About This Beer
Wicklow Wolf X Glendalough Distillery The Deer Stone Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 44cl 12.5% is a rich, powerful Irish craft beer celebrating the shared heritage of two neighbouring Wicklow producers.
Created as part of Wicklow Wolf's Crossbreeds Series, The Deer Stone is an Imperial Stout aged in Wicklow-grown Irish oak casks previously used to mature Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
The result is a deep, warming stout combining rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee with smooth whiskey warmth, vanilla, toasted oak and hints of dark fruit and spice.
Explore more distinctive dark beers in our stout and porter collection.
At 12.5% ABV, The Deer Stone is a substantial Imperial Stout that brings together the traditions of brewing, whiskey maturation and Irish oak barrel ageing.
The collaboration is particularly significant because the barrels themselves have a direct connection to Wicklow.
Rather than using a conventional imported whiskey barrel, this beer has been aged in casks made from Wicklow-grown Irish oak.
These barrels previously held Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, creating a connection between the local landscape, the distillery and the brewery.
The Deer Stone is both an exploration of barrel-aged beer and a celebration of Wicklow's natural and cultural heritage.
Tasting Notes
Wicklow Wolf The Deer Stone delivers a complex combination of roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee and whiskey barrel character.
Appearance: Deep, dark Imperial Stout.
Aroma: Roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee and barrel-influenced character.
Flavour: Rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee.
Barrel Character: Smooth whiskey warmth, vanilla and toasted oak.
Additional Notes: Hints of dark fruit and spice.
Body: Rich and substantial.
Finish: Deep and warming.
ABV: 12.5%.
The beer's roasted malt character provides a rich foundation, with dark chocolate and coffee contributing depth.
The influence of the Irish oak whiskey barrels introduces another layer of complexity.
Smooth whiskey warmth combines with vanilla and toasted oak, complementing the darker malt flavours.
Hints of dark fruit and spice add further interest.
At 12.5% ABV, The Deer Stone is a powerful beer designed for slow enjoyment, allowing its different flavour characteristics to develop as the beer warms slightly in the glass.
About Wicklow Wolf Brewing Company
Wicklow Wolf Brewing Company is an independent Irish craft brewery based in County Wicklow.
Founded in 2014, the brewery has developed a reputation for producing distinctive craft beers while maintaining a strong connection to the natural environment.
Its range includes modern hop-forward beers, traditional styles and experimental releases exploring unusual ingredients and brewing techniques.
Wicklow Wolf places particular emphasis on sustainability and its relationship with the Wicklow landscape.
The brewery operates its own hop farm and supports biodiversity through environmental initiatives.
Its brewing philosophy centres on producing exceptional beer without compromise while brewing in a sustainable way.
The Deer Stone reflects this identity through its use of locally grown Irish oak and its celebration of Wicklow's natural history.
About Glendalough Distillery
Glendalough Distillery is an Irish distillery closely associated with the landscapes, heritage and traditions of County Wicklow.
The distillery produces Irish whiskey and other spirits, with a particular interest in how different types of wood influence maturation.
Glendalough has explored the use of Irish oak in whiskey ageing, highlighting the connection between the local landscape and the character of its spirits.
Irish oak can contribute distinctive woody, spicy and vanilla-like characteristics during maturation.
For The Deer Stone, Wicklow Wolf has used casks made from Wicklow-grown Irish oak that previously held Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
These barrels provide a direct link between the distillery's whiskey maturation programme and Wicklow Wolf's brewing.
The result is a beer that celebrates the craftsmanship of both producers.
The Crossbreeds Series
The Deer Stone forms part of Wicklow Wolf's Crossbreeds Series, a collection of collaborative brewing projects.
The series brings together Wicklow Wolf and other producers to explore new approaches to beer.
For The Deer Stone, the collaboration centres on the relationship between brewing, distilling and locally sourced oak.
Both Wicklow Wolf and Glendalough Distillery share a connection to County Wicklow and its natural landscape.
The brewery describes pride in their home and a love of their craft as values shared by the two producers.
This common approach provides the foundation for The Deer Stone.
By ageing an Imperial Stout in Glendalough whiskey casks made from Wicklow-grown oak, the collaboration combines local materials with the expertise of both brewing and distilling.
The result is a distinctive Irish craft beer with a particularly strong sense of place.
The Legend Behind The Deer Stone
The Deer Stone takes its name from a legend associated with St. Kevin and Glendalough.
According to the brewery, the name references a meeting between St. Kevin, a deer and a wolf.
St. Kevin is closely connected to the early monastic history of Glendalough, one of County Wicklow's most important historic sites.
The surrounding landscape has long been associated with forests, mountains and wildlife.
The story provides a fitting inspiration for a collaboration between Wicklow Wolf and Glendalough Distillery.
Both producers draw on the natural environment and heritage of Wicklow.
The brewery describes The Deer Stone as a celebration of the character of their shared home.
The beer also pays tribute to the ancient forests that once covered much of Ireland and the wildlife that roamed freely within them.
By connecting this story with locally grown Irish oak, The Deer Stone brings together folklore, landscape and craftsmanship.
What Is an Imperial Stout?
Imperial Stout is a strong, dark beer style known for its rich malt character, substantial body and relatively high alcohol content.
Traditional examples frequently showcase flavours associated with roasted grain, dark chocolate, coffee and caramel.
Modern interpretations often explore additional ingredients or barrel ageing to create further complexity.
The substantial malt character of an Imperial Stout provides a foundation capable of supporting intense flavours from wood maturation.
At 12.5% ABV, The Deer Stone is a powerful example of the style.
Its rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee character provides the foundation for the influence of Glendalough's whiskey barrels.
The addition of vanilla, toasted oak, dark fruit and spice creates a complex flavour profile.
What Makes Irish Oak Barrel Ageing Special?
Barrel ageing involves maturing beer in wooden casks, allowing it to interact with the wood and develop additional flavour characteristics.
The type of wood, its previous use and the maturation conditions can all influence the finished beer.
Oak is widely used in the maturation of whiskey, wine and other alcoholic drinks.
However, not all oak is the same.
Different oak species, growing conditions and barrel preparation techniques can influence the flavours extracted during ageing.
Irish oak is particularly interesting because of its connection to Ireland's natural landscape and whiskey-making heritage.
For The Deer Stone, the barrels were made using Wicklow-grown Irish oak.
They were subsequently used by Glendalough Distillery to mature Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
Wicklow Wolf then used these casks to age its Imperial Stout.
This creates a distinctive relationship between the wood, the whiskey and the beer.
The brewery identifies smooth whiskey warmth, vanilla and toasted oak as important characteristics of the finished stout.
The Influence of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a distinctive Irish whiskey style traditionally produced using a combination of malted and unmalted barley.
It is closely associated with Irish distilling heritage.
The style can display a broad range of flavours, depending on the distillation process and maturation.
Barrel maturation is particularly important in whiskey production, with wood contributing aromas, flavours and colour over time.
The Deer Stone uses barrels that previously held Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
As the Imperial Stout ages in these casks, it interacts with the wood and the character remaining from the whiskey.
The brewery describes the resulting beer as featuring smooth whiskey warmth alongside vanilla and toasted oak.
These flavours complement the rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee character of the Imperial Stout.
The result is a collaboration that combines two distinctive Irish drinks traditions.
Food Pairings
The Deer Stone offers a rich combination of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, toasted oak and whiskey warmth.
These flavours make it particularly suitable for pairing with strongly flavoured savoury dishes and indulgent desserts.
Dark Chocolate Brownies
Rich chocolate brownies complement the beer's dark chocolate and roasted malt character.
Coffee and Chocolate Cake
A coffee and chocolate cake echoes the beer's roasted coffee and chocolate flavours.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding offers a rich, caramelised contrast to the stout's dark malt and whiskey barrel character.
Mature Cheddar
A strong, mature Cheddar provides a savoury pairing that can stand up to the beer's substantial flavour profile.
Blue Cheese
The saltiness and intensity of blue cheese create an interesting contrast with the beer's richness and vanilla-like barrel notes.
Slow-Cooked Beef
Rich slow-cooked beef dishes, particularly those featuring mushrooms or roasted vegetables, complement the beer's deep, roasted character.
Serving Suggestions
Wicklow Wolf The Deer Stone is best enjoyed at a temperature that allows its complex flavours to develop.
A suggested serving temperature of approximately 10–13°C is a useful starting point for a strong, barrel-aged Imperial Stout.
Serve in a snifter, tulip or stemmed beer glass.
These glass styles help concentrate the aromas and encourage slower enjoyment.
Allow the beer to warm gradually as you drink.
This can help reveal additional layers of dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, toasted oak and spice.
At 12.5% ABV, The Deer Stone is a strong beer that is particularly suited to slow enjoyment or sharing.
Store in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight and excessive temperature changes.
Although some strong barrel-aged Imperial Stouts can develop with careful cellaring, the brewery has not specified an ideal ageing period for this release.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Wicklow Wolf The Deer Stone, there are several related craft beer styles worth exploring.
Barrel-aged Imperial Stouts offer similarly rich roasted malt character with additional complexity from wood maturation.
Whiskey barrel-aged stouts can feature vanilla, oak, caramel and warming spirit-like characteristics.
Traditional Imperial Stouts provide a more malt-focused experience, emphasising roasted grain, dark chocolate and coffee.
Pastry stouts explore dessert-inspired flavours, often featuring chocolate, vanilla and other sweet ingredients.
Strong barrel-aged Barleywines offer a different interpretation of wood maturation, typically focusing on caramel, dried fruit and rich malt flavours.
Browse our stout and porter collection for more dark beers.
You can also explore our wider craft beer collection for speciality releases and independent Irish brewing collaborations.
Wicklow Wolf X Glendalough Distillery The Deer Stone Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 44cl 12.5% is a distinctive collaboration celebrating the landscape, history and craftsmanship of County Wicklow.
Aged in Wicklow-grown Irish oak barrels previously used for Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, this powerful stout combines rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee with smooth whiskey warmth, vanilla, toasted oak and hints of dark fruit and spice.
Part of Wicklow Wolf's Crossbreeds Series, The Deer Stone offers a rich and complex drinking experience rooted in Irish brewing and distilling traditions.
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