Ilkley Brewery débuts chocolate Chipotle stout at Whitelock’s
Ilkley Brewery’s ‘The Mayan’ officially launched at Leeds’ Whitelock’s Ale House on Wednesday 6 February 2013
At Leeds’ oldest real ale house, Whitelock’s, Yorkshire’s multi-award winning Ilkley Brewery last night (Wednesday 6 February) launched The Mayan, the latest beer in its Origins range. Taking inspiration from an ancient Mayan recipe, this 5.3% chocolate Chipotle stout is velvety smooth and bittersweet with subtle smoky tones.
Created in collaboration with food and drink video blogger, Jo Pickard, also known as Lady Gadabout, The Mayan is made with Galena, Bramling Cross and Chinook hops and features a friendly kick of smoked Chipotle chillies and bittersweet chocolate.
The Mayan is the first beer of 2013 to launch in the Origins line which celebrates some of the world’s greatest ales. Linking up with leading beer luminaries like Melissa Cole and Pete Brown to create the beers, the Origins range explores traditional methods and innovative techniques to craft exciting new ales packed with flavour.
Toasting success
The Mayan launch was also a platform for brewery directors, Chris Ives and Richard Shelton, to talk about the brewery’s plans for 2013 and its milestones as it nears its four year anniversary.
Chris said: “When we started the brewery back in 2009, we never imagined our beers would win such prestigious SIBA and CAMRA accolades and it’s fantastic to have our distinct brews recognised and enjoyed the length and breadth of the UK. We believe passionately in staying true to our brewing heritage roots, which were embedded in Ilkley over a hundred years ago, but we also have a big and relentless appetite for pushing boundaries and creating beers that surprise and excite our customers.
“In 2013, Richard and I are looking forward to maintaining the growth of the brewery and our plans have already been heralded with the appointment of our first ever female brewer, Harriet, and two other full time members of staff. These appointments will hopefully enable the brewery to increase production by another 15% to 20% this year, building on the 33% growth of 2012.
“Other highlights for 2013 include our first export shipment leaving the country which will be USA-bound in the summer. It hasn’t been easy getting our beers recognised overseas, let alone securing orders, but we are delighted that the craft beer drinkers of America will soon be able to enjoy Ilkley Brewery beers. We hope this is just the start of increased export sales for the brewery. Other countries on our export radar include Sweden, Italy and Canada and we are currently working with distributors to cement these plans.
“In March, we will be unveiling our new and improved website which will bear exciting new branding and photography. This re-brand and the accompanying new website reflect the individual characters of each of our beers, both in terms of their flavours and the stories behind their names, for which they have become well known and loved. The new-look will be playful, distinctive and most importantly, a fitting tribute to our Victorian heritage and our passion for extraordinary beer.”
The brewery will also continue to build on the success of its Origins range and create more distinctive and deceptively different brews like Siberia and The Mayan. More information on the launch of new beers will follow.
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or read the brewery’s blog at: www.ilkleybreweryblog.blogspot.com. Follow Ilkley Brewery on Twitter @Ilkleybrewery and Facebook www.facebook.com/ilkley.brewery
