Heineken Ireland has launched a new tea infused Irish Stout called Island’s Edge.
Already established at producing some of Ireland’s well known stouts including Murphy’s and Beamish, Heineken Ireland said it has has applied its 160 years of brewing expertise, creativity and innovation to produce an unexpectedly refreshing stout.
Island’s Edge is aimed predominantly at consumers aged 28-35 years-old and will be available in the coming weeks as pubs and bars get ready for the re-opening of indoor service following the longest hospitality lockdown in Europe.
The product was developed in collaboration with consumers and customers over a period of two years with continuous testing and learning throughout the process to ensure the new product hit the right taste notes and brings something unexpectedly refreshing to Ireland’s iconic stout category, the brewer said.
This collaborative approach has resulted in a new brand and product that was built from scratch with consumers and feels progressive and relevant to their lives today, while also resonating with the next generation of stout drinkers, it added.
Tea Infused
The innovative brewing process was led by Heineken Ireland's Head Brewer, PJ Tierney, in its Leitrim Street brewery in Cork.
According to Tierney during the development process, a new hero ingredient that is brand new to stout was discovered – the addition of tea.
Tea reduces bitterness in a way that is unexpectedly refreshing, which is completely new in the stout category.
"When we started developing Island’s Edge we played with over 100 recipes and countless ingredients to see what we could add to stout to achieve a really refreshing taste," he explained.
"When we discovered that adding a touch of tea at just the right moment, softens the bitterness of stout making it smoother tasting, we knew we had landed on an unexpectedly refreshing pint of stout," Tierney said.
'Brimming With Refreshment'
With an ABV of 4%, Island’s Edge is a 'creamy, smooth stout, brimming with refreshment'.
An initial soft-launch will see Island’s Edge appearing in a selection of 300 Dublin pubs, followed by wider distribution later this year.
Paula Conlon, marketing manager for Stout and Ciders at Heineken Ireland, commented, “Given Heineken Ireland’s long and proud tradition of brewing stout, we are delighted to be bringing this exciting new addition to Ireland’s beer drinkers as we aim to rejuvenate the stout category."
"Island’s Edge offers a modern take on stout with a refreshing taste and a progressive attitude," she added.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more drinks stories click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
