Four of St Austell brewery’s apprentices have joined together to create a special Christmas beer to round off a successful 2023.

Secret Santa was designed by Cavan Lewis, Joe Baker, Finn Price and Josh Bonner, who completed their brewing apprenticeships with HIT training at Nottingham University’s International Centre for Brewing Science in September. The brew is the last of three special-edition beers produced across this year.

St Austell brewing director Georgina Young said: “The apprentices were brimming with ideas for our special-edition Christmas beer, and coming together to create it has been a great way to celebrate their recent shared success of graduation.”

Josh wanted to use pine needles, Joe fruit, Finn Pheonix hops and Cavan rye. The ingredients produced a rich mahogany coloured 4.3 per cent ABV ale with red rye crystal and oats complementing the base malt to make a warming beer which has been bittered with British Bramling Cross hops which contribute hedgerow fruit flavours.

Phoenix and Brambling Cross hops, also British, gave the beer chocolate and spice, while plum fruit was added to bring some Christmas magic.

Secret Santa is now available across selected St Austell pubs.