Samuel Smith's Yorkshire Stingo - 2011 release

This extremely limited release - fewer than 24,000 bottles - is available on Yorkshire Day, August 1.

Stingo, traditional strong ale originating in the north of England, is mentioned in literature before 1700. Samuel Smith's Stingo melds the fine history of this style with the signature elegance of the brewery. Brewed from British malt and multiple hop varieties, Stingo is fermented in open-topped stone "Yorkshire Squares," with the Samuel Smith ale yeast strain. It is then aged for over a year in oak barrels that previously held cask-conditioned ale, gaining complexity and depth from the wood. Bottle conditioning - bottling the beer with live yeast for carbonation - produces soft conditioning as well as a fruity aroma and finish; it also allows Stingo to age and develop in the bottle for many months.

Craig Hartinger - Merchant du Vin

craighatmdvbeer [dot] com

www.merchantduvin.com