Irish Product Review » Beer » Shandon Century Extra Stout

Shandon Century Extra Stout

October 15th, 2011 | Add a Comment

Shandon Century Extra Stout, which has been brewed to a 100-year-old recipe at the Franciscan Well in Cork, Ireland

Thursday the 13th of October 2011 was the launch night for Shandon Century Extra Stout at the Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland. Ireland is known for its stouts, the most famous being Guinness, Murphy’s and Beamish. On a smaller scale there are also brews such as the Black Rock Irish Stout from the Dungarvan Brewery, O’Haras Irish Stout, and the Oyster Stout from the Porterhouse. The Shandon Century Stout easily keeps pace with the other stouts in Ireland. It is reminiscent of traditional stouts but with a flavour which is also unique and engaging.

The Shandon Century Stout is a particularly strong stout at 7.5% but it is very easy to drink as well – perhaps too easy. It has a slightly caramelised flavour which isn’t too bitter, a good carbonation level and a mild yet substantial in taste.

“Shandon Century Extra Stout is the first in a series of limited edition bottling by the brewers at Franciscan Well Brewery, Cork. Our research into historical brewing records indicate that stouts brewed a century ago were brewed to a much higher concentration of flavour and character. In addition, two of the hop varieties used in the brewing of this special bottle conditioned Stout East Kent Goldings and Fuggles, have been continuously cultivated since the 1800s and further impart an ‘old world’ character” – Franciscan Well Brewery

At 4.50EUR a pint from the Franciscan Well it isn’t the cheapest stout available, but is definitely worth trying. The current draft is a limited edition run and a limited number (1,000) of 1L bottles for 9.90EUR are also available for sale from the Franciscan Well.

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