Whitstable Bay Black Oyster Stout is the newest addition to the Whitstable Bay Collection from the Faversham Steam Brewery.
It is a keg stout brewed using a blend of four coloured malts which impart a rich flavour, balanced by Admiral hops, and finished with a creamy head.
The introduction of Oyster Stout follows the success of the collection – comprising Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager and Whitstable Bay Organic Ale – since it was launched last July.
All the beers are handcrafted using 100% natural ingredients, including chalk filtered mineral water from the brewery’s own artesian well.
The contemporary lens design for Whitstable Bay Black features a white oyster dredger silhouette on a black background, reflecting its namesake – the coastal town of Whitstable.
The name was chosen to complement the existing Whitstable Bay range, by adding a stout drawing upon the heritage of the town and its famed oysters.
When stouts first emerged in the 18th century, oysters were not the delicacy they are today, but a common snack served in pubs, and proved an excellent pairing.
Marketing manager Mark Miller said: “This beer reflects the historic association between oysters and stout.
“The Whitstable Bay range offers a great breadth of choice, and we decided that a stout would fit well within the portfolio.
“Our brewers have come up with a delicious full-flavoured stout, with a 4.2% ABV.
“It is available on draught only, and we recommend a cold dispense of 3.5⁰C.
“It uses a gas mix of 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2, as the high nitrogen content gives a smoother and creamier head.”
