Photograph: Guy Harrop
Sharp’s Brewery is embracing autumn with a new limited-edition beer, Crosshaven — a collaboration with Irish craft brewery Franciscan Well and its brewing manager Christopher Cook.
Crosshaven Oatmeal Stout (4.2% ABV) is Sharp’s fifith limited edition beer of 2018, following cask lager Honza, a collaboration with Jan Špacek, brewer at the Czech Staropramen Brewery.
The jet-black brew is a smooth, velvety oatmeal stout that pairs well with hearty and autumnal dishes, such as stews, steak and ale pies, oysters and rich chocolate desserts. It has a distinctive smooth flavour and balanced sweetness.
The beer is a modern take on a traditional-style Cork dry stout and has been named after the picturesque village within the shelter of Cork Harbour where Franciscan Well brewery is based.
International recognition
Located at the point where the River Owenabue enters the sea at the mouth of the harbour, it offers stunning scenery, with sea, river and land backdrops, not dissimilar to those that its Celtic cousin Cornwall offers.
Franciscan Well is one of Ireland’s best respected craft breweries, having gained fame and international recognition for its popular beers, including successful collaborations with Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Sharp’s Brewery’s head brewer, Andrew Madden, said: “Together with Christopher and Franciscan Well, we have created a truly mouthwatering stout that we are very proud of. The oatmeal enhances the body of the beer and the roasted barley delivers wonderful depths of aroma and flavour.
“We are really excited about having this brew on the market until end of October, and to have such a great Irish-Cornish partnership that allows us to continue creating innovative new brews.”
Ed Hughes, beer sommelier at Sharp’s, added: “Crosshaven is the perfect brew as we come into autumn and get ready for richer, comforting beer and food partnerships. With the oyster season really kicking off right now, the timing is perfect as the stout is a classic combination with oysters and also pairs well with heavier autumnal dishes, such stews.”
