Beer #388 - Whistling Sisters / Dry Irish Stout


BREWERY // Russel & Elwyn Scott have been stalwarts of the Wellington hospitality industry since the 1980’s when they created The Backbencher pub (along with Wellington’s most fun political party). Whistling Sisters honours their daughter Karen Louisa with profits going to a foundation in her name to support research into advanced breast cancer. The Scott’s partner is Bede who had spent many years at Lion Nathan where he witnessed first hand the changing tastes moving away from bland, soulless macro beer toward more refined and flavoursome brews. Head brewer is Padmal, a qualified Master Brewer who has brewed in Sri Lanka, Germany, Japan, India & Australia. He is ably supported by Logan, an extremely hard working and enthusiastic young brewer who is overflowing with ideas. Their central Wellington brewpub is the best place to find their frequent new releases.

BEER // For a huge proportion of the world, dark beer means only one thing, Dry Irish Stout. This is unmistakably down to a single beer, so ubiquitous that at beer festivals everywhere, brewers and bartenders cringe as people look quizically at any dark beer and ask "So is it like a bit like a Guinness then?" Harking back to Dublin's famous Guinness brewery at St. James Gate this iconic style is defined by it's use of roasted barley. This signature ingredient is so crucial to the character of the style that Guinness roast their own barley on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure consistent quality and availability. This dark malt gives the beer not only it's deep black colour and ruby highlights also but delivers the signature dry roastiness that historically separated this style from its English cousins. Whistling Sisters interpretation of the style has a rich and complex malt character with layers of dark chocolate, fresh espresso coffee and a dry, earthy finish from the use of 100% Fuggles hops. 

BREWERY // Whistling Sisters
BEER // Dry Irish Stout
STYLE // Dry Irish Stout
ORIGIN // Wellington
ABV // 4.5%
TEMPERATURE // 10-12 degrees
FOOD MATCH // Colcannon, Irish Stew, Whiskey Cake
VESSEL // Nonic Pint