Wye Valley Brewery has completed a rebrand of its popular keg stout, in partnership with creative agency Wonderworks.
Based on Wye Valley’s original Dorothy Goodbody’s Wholesome Stout cask recipe, the beer was relaunched as Nightjar last month, at the brewery in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire. Some 250 publicans were invited to the event.
Established in 1985, by former Guinness brewer Peter Amor, Wye Valley Brewery boasts a wide range of beers, including Butty Bach, HPA, and 1985, which can be found in pubs across the West Midlands and South Wales. The brewery’s bold ambitions for Nightjar are for it to become the British stout brand of choice, rivalling other stouts that currently dominate the category.
The name Nightjar is a reference to the nocturnal bird that hawks for food and nests in the Wye Valley. As a kegged stout, Nightjar is chilled to 4°C and is nitrogenated. This makes it a very refreshing drink with a delectably creamy texture, says the brewer.
Wye Valley Brewery’s managing director, Vernon Amor, said: “When we first created a kegged version of our stout, we did so on a bit of a whim. But the results exceeded our expectations, and we are delighted with the positive response from our pub customers. And now, with great branding, Nightjar has been elevated to compete with market leaders.”
Simon Daws, owner of The Gloucester Old Spot, in Cheltenham, said: “Nightjar is such an outstanding pint that I’ve made it our permanent stout. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike, and gives us a point of difference on the bar.”
