Wolds firms join forces to create Swell product

The teams at Wold Top Brewery and sister company Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery have launched Swell, a limited edition dark beer that has been matured for 11 months in casks that held spirit at Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky distillery.

Limited to 6,000 330ml bottles, Swell is available online at woldtopbrewery.co.uk and from independent local retailers including Sewell on the go convenience stores whilst stocks last.

Swell is the first in the Ebb and Flow series of barrel-aged beers from Wold Top Brewery. Future releases will explore different styles of beer, matured in different whisky cask types, all coming from the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery.

Wold Top’s Brewery Manager Alex Balchin said: “Swell has been brewed specifically for barrel-aging, the recipe developed to hold the flavours from the casks without being overwhelmed.

“It’s rich, fruity and full of flavour. With an ABV of 12%, it’s a beer to be savoured.”

“When in the cask, the beer picks up flavours from the spirit that’s been in there before, as well as some of the ‘woody’ flavours from the cask itself.

“In our case, we’re using ex maturing malt casks which had also held bourbon and sherry and wine, so this means the beer is picking up lots of the whisky and wood flavours, making it taste really different.

“By spending 11 months in the wooden casks – most barrel-aged beers spend at least six months in casks – a really rounded flavour is achieved.”

Visit woldtopbrewery.co.uk for more details.