About This Beer
Lough Gill Woodhouse Marsala Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 75cl 12.8% is a barrel-aged Irish imperial stout from Lough Gill Brewery in Sligo. Featured in the brewery's October 2026 barrel-aged stout collection, Woodhouse showcases the influence of Marsala wine barrels on a powerful, malt-driven dark beer.
Imperial stout is a style traditionally associated with intense roasted malt flavours, substantial body and elevated alcohol strength. Barrel ageing introduces another dimension, allowing the beer to develop characteristics associated with the wood and its previous contents.
For Woodhouse, Lough Gill has selected Marsala barrels. Marsala is a fortified wine produced in Sicily, Italy, with a long history and a distinctive flavour profile. Depending on the wine style, Marsala can display notes of dried fruit, caramel, nuts and spice.
These characteristics make Marsala an interesting barrel choice for imperial stout. The wine's potential sweetness and complexity can complement the dark malt flavours of a strong stout, offering a different expression from beers matured in bourbon or Irish whiskey barrels.
At 12.8% ABV, Woodhouse belongs firmly among the stronger styles of Irish craft beer. Its 75cl bottle is well suited to sharing, making it an appealing choice for an evening spent comparing different barrel-aged beers.
The October 2026 collection includes several beers exploring different cask influences, and Woodhouse represents its Marsala wine barrel expression.
For anyone interested in how barrel selection influences beer, this release provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between a classic imperial stout and a fortified wine traditionally associated with southern Italy.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep brown to black, characteristic of a strong imperial stout.
Aroma: Roasted malt character with the potential for wine-influenced dried fruit and caramel notes from the Marsala barrels.
Taste: A malt-led imperial stout profile, with roasted grain and dark chocolate characteristics potentially complemented by the richness of Marsala barrel ageing.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and substantial, with warming strength consistent with its 12.8% ABV.
About the Brewery
Lough Gill Brewery is an independent Irish craft brewery based in Sligo, in the northwest of Ireland. Named after the nearby Lough Gill, the brewery has developed a reputation for producing a varied range of beers, including contemporary hop-forward styles, dark beers and ambitious barrel-aged releases.
The brewery's barrel-ageing programme is particularly interesting for drinkers who appreciate the complexity of strong beers. Rather than relying exclusively on conventional whiskey barrels, Lough Gill explores how different cask histories can influence the finished beer.
This approach is evident in its October 2026 barrel-aged stout collection, which features several distinct barrel types, including Irish whiskey, bourbon, Pedro Ximénez, Scotch whisky and Marsala.
Woodhouse stands out through its use of Marsala wine barrels. Unlike bourbon barrels, which are commonly associated with vanilla, oak and caramel characteristics, fortified wine barrels can offer a different range of influences depending on the wine previously held in the cask.
The brewery's location in Sligo also places it within Ireland's growing independent brewing community, where experimentation with traditional beer styles and unusual ingredients continues to expand the range available to consumers.
Discover more beers from independent Irish breweries in our Irish craft beer collection.
Food Pairings
Lough Gill Woodhouse Marsala Barrel Aged Imperial Stout is a natural candidate for pairing with rich, intensely flavoured foods.
Dark chocolate is an excellent starting point. A flourless chocolate cake, dark chocolate truffles or a rich chocolate tart can complement the roasted malt character commonly found in imperial stout.
Sticky toffee pudding is another appealing option. Its caramelised sweetness could work particularly well with the wine-derived complexity associated with Marsala barrel ageing.
For a savoury pairing, try slow-braised beef, beef cheeks or a rich mushroom dish. These foods have enough depth to stand alongside a beer of this strength.
Mature blue cheese also makes an interesting contrast. The saltiness and intensity of the cheese can provide balance against the richness of a strong dark beer.
Serve Woodhouse at approximately 12–14°C in a tulip glass or snifter. Allowing the beer to warm gradually can help reveal more of its aroma and character.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Lough Gill Woodhouse, explore our Stout & Porter collection for more dark beers, including imperial stouts and other rich, malt-forward styles.
For more releases from breweries around the country, browse our Irish craft beer selection.
You can also explore the full Craft Beer & Craft Cider range for traditional styles, limited editions and experimental releases from Ireland and around the world.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.