St Austell smuggles in new brew

Cornish brewer St Austell has launched a new vintage 6% abv ale.

The first bottles of Smugglers Ale were opened at Moor & More Beer, in Plymouth City Centre.

It is created from a unique blend of dark ale and oak aged barley wine and is racked into oak whisky casks where it is left to mature for a minimum of three months.

"Smugglers is a truly complex beer with hints of whisky, creamy vanilla, toffee and spice," said head brewer Roger Ryman, recently crowned Institute of Brewing and Distilling Brewer of the Year at the All Parliamentary Beer Group Dinner.

"Smugglers was an old favourite at St Austell and we are delighted to give it a modern twist by ageing it in Oak Whisky casks and we look forward to it being enjoyed by beer lovers across the South West."

Dave Moor, owner of Moor & More Beer, said: "The response to the ale was really positive. The oak whiskey casks produce a really distinctive flavoured ale and I'm confident it will be a really popular. It's a very worthy addition to the selection of bottled ales I sell."

Smugglers will be available at St Austell pubs and shops around the South West.