Inspired by a century’s old Scottish beer recipe, award-winning independent brewer, Innis & Gunn, is launching its first ever oak-matured Porter, made with treacle. Packaged in a decorative gift box, the Limited Edition Winter Treacle Porter (7.4% abv) will be available in Sainsbury’s and Booths Supermarkets from the end of October, RRP £2.50.
Dougal Sharp, CEO of Innis & Gunn, explained what drove him to revive this beer style:
“I was reading “A Scots Cellar” by Florence Marion McNeill, a celebrated book on the history and tradition of beer and spirits in Scotland, and came across a brewing recipe, over 100 years old. It incorporated treacle in the brewing process to add complexity and sweetness. I knew immediately that it would lend something special to a Porter style beer I had long wanted to produce as a seasonal release and it most certainly has. It’s definitely one of those beers you would fancy drinking by the fireplace on a dark winter’s night.”
Like all Innis & Gunn beers, the Limited Edition Winter Treacle Porter can be enjoyed on its own but also alongside assertively flavoured dishes including sticky pork ribs, soused herrings and good quality mature cheeses.
The Treacle Porter’s use of roasted wheat, crystal malt and treacle, coupled with Innis & Gunn’s signature long and slow maturation, hascreated a beer that is perfect for warming the soul over the winter.
Tasting notes:
Colour: Dark ruby red
Nose: Rich and complex. Molasses and fruit is balanced by deep malty notes and hints of chocolate
Palate: Starts light with oak and molasses to the fore. Develops to reveal a firm malt backbone, with notes of orange oil and oak and hints of roast malts, tobacco smoke and chocolate
Finish: The roast malts, molasses and hop bitterness fall into balance with occasional hints of vanilla
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Innis & Gunn was first established in 2003 as a joint venture with a leading drinks firm, who had approached Dougal Sharp, then head brewer at Caledonian, to create a beer that would lend the perfect finish to a Cask Ale Reserve whisky. The beer was too good to throw away so Innis & Gunn (the middle names of Dougal Sharp and his brother Neil) was formed. Dougal led an MBO in January 2008 and the business is now privately owned.
Since then Innis & Gunn has become Scotland’s leading independent beer company. Ranked number four in sales volume and value in the Specialty Beer category in the UK off-trade, Innis & Gunn has enjoyed average growth of 56% year on year since its formation. It is now the best-selling British Bottled Beer in Canada and the number two Imported Ale in Sweden.
Over the past seven years, Innis & Gunn has released more than ten specially created beers for its global markets, in addition to its core range of Innis & Gunn Original, Rum Finish and Blonde.
Now Innis & Gunn fans in Britain can pick up the core range plus Limited Edition releases made for international sale only, such as the US’ Innis & Gunn Independence Day 2012 and Spiced Rum Aged from Innis & Gunn’s online store at www.innisandgunn.com.
Emanuele Barrasso
R&R Teamwork
T: 0207 384 1333 | M: 07508 048401 | F: 0207 384 0335 | Twitter: Eman_Barrasso
R&R Teamwork, “The Cellar”,
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