Australian brewer Little Creatures has launched a limited edition “seasonal beer”.
The Little Creatures brand, which is owned by Lion food and beverage has a history of producing short-run batches of beer. The new beer called ‘Return of the Dread’ will be the Company’s first ever seasonal release — a Domestic Extra Stout now available on tap and in-pack.
Little Creatures said the seasonal beer was developed by playing with the brand’s first Single Batch, The Dreadnought. The Company’s brewers developed the older recipe into a new beer.
The Return of the Dread brew is claimed to be made with six specialty roasted malts, coupled with a class pale malt and Fuggles hops. The resulting brew is “a dark, black, formidable yet smooth stout, balanced with a pronounced bitterness”.
“This is a much loved-style amongst Little Creatures and as each winter passed since the release of that original Single Batch, the brewers would indulge in some collective (somewhat tearful) reminiscing,” said Russell Gosling, Little Creatures Fremantle Head Brewer. “This year, we said enough is enough; it’s time for Return of the Dread,” he said.
Gosling also said the Return of the Dread brew features include “aromas of chocolate, vanilla and liquorice, with a sweet and slightly bitter taste”. He said the palate “is velvety with a medium-to-full body”.
Following the winter release of the Return of the Dread brew, seasonal beers look likely to become fixed into the brewing calendar, with a summer edition set for release later in 2015.
Return of the Dread is available for the next three months, from beer outlets and bottle shops around Australia.
