Oak Aged Wenlock Stout
Ironbridge Brewery

7th Feb 2012 saw me in the breweries only pub: The Fighting Cocks in Oakengates. Dave the brewer recommended this to me (we know each other a bit). This brew was the first one to be put in oak barrels to age before sale: they came from Wadworth’s. It is going to be a regular feature I believe, look out for it if you can.

Almost jet black in colour with a full, deep creamy head of foam. The malts give the nose a roasted, slightly burnt smell with the hops not really getting a look in.

Taste wise it is again the malts that win the flavour stakes: this is a dry stout although it has a rich centre and is smooth enough to slip down nicely. I haven’t had the normal version but this was lovely, I suspect the oak will have mellowed the mouthfeel in the aging process but without knowledge of its original carnation i can’t tell. Most enjoyable: the pubs not bad either!