Report: Franciscan Well Jameson Whiskey Stout Launch

Friday 7th of December 2012 was decided as the official launch date of the Franciscan Well’s latest one-off seasonal special, which is a 7.8% abv stout aged in Jameson Whiskey Barrels.  The full release was planned for the 7th, but due to overwhelming demand the bottles were in off licenses a month earlier, with many sold out in no time.  It’s also interesting to note that the bottles of stout were not being sold in the Franciscan Well as external demand was so great.

The launch night in the Well was made all the more special by the fact that there would be a very rare cask version of the stout! I think there may be another one on at the Cask Festival at the Well in February, but I’m not sure if will be available anywhere else.

The launch night was also deemed to be a good opportunity for the recently formed Rebel  Brewers Homebrew Club and also the Lee Valley Homebrew Club to have their Christmas nights out, so it all tied together nicely.  On the night vouchers were given out 3 per person and that each voucher entitled the bearer to a 1/3 glass of the stout, although there were a few extra vouchers floating about. I tasted this stout before it went into the barrel, and it was an excellent stout at that time, being very smooth and quite different to the regular Shandon Stout. I also had it after it came out of the barrel, and it picked up a lovely hint of whiskey without being overpowering. However when served on cask it really came into its own! I’m not someone who really does tasting notes, and there really was no need for the Cask version, as it was totally unforgettable! It tasted fabulous with the Whiskey in the background, but with lovely notes of vanilla coming from the wood and a smooth chocolate character coming through from the original stout, although I am reliably informed there was no chocolate malt in the recipe. Everything balanced so well that the brewers at the Well are really to be commended, as they totally nailed this tricky style of beer. Once the cask of stout was polished off, we were then treated to a cask of the Franciscan Well’s Best Bitter. Not normally a style I rave about, but this one was a good bit hoppier than other offerings I have had, and was really very good. There were also a few homebrews floating about, so all in all it was a great night.

Thanks again to the Franciscan Well for their generosity, and for being so accommodating to us home brewers. A visiting Galway brewer commented how lucky we are, as they have struggled to find a similar venue in their area.

The Well are obviously going through interesting times, now that they have been bought by Coors, but I’ve been encouraged by the feedback that I have received, in relation to the fact that homebrewers will continue to be welcome to have brew days and tastings at the Franciscan Well, so business as usual in that regard!

-Taf