Cornish stout hits on-trade

Sharp’s Brewery has begun the New Year with the release of its first stout, part of its “Seasonals” range. The limited-edition beer went on sale on New Year’s Day.

Sharp’s head brewer, Stuart Howe, said of the new Cornish Stout beer: “We’re venturing down a road less travelled for us, but feel that Cornish Stout is the perfect beer for a bit of comfort during this bitterly cold winter we’re experiencing.

“Winter beers are as much a state of mind as anything else and Cornish Stout is dark, full, bittersweet and at just the right strength (4.3% abv) to enjoy of a chilly winter’s eve. We think our customers will really like it.”

Available on draught in on-trade premises until 28 February, Cornish Stout uses slow fermentation, Apollo hops, roasted cereals and coffee beans sourced from the Eden Project, to give it very intense, bittersweet flavours.

The new stout, one of a number of new releases from the brewery, comes at a time when Sharp’s is seeking to push sales of its flagship brand Doom Bar, which saw huge leaps forward in its on-trade sales during the course of 2010.

Rupert Millar, 04.01.2011