The Week in Pictures

Swedish cider brand Kopparberg has been getting commuters into the Christmas spirit this week with husky rides across London and samples of its Spiced Apple cider.

In celebration of Pol Roger and Glenfarclas’s sponsorship of the Varsity match, a precursor to the main event; the inaugural Glenfarclas Quaich Challenge Match was held at the Honorary Artillery Company in Moorgate on 11 December. The match pitted a select City of London XV against an Oxbridge Colleges XV, with the City of London emerging victorious, winning 30-12.

Sunday Brunch presenter and celebrity chef Simon Rimmer hosted a Man vs. Food competition at Robinsons brewery this week where contenders had just 30 minutes in which to consume a gargantuan 18oz burger served on brioche and topped with bacon, cheese, caramelised onions, chilli mayo, pickles and BBQ pulled pork served with a side order of fries and coleslaw and washed down with a chilli-laced pint of Robinsons real ale.

Of the 50 competitors that took part only seven men were left standing after polishing off the above beast.

The Tabasco Bloody Mary Challenge at Hawksmoor Spitalfields saw 13 of the country’s top mixologists fight it out in the the ‘Classic’ Bloody Mary and the ‘Alternative’ Bloody Mary rounds. Judged by restaurant critic Charles Campion (far left) mixologist Tony Conigliaro (second left) and Tristan O’Hara, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, (second right), Marco Piroli (centre) of the Lab Bar won the classic round, while George Collyer from “Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town won the alternative round with his blend of  Tequila, Mezcal, lemon juice and Tabasco finished with spray of Lagavulin 16 year old malt.

db’s Editor-in-Chief, Patrick Schmitt, picks out the winner of the Sichel 1883 quiz. A very lucky Simon Taylor and his team from Bin Ends @ The Bear in Stroud scooped an Imperial of Châteaux Palmer 1982.

Amid the Christmas madness, db’s Lucy Shaw found time to pay a visit to MASH (the Modern American Steak House) in Soho, to road test the bar’s new cocktail menu. Looked after by the affable Ondrej Pospichal (pictured), she even got to name one of his new creations – a blend of Mezcal, ginger, lime and mint with a dash of Mozart chocolate liqueur, now known as Down Mexico Way.

And while the Down Mexico Way was delicious, stealing the show was the 5 Dollar Milkshake made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Amaretto, Vanilla ice cream, popcorn and salted caramel served in an old school shake glass with a red-and-white straw that served as a dessert in its own right. Also worth a mention is the Benedict Arnaud, which blends Buffalo Trace with Benedictine, Lapsang Suchong tea, lemon juice, sugar and soda finished with a Bourbon biscuit.

This arresting set of angel wings made from whisky cask shavings is currently on display at the Glenfiddich Distillery. Created by distillery workers, they are a Christmas tribute to the Angels’ Share, the term given to the small amount of whisky lost each year to evaporation.

And finally… never failing to raise a smile, we last encountered Francis Flavin of Davies Wine Merchants dresses as a pumpkin at the Côtes du Rhône Halloween quiz. This time, he’s morphed into Santa’s little helper in a fetching green ensemble. We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas!