Independent Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has released three warming oak-aged brews in time for the festive season. These special editions, which are all made in Innis & Gunn’s signature style, are available now to US consumers, while stocks last.
Scottish Porter (330ml, 7.4%ABV): Re-released for 2013, this beer won Silver in the World Beer Championships 2012. Adapted from an historic Scottish beer recipe that mixes molasses for depth and richness, this is a deep red ale that carries rich maltiness with notes of orange oil, chocolate and bonfire smoke. Brown sugar, almonds and toffee on the palate with refreshing hop bitterness.
Malts: Innis & Gunn Ale Malt, Crystal Malt, Raw Wheat, Chocolate Malt
Hops: Super Styrian
Maturation: 39 days over Bourbon-infused Oak
Drink With: Roasted chestnuts; mature cheeses or rich fruit cake
Scottish Porter pricing from – cost and availability dependent on state:
Retail: $9.99 a four-pack (NYC and Tristate area)
Draft: $6 for a 12oz pour
Oloroso Cask (750ml, 7.4%) NEW LIMITED EDITION: A strong golden ale that is matured for 60 days in highly prized Oloroso sherry casks to create a distinctively rich and spicy flavor profile, with lots of nutty, caramel sweetness drawn from the wood.
A type of fortified wine exclusively produced in the Jerez region of Spain, ‘Oloroso’ sherry (or ‘scented’ in Spanish) is named such for its intense aromatic quality. For this reason, Oloroso casks are in seriously short supply and high demand, particularly in the whisky industry.
This is a beautifully redolent beer that smells of sticky figs, cloves and allspice, with grassy freshness from the hops. It complements food-wise flavors from the Mediterranean.
Malts: I&G ale malt, crystal malt, wheat
Hops: English fuggle hop
Maturation: 60 days; Oloroso sherry casks
Drink With: Soft goat’s cheese, beef carpaccio, olives or figs
Oloroso Cask pricing from – cost and availability dependent on state:
Retail: $7.99 a 750ml bottle (NYC and Tristate area)
Bourbon Stout (330ml, 7.4%ABV): New for 2013, this is a red stout brewed with I&G ale malt, rye crystal, roast barley and wheat and matured slowly over bourbon-infused oak. Deep ruby in colour, Bourbon Stout has aromas of roasted chestnuts, rich dried fruit and oaty biscuits. Whitbread Golding hops complement the sweet biscuity malt with a soft hop bitterness, giving way to a warming boozy fruit & nut chocolate kick laced with hints of mellow vanilla.
Bourbon Stout is available exclusively as part of Innis & Gunn’s annual Variety Pack: a boxed gift set containing three of Innis & Gunn’s famed oak-aged brews (Original, Rum Aged and Bourbon Stout), with a branded glass.
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About Innis & Gunn
Innis & Gunn was discovered by accident, and lucky for us that it was. The beer was conceived in 2002 – well not the beer that Innis & Gunn drinkers know and love, but the base beer. Dougal Sharp was asked by Grant’s Distillers to create a distinctive beer that would season whisky barrels for a Cask Ale Reserve whisky. The beer was developed and served its time in the barrel only to be thrown away as a by-product until canny distillery workers realized that it was a brew like no other and far too good to dispense with. Instead, they dispensed the beer into lemonade bottles for the occasional clandestine treat. Transformed by its time in oak, the beer assumed characteristics that were completely unknown in any other beer styles. Sweet toffee and vanilla notes complemented a backbone of mellow malt and fruity hop. This was a beer that was both complex and flavorful and the industry soon sat up to take note.
In 2003, Innis & Gunn (the middle names of CEO Dougal Sharp and his brother Neil) launched with this first and cornerstone beer, Original. Over time, Blonde and Rum Finish have joined the family and Limited Edition releases help Innis & Gunn continue to blaze a trail in oak maturation. Plaudits have abounded for both the beer and the company: Monde Selection medals, World Beer Awards and two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade have all signaled that, despite an accidental discovery, Innis & Gunn has a nose for beer and a head for business.
Innis & Gunn has built a loyal band of followers across the globe. Beyond the UK, where it is the fourth biggest specialty beer brand in the retail sector, Innis & Gunn is the best-selling British bottled beer in Canada and number one import ale brand in Sweden.
