Jameson pale ale hybrid really lifts the spirits

The drinks industry could refer to it as a type of cross-pollination in a bid to create products which will replace the traditional "chaser".

A collaboration between a small brewery and one of the world’s most renowned distilleries has led to the creation of a pale ale with a whiskey aroma — and also in the pipeline there’s a whiskey which will have a whiff of beer about it.

The Franciscan Well recently acquired a number of barrels used by Jameson Irish Whiskey and produced Jameson-Aged Pale Ale in them.

Shane Long, founder of the Franciscan Well Brewery, said they were excited about trying something new and their challenge was to create a pale ale with enough flavour to make a good match for food, but that would not overpower the whiskey.

“We’re really pleased with the result. Jameson is a local company from up the road in Midleton that has succeeded in a major way on the international stage and we’re very proud to have worked with them on this.”

The ale, which is 6% proof, has gone on sale in a number of Cork bars and the reviews are good.

Chris Weldon, bar manager at the Oliver Plunkett, said it was initially a great seller with tourists who were looking for traditional craft beers.

“It’s a unique ale. The locals are also looking for it now and I think it will prove a real winner,” Chris said.

Jameson’s master of whiskey science. Dave Quinn, said following a beer with a spirit (chaser) is an age-old tradition.

He revealed that his company had taken back the barrels to carry out its own experiment.

This time the roles are reversed, with whiskey being aged in barrels which will still contain the remnants of the pale ale.

“We have been putting whiskey back in them and sampling the barrels over the last few months. I think we’ve found a very good quality whiskey. Watch this space. It’s a collaboration which has worked both ways.”

New Guinness porters

Guinness is to release two new stouts onto the market called Dublin Porter and West Indies Porter.

The company says they were inspired by authentic recipes, whose origins lie in the historic brewers’ diaries from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

They will be available in selected pubs and retailers around the country from October 1.