MANX beer has again won a major international award with the announcement that Okells Aile has been chosen for the second year in succession as Europe’s Best Flavoured Porter category in the World Beer Awards.
Okells Aile - which means ‘fire’ in Manx gaelic - is a smoked beer which the brewery says is “a proper porter”. Head brewer Mike Cowbourne says the award is “very rewarding.”
He said that the brewery was pleased that the quality of the beer had again been recognised by the industry for its smokiness without overpowering the complex malt flavours of the beer.
“This we finally achieved and the beer went on to win the World Beer Awards’ Best Smoked Beer category in 2007 and 2008.
“Aile, which the judges described as ‘very dark brown with a crimson tint’ and having a ‘long grainy finish with a fruity aftertaste’ is very much a niche product, perfect for autumn and winter, sold in bottles only except each January when it is offered on draught.”
Okells has recently won a silver and two bronze awards at the International Beer Challenge - and the new honour will encourage Dr Cowbourne and his team to create new products.
He added, “Okells has been brewing for more than 150 years and gained a reputation for excellence, innovation and complex specialist beers; with Aile we are continuing that tradition.”
