Lough Flat Oysters In Unique Irish Stout
Foyster Stout has just been launched in Northern Ireland featuring unique Irish Flat Oysters harvested from Lough Foyle, which lies between county Derry and Donegal in the Republic of Ireland on the River Foyle.
The rich and creamy Irish stout (5% ABV) is a collaboration between Derry’s award winning Walled City Brewery, a Food NI member company, and Sippy Fest, the organisation behind the city’s biggest annual celebration of local craft beers, gins and other spirits as well as artisan food.
“Our aim in creating the new stout was to harness distinctive Lough Foyle Flat Oysters, a unique Derry product that’s beenexported to France for generations,” says Sippy Fest’s Connor Doherty. “It’s a phenomenal local product that’s prized there. James Huey, the founder of Walled City Brewery, was also aware of the popularity of oyster stout particularly in the US and saw an opportunity to develop an old style beer in Derry.
“Foyster Stout is something quite different because of its provenance of its ingredients especially the wild oystersgrown in Lough Foyle. We use the complete oyster to help clarify the stout, which is also packed with protein,” he adds.
“It’s also the first time that Sippy Fest has become involved directly in craft beer production. Walled City Brewery has a marvellous track record in the creation and brewing of excellent local beers that reflect Derry’s traditions and so it was great to be working with James Huey and his team on the new beer.”
Mr Doherty continues that the stout doesn’t taste of or have the aroma of oysters. “It’s a really creamy, decadent stout. it’s very subtle. We are the first to create a stout from a native Irish oyster,” he adds.
Walled City Brewery was formed in 2015 by Mr Huey and wife Louise and has since developed a portfolio of original beers. It also operates an award-winning restaurant and a successful homebrew academy, the first in Ireland.
The brewery has already developed a reputation for innovative beers, especially those reflecting the city’s rich traditions. Beers have been named after Derry’s colourful history. Boom harks back to the Siege in the 17th century and Stitch to the area’s history as a global manufacturer of shirts. He’s even created a unique beer based on a recipe from 1689 that he found in the city’s archives and special brews highlighting the hugely successful Derry Girls TV series.
