Islay Worts n Ales

Commercial Description:
An ale has been brewed from Islay single malt for the first time. Paul Hathaway from the Micro-brewery “Islay Ales” has produced a powerful and heady brew. By interrupting the whisky–making process at the stage of mashing, 600 litres of the pre-fermented liquor known as ‘wort’ was shipped to Islay Ales brewery. Using brewer’s yeast the ‘wort’, obtained from a maceration of Optic barley, was fermented to a knee-trembling 9% alcohol ale. Brewer Paul Hathaway added Challenger and Bramling Cross hops for extra flavour: “The distillery usually gets a 7% alcohol using different yeast strain – but I managed to get a thumping 9% alcohol.” “It’s a crossover drink: it has the delicious malty richness of Bruichladdich’s wort and the bitterness of hops. The debut for this ale was Sunday 28th May at the opening day of the Islay Whisky & Music Festival “Feis Ile” at Bruichladdich Distillery. 1,800 bottles (33cl) entitled “Worts n’Ale” were produced in total. “At 9% alcohol this is special beer is for savouring - and certainly not for session drinking. You can drink it now – but it will get even better with time. A year’s aging would be ideal.”