It came in the mail more than a week ago but I was under strict orders not to open Knut's parcel. And I kept my word.

Inside the package was smart small German key chain, a bottle of Nøgne Ø Julesnadder and a very natty "Ø God Yule 2007" t-shirt. Best of all (perhaps inordinately you may think) are a few CAMRA pamphlets and festival programs. Best of all I say because of how they illuminate another world from the scene around here. While it is true that I am indoctrinating all around me one dunkel weisse at a time, the idea of a consumer led advocacy group for good beer gets me verklempt every time: not the worthy brewer, not the good pub owner but the noble drinker, as the late Mr. Jackson thought of us.

Thank you, Knut, and also all those others who have sent small gifts in the mail this year. If anyone out there, wherever you are, wants to send me a small package of your local UK CAMRA branch or neighbourhood Czech Union of Friends of Beer quarterly mags or any other stuff like that, I would be eternally grateful. Email beerblog at g mail dot com for the address.