The Malt Shovel Mad Brewers are at it again!, and the result - an imperial-style stout with a complex difference. “Noir” from the French language meaning Black is indicative of something both black and mysterious. And this mysterious complexity is what defines this special stout.

Brewed with pale chocolate, dark crystal barley malts and roasted black wheat malt, the wort is combined with Australian Super Pride hops and New Zealand Super Alpha hops. After boiling the high gravity wort for an extended period, powdered liquorice root is added to the kettle before pumping to the whirlpool.

Liquorice is the root of the plant Gycyrrhiza glabra, derived from the ancient Greek glukurrhiza, meaning ‘sweet root’. Used in various candies to impart a flavour similar to anise and fennel, it is being used increasingly in conventional and naturopathic medicine, for the treatment of viral infections and ulcers. In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to harmonize the ingredients and carry the formula to the regular meridians.

Liquorice added to the kettle of a superb black stout adds a rich complexity to the satisfying hoppy finish. The Mad Brewers settled on liquorice as the unique ingredient to create that mysterious flavour enhancement. As one tastes Noir Stout, the various malts drive the black roasted barley/wheat flavours, but it is the liquorice that smooths out the rich finish.

You will find this very limited brew on tap at the James Squire Brew Bars in Sydney (King St Wharf), Melbourne (Russell St & Docklands), Perth (Murray St) & Hobart (Salamanca Square) and at a few quality craft beer hotels nationally from week starting August 23rd 2010. Enjoy in moderation!

Food Matching Suggestions: the rich warming flavours will match up nicely with a range of foods including, strongly flavoured meat dishes (eg. smoked venison), and similarly smoked cheese, and for a dessert delight try the Noir with a rich dark chocolate pudding.