Bombur's Lager announces new "Winter Ale"

--By Thralin Strongfoot--

As we fill our pipes while firmly placing our feet in front of a cozy yule-fest fire one thing seems missing... WINTER ALE!

Before we had to make choices between a pure dwarvish summer lager, a hobbity winter ale, or some of the home made deathtraps known as Winterberry ales. No more!

The brewers from Bombur's Beard Lager Brewery, the largest brewer in Thorin's Hall have come with a solution for our dilemma and have announced a dwarvish heavy winter ale known simply as "Bombur's Beard Lager Winter Ale".

The ale tastes like a heavy stout and porter in one, yet the brewers insist the traditional Bombur's Beard Lager recipe has been altered only very little.

Bromi Kegwatcher, Master Brewer of the company had this to say: "Though master Bombur now enjoys his well earned retirement from the every day business of brewing. We strive to keep the traditions of master Bombur very much alive. Ever since master Bombur dipped his beard in the travel keg while on the famous journey of Thorin and Company a unique ale was born, one we'll preserve with all efforts. Our new ale tastes of a winter-chilled malt, bursting with flavour... have a taste, it's the best thing you'll have tasted in years!"

As a journalist that must cover these things to the very heart of the truth, I was duty bound to investigate further... some eight pints of investigative journalism further I could report with all truth (and little memory) that it tasted wonderful.

When asked when the new Bombur's Beard Lager Winter Ale would hit the market master Kegwatcher said: "We had hoped for Yule, but sadly the Shire hobbits, who have the monopoly on Winter Ales have filed formal complaints and well... we may not be allowed to offer it at Runulf's or any other tavern for a while."

Master Kegwatcher went on to say that this had obviously soured the otherwise grand dwarven-hobbit relations.

Regardless we look forward to the first commercial sampling of Bombur's Beard Lager Winter Ale soon. Runulf -from Runulf's Tavern and Inn- stated the ale would be available whether hobbits liked it or not, at the "bargain price" of 6 silvers and 50 coppers.Rather steep if you ask this reporter, yet one can't be choosy when it comes to excellent ales that may not be on the market long (if at all).