Will we have a White Christmas this year?

As we are now officially in the first of the ‘winter months’ the weather becomes increasingly talked about … in particular many wonder whether we will have a white Christmas this year…

 

For many of us snow is synonymous with Christmas.

Christmas cards, songs and movies all portray a white Christmas.

But, what makes a white Christmas?

For many people, a White Christmas means a complete covering of snow falling between midnight and midday on 25^th December
 

However, the definition used most widely – notably by those placing and taking bets, is for a single snowflake (perhaps among a mixed shower of rain and snow) to be observed falling on the 24 hours of 25 December at a specific location.

White Christmases were more frequent in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, even more so before the change of calendar in 1752 which effectively brought Christmas day back by 12 days. However, despite climate change, the natural variability of the weather will not stop cold, snowy winters happening this year or indeed in the future!

 When did we last have a white Christmas?

Surprisingly, the last white Christmas was as recent as Christmas 2010.

It was extremely unusual, as mot only was there snow on the ground at 83% of Met Office stations (the highest number ever recorded) but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of the stations.

As for this year, who knows?

And many of our customers will probably be more pre-occupied with whether to have ‘White’ or ‘Red’ this Christmas?!

TEA … the best drink of the day!

As our regular customers will tell you ….

“There’s nothing like a cup of tea that is made up of Barley, Hops, Water and Yeast!”

However, no matter how you make the pun on TEA (Traditional English Ale) it’s difficult to believe that this most acceptable local beer would ever make its way on to the breakfast table!

TEA is one of our regular resident beers, supplied by Farnham’s local Hogs Back Brewery based in Tongham.

 The brew has a 4.2% ABV and is a top selling award winning bitter.

When poured it has a pleasant looking deep caramel/ auburn colour and produces an initial bubbly white head which rapidly disappears to nothing…. And that’s not just as a result of the speed that you drink it!

In various on-line forums, TEA is always highly rated, here’s an extract form one that recently caught my attention …

“The nose offers up plenty of lightly roasted English pale and crystal malts with hints of caramel, vanilla and bread … and the hops have an earthy, leafy, herbal whiff to them. A very ‘basic’ bouquet: malt and hops without much else of note…”

Which is all well and good, but I think the Hogs back Brewery website summarises better with the following:

·         See: Copper, Amber

·         Smell: Berries, Orange Zest

·         Taste: Light Fruity and Sweet

TEA is without doubt a popular choice here at the Shepherd & Flock, not least because it is a refreshing hoppy and well balanced beer.

So, how would you describe TEA? Is it our best beer? Be good to hear from you ….

Shepherd & Flock – a great combination!

Winter is nearly upon us … but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing!

And just by looking round the pub it’s easy to see why the darker months can actually lift our spirits!

And many of these make truly great combinations …

Pubs and a roaring fire …

There are few things in life quite so good as coming into a pub on a cold winter’s afternoon or evening and spend some time in front of a roaring open fire.

The combination of a lazy lunch – with the crackle from the fire is just perfect as the winter rages on outside!

Shepherd & Flock!

What can I say?

I would never suggest that our customers are ‘sheep like’…. But you’re all most welcome to ‘flock’ together here at the great little pub situated on the great big roundabout.

Salt & Pepper

What would a dinner table be without its salt and pepper?

They’ve become almost mandatory in everyone’s kitchen and always available in pubs and restaurants.

Salt gained popularity back with the ancient Romans, but it was in France that salt met its inevitable spicy partner, pepper.

And, somehow … they’ve stayed together ever since.

Gin & Tonic

What makes gin and tonic the perfect drink all year round?

Maybe it’s the fact that good gin is organic, flavoured by botanicals (fruits spices, nuts and scents) used in the distillation process.

Or it might also have something to do with the fact that it’s very hard to get wrong!

Too much tonic? Tonic’s good. Too much gin. Never mind, gin’s good too.

Fish & Chips

Well they are certainly a popular choice on our menu!

Fish and chips have become established as a true British dish and enjoyed by both young and old.

Our own version is particularly yummy as our homemade batter is enhanced with cider!

There are of course hundreds more of great combinations …. So what’s your favourite?

Be good to hear from you …

Here’s a great money off deal for You!

Everyone loves a bargain – right?

And if that deal is local then so much the better – right?

Well that’s why we’ve teamed up with ‘Thebestoffarnham’ and put together a deal that’s sure to truly whet your appetite for more ….

Thebestoffarnham proudly claims to find the best offers from only the best businesses in Farnham and if you Click HERE you’ll find all you need to know about all the latest offers including our own Shepherd & Flock offer!

The offer is subject to the production of a downloadable voucher.

Just bring the voucher along and you will receive £10 off the bill when you order 2 main courses from our mouthwatering menu!

You can choose from a range of home- made pub favourites as well as the daily chef’s specials

You can also bring along some fiends as the deal extends up to a maximum of 6 guests

The only restrictions are that the offer is not valid on Sunday or in conjunction with any other offer.

I urge you to hurry though … the offer only runs until 30^th November 2012.

Oh yes one final point ... I guarantee that you and your guests will receive a warm welcome, just perfect for these chilly November days and nights!