer and beer sommelier, Steve Livens, to pick out five bottles that will change your mind. And trust us, they're all delicious.
Curious Brew Lager, 4.7%
Where it's made: Chapel Down winery in Kent
The taste: Produced with a Champagne yeast and a Nelson Sauvin hop (similar in taste to Sauvignon Blanc), there's a fruity dryness to it that makes it lighter and more refreshing than your average lager.
Try it if: Your usual order is a glass of white wine
Best food match: Salmon and shellfish
£1.79, 33cl, Waitrose
Golden Champion, 5%
Where it's made: Hall & Woodhouse brewery in Dorset
The taste: Being an ale, it has more body and a maltier flavour than a lager - but it's got a floral edge and hints of tangerine and elderflower that keep it crisp.
Try it if: You like English breakfast tea. Seriously, it has the same robust, malty flavour that ales have
Best food match: Picnic foods - scotch eggs, sausage rolls - or chargrilled chicken
£1.97, 500ml, Tesco
Bacchus Kriekenbier, 5.8%
Where it's made: Castle Brewer Van Honsebrouck, Belgium
The taste: Made with 15% Morello cherries, the smell alone is delicious. It's more than an alcoholic cherryade - the sourness gives it a grown up edge.
Try it if: You're a rose wine fan
Best food match: Duck or seared tuna will contrast with the sour-sweetness nicely
£3.89, 375ml,
Beers of Europe
Adnams Sole Bay Celebratory Beer, 10%
Where it's made: Adnams Sole Bay Brewery, Suffolk
The taste: Corked like a sparkling wine, it's gingery, salty taste is completely unique, created by mixing Pilsner malted barley, with Muscavado sugar and sprigs of lavender. Mind out, for a beer it's pretty strong at 10%
Try it if: You want some fizz but find Champagne too dry (or expensive)
Best food match: A cheese plate or just on it's own in Champagne flutes - it's will make a real talking point
£11.99, 750ml, Beers of Europe
Double Chocolate Stout, 5.2%
Where it's made: Wells & Young's brewery, Bedford
The taste: A creamy, rich stout with a definite taste of chocolate (there's real dark chocolate in it and chocolate malt.) The smokiness stops it from being sickly.
Try it if: Your love for dark chocolate can't be satisfied by Green & Blacks alone
Best food match: More chocolate! It will enhance the flavour or a slice of chocolate cake or torte perfectly
£1.97, 500ml, Tesco
