A touch of the dark side

Deep, dark and delicious - the Liberation Brewery has launched a new cask ale, with a "sinful" ingredient, to be enjoyed by Island beer drinkers this winter.

Liberation Noire has a good helping of locally produced chocolate added to give it a distinctive, smooth taste. The combination of oatmeal stout malt, chocolate malt, a new hop - Galena - and real chocolate creates a unique stout guaranteed to warm the bones in even the coldest of weather.

Liberation Group Chief Executive, Mark Crowther, says the business is always considering ways to expand its locally produced product range, which includes the award-winning Liberation Ale. This year for the first time Liberation Brewery has won export orders for its ales from major national pub chains, including JD Wetherspoon.

"We've had a fantastic two years since we took over the business in 2008", he said. "Our locally brewed ales have not only won critical acclaim and the admiration of many of our peers in the industry, and we have led the way in revitalizing the production of cask ales in the Channel Islands. Paul Hurley and his team have produced a range of beers that has been long-awaited by ale aficionados and those who just enjoy a good pint. Liberation Noire is another in a successful line of seasonal ales and we know our customers will appreciate it in the long winter months."

Here in Jersey, Liberation Noire makes best use of great local produce, in this case real chocolate from La Mare Vineyards. La Mare used 100% dark chocolate with glucose and sugar and a subtle hint of a very unique Jersey flavour - VSOP Jersey Apple Brandy. The chocolate sauce was then added to the Liberation Noire to give it its distinctive aroma and taste. La Mare Chocolatier Darren Stower says: "We have not used our chocolate for a beer before so we are very much looking forward to tasting the result. We are also happy to be working with another Genuine Jersey producer."

Liberation Brewery's chief brewer Paul Hurley says Noire is a refreshing winter ale (4.8 ABV). Seasonal ales are becoming increasingly popular in the British Isles as sales of cask beer continue to rise. They are brewed to be best enjoyed at the appropriate time of year as an ideal accompaniment to seasonal produce.

Liberation Brewery now produces four seasonal ales, all inspired by the Island's Norman French heritage: Ambrée, Rouge, Blonde and now Noire.