Otago Flavours Partner for Heavenly Match
Dunedin’s Emerson’s Brewery will be heading to Beervana and the BrewNZ Beer Awards in Wellington taking with them a truly original brew that celebrates a fusion of Otago flavours. The new, limited edition, big velvety stout has been brewed with locally harvested Blueskin Bay clams and it’s being hailed as a heavenly match.
‘Emerson’s Southern Clam Stout’ was inspired by brewery owner Richard Emerson who enthused Roger Belton from Southern Clams about the concept. Both are excited about the extraordinary flavour chararcteristics of this special stout. Richard Emerson says, “Beer devotees have enjoyed oyster stout since the late 1930’s, I couldn’t see any reason why we couldn’t produce a brew equally as heavenly with our own local clams and we’ve done it. It’s incredibly satisfying to produce an original stout of this quality and fantastic to do it with local produce.”
Emerson says the Southern Clam Stout has a dark tawny brown head and subtle creamy roated aroma with a hint of vanilla and ocean briny characters. “ We’ve modelled it on the big export style stouts of yesteryear. We’ve combined chocolate and roasted barley malts to provide a beautiful dark edge. The briny notes become more prominent the more you sup.”
Emerson’s are committed to ensuring that locals will be the first to savour the stout before they showcase it at a Trade Luncheon in Wellington on 26 August. Following the official launch it is available on tap at The Inch Bar, Tonic, Starfish, Eureka, Albar and the brewery shop. Southern Clams are also offering the bars the opportunity to serve up clams with the stout.
Roger Belton is quick to hand praise to Emerson’s for their innovation and entrepreneurship. “What Richard has done is such a positive example of how Otago businesses can cut a national profile by embracing opportunities on their own doorstep”.
Roger is so delighted with the brew that he’s organised a christening at sea. “We are planning a ceremonial toast over the clam beds in the middle banks of the harbour. Next month Southern Clams will begin commercially harvesting from these beds so it will be a double celebration for us.”
Photo: Courtesy of The Otago Daily Times.
Emerson’s Southern Clam Stout is a very limited release brew and is available for a short time on tap at the Brewery Shop, and the following Dunedin bars: The Inch Bar, Tonic, Starfish, Eureka, Albar.