McConnell's Irish Stout
McConnell's Irish Stout (4.6% abv) is an interesting beer, as it is brewed in Jarrow which is actually in North Yorkshire, UK and the beer has nothing Irish about it except for the name.The Jarrow brewery was formed in 2002 by real ale lovers Jess and Alison McConnell with the intent of creating unique and flavoursome ales. The brewery is tied to the Robin Hood Inn, at Primrose Hill in Jarrow and the beers are brewed on the premises. Brewing capacity has expanded to 100 Barrels per week with a second site at the Maltings. The brewery has enjoyed moderate success and has been awarded several accolades from CAMRA including a Silver Medal at the GBBF.
The Irish Stout was a bit of a let down. I was expecting a thick, dry and robust Irish stout, but what I received was thin almost tasteless except for mild liquorce notes which were extremely subtle. Again compared to Meantime Stout or even Guinness, this beer was overly average.
You can find more information on their website: www.jarrowbrewery.co.uk
Labels: Ale, Ealing Beer Festival, Jarrow, McConnell's, Stout
posted by Tim at
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
5 Comments:
Hi Tim,
Thanks for dropping by the Fatloss lab. I think, yes, we did communicate on the BFL forum.
I know a lot more about beer now. Who knew there was so much to it?
Hi Tim, I've had some lovely Jarrow beers in the past (esp Westoe IPA I think) shame you had one that didn't hit the spot.
About the "nothing Irish about it except for the name" - I'm not sure, but think one of the owners' Jess McConnell's family originally comes from Ireland.
I know it's not an excuse for someone "passing off" a beer as brewed in Ireland (not that I think that's what Jarrow have done, myself) but no-one complains about an Italian family calling their business an "Italian restaurant"(*) - maybe Jarrow's pumpclip/marketing should be clearer though?
I'm interested in this as I'm starting a brewery & might use my own Irish origin as a source for beery inspiration.
About your underwhelming reaction to the brew, do you think in part it's to do with comparing nitrokeg creaminess with the non-creamy pour of most cask stout at beerfests? (due to the lack of condition/fizz/head from gravity serving rather than handpull possibly with sparkler?)
(*) Oddly enough, if memory serves, The Robin Hood has an Italian restaurant on the side!
Cheers,
Mike McG
http://www.betwixtbeer.co.uk
(BTW - I think depending on which bit of historical boundary definition you believe in - Jarrow isn't in N.Yorks, but South Tyneside / Tyne and Wear.)
Hi Mike,
Maybe I was being a little rough, and I think the sample I encountered at a London beer fest was probably not in the best condition (after travelling across the country during one of the hottest weeks of the year). Also on the note of creaminess this could also be attributed to the beer being freely poured from the barrel rather than dispensed through a sparkler on the end of a draught pump as it would be up north.
if your going to criticise, be sure of all the facts as Jarrow is tyne & wear, northunbria - no where near Yorkshire!
Post a Comment
Comments welcome, however if you are a ticker, weird beard or anonymous spammer expect to have your comments edited or removed.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home