by Lorraine Gibson.

Christmas cheer came early for residents of a trio of Dorset care homes when they visited Poole Hill Brewery to taste a beer they’d named in a competition.

Over the summer, residents at Avon Reach, Mudeford, Amberwood House, Ferndown and The Aldbury, Poole participated in a tasting session with beers from brewer Southbourne Ales.
It was part of a wider project by Colten Care that saw residents from all of their care homes take part with the aim to collectively choose a great-tasting tipple that would become the Colten Beer.
Three versions were sampled and scored for taste and appearance and residents, no doubt feeling ale and hearty, then suggested names for them.

Elaine Farrer of Colten Care said: “We had so many to choose from, we went with three: The Crafty Colten, Avon Reach; Frothy Pop from specialist dementia home The Aldbury and the ominously-named Residents’ Revenge, Amberwood House.”
The beer was brewed at Poole Hill Brewery in Bournemouth who hosted representatives from the three homes. Brewery owner Jennifer Tingay gave them a tour of and a final tasting of their newly-bottled beers, labelled with the winning names.
Jim Smith, resident of Amberwood House said: “ Jennifer’s a very good host and tasting our Residents’ Revenge was a highlight!”
Jennifer said: “It was lovely to host the Colten residents.”