Lion Nathan’s Malt Shovel Brewery, best known for its James Squire range, is about to release its latest beer under the Mad Brewers label. The beer, described as an imperial-style stout, is made with liquorice and is named Noir Stout.

The brewery media release advises the beer takes its name from from the French word ‘noir’ meaning black and was chosen to indicate something both black and mysterious.

“And this mysterious complexity is what defines this special stout,” the release advises.

“Brewed with pale chocolate, dark crystal barley malts and roasted black wheat malt, the wort is combined with Australian Super Pride hops and New Zealand Super Alpha hops. After boiling the high gravity wort for an extended period, powdered liquorice root is added to the kettle before pumping to the whirlpool.

“Liquorice is the root of the plant Gycyrrhiza glabra, derived from the ancient Greek glukurrhiza, meaning ‘sweet root’. Used in various candies to impart a flavour similar to anise and fennel, it is being used increasingly in conventional and naturopathic medicine, for the treatment of viral infections and ulcers. In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to harmonize the ingredients and carry the formula to the regular meridians.

“Liquorice added to the kettle of a superb black stout adds a rich complexity to the satisfying hoppy finish. The Mad Brewers settled on liquorice as the unique ingredient to create that mysterious flavour enhancement. As one tastes Noir Stout, the various malts drive the black roasted barley/wheat flavours, but it is the liquorice that smooths out the rich finish.”

The imperial-style stout takes its name from beers originally brewed in England for export to the Baltic States and Russia and said to be popular with the Russian Imperial Court. Noir Stout weighs in at 7% ABV, putting it at the lowest end of the range for the style. Brewing above this level results in a very expensive beer as, while this style hardly lends itself to binge drinking, the Australian excise system penalises beers at higher alcohol strength. Beers of this strength see in excess of $17 per carton taken in excise.

This limited-edition brew will be only available on tap at the James Squire Brew Bars in Sydney (King St Wharf), Melbourne (Russell St & Docklands), Perth (Murray St) & Hobart (Salamanca Square) and at a few quality craft beer hotels nationally from week starting August 23rd 2010.

Food Matching Suggestions: the rich warming flavours will match up nicely with a range of foods including, strongly flavoured meat dishes (eg. smoked venison), and similarly smoked cheese, and for a dessert delight try the Noir with a rich dark chocolate pudding.

www.malt-shovel.com.au

Noir Stout availability (From 25 August):

ACT

National University, CanberraEdgars Inn, AinsliePhoenix, CanberraAll Bar Nun, O’Connor

NSW

James Squire Brewhouse, King Street WharfMarlborough Hotel, NewtownNorthern Star Hotel, HamiltonCarrington Hotel, KatoombaLocal Tap House, DarlinghurstSydney Uniniversity, Hermans BarArc@UNSW, RoundhouseSouths Leagues Club, MerewetherThe Beach Club, Collaroy

QLD

Norman Hotel, BurandaGrand Central Hotel, Ann St CityBelvedere Hotel, Woody PointFull Moon Hotel, ShorncliffeArchive Beer Boutique & Bistro, West EndSpotted Cow , Toowoomba

SA

Wheatsheaf , ThebartonThe Edinburgh, MitchamHoldfast Hotel, GlenelgThe Lion Hotel, North AdelaideThe Elephant, AdelaideThe Hwy, PlymptonColonist Tavern, NorwoodThe Wellington, North Adelaide

TAS

New Sydney Hotel, HobartSquires Bounty, HobartCock N Bull, LauncestonMolly Malones, Devonport

VIC

The Portland Hotel, MelbourneJames Squire Brewhouse and Restaurant, DocklandsYoung and Jacksons, MelbourneImperial on Bourke, MelbourneLocal taphouse, St KildaRifle brigade, BendigoCargo Lounge, TraralgonSteampacket, Williamstown

WA

The Malt Market, DunsboroughThe Norfolk, FremantleThe Grosvenor, East PerthThe Generous Squire, Perth