Okell’s Brewery is delighted to announce the launch of a special edition traditional Smoked Porter beer to mark the start of the celebrations for Okell’s 175th anniversary which takes place this year.
The Smoked Porter brew is an updated version of a classic traditional ale that harks back to the early days of brewing when the dark malty beer was said to be highly popular among London porters. It was also clearly very popular in the Isle of Man as in 1864 there is a record of Okell’s founder, Dr William Okell, donating 100 gallons of porter to the General Hospital and Dispensary!
Adding a modern touch to the formula, Okell’s anniversary Smoked Porter is made from carefully selected premium malts and is aged on wood to imbue the beer with a smooth smoky profile that creates a unique taste experience.
Head Brewer Kevin Holmes explained, “The beer is a classic 5% Porter with rich malt character combined with a gentle hint of smoke derived from peated malt and the aging process on American oak wood chips. This results in a beer that is complex and satisfying with a distinct smokiness that lingers with each sip. I believe the beer is a fitting tribute to Okell’s legacy on the Isle of Man.”
Okell’s Brewery can trace its roots back to 1850 when the famous Dr William Okell, a former surgeon and apothecary from Lancashire, took over as brewing manager of the Castle Hill Brewery in Douglas.
A formidable brewer and an astute businessman, Dr Okell was a champion of quality beer from the very start. A strong proponent of the Manx Brewers’ Act – otherwise known as the Pure Beer Act – which regulated the ingredients that went into Manx beer, he also built his own Falcon Brewery to a patented steam design which ensured a cleaner tasting brew with, as he put it, “total absence of the burnt flavour and acrid bitter so often complained of by the public.”
Dr Okell’s tactical business moves and his dedication to adopting the best brewing techniques ensured his brewery survived the ups and downs of the Manx economy including the boom (and subsequent collapse) of the Victorian tourist trade from the north-west of England, higher duties, competition from the UK and the increasingly vocal temperance movement.
After the business was passed on to his son William Henry Okell and other family members, it also survived the notorious Dumbell’s bank crash of 1900 and the two World Wars before finally becoming part of the Heron & Brearley group of businesses in 1945. It has continued to trade under the Okell’s name and has won awards and worldwide acclaim for its ales which are still brewed to strict Manx purity laws.
Launching the Smoked Porter, Okell’s Managing Director Ollie Neale said, “A 175th anniversary is a significant milestone in the history of any business and it was clear that we had to tap into the long heritage of Okell’s to produce something that would celebrate this landmark occasion.
“The choice of a Smoked Porter is a nod back to the early days of commercial brewing whilst also showcasing the talents of our modern master brewer in using quality ingredients and sophisticated brewing techniques. We think Dr Okell would be proud to see that, to this day, we continue with his commitment both to purity and perfection in our brews.”
Okell’s Smoked Porter will be available bottled in a special anniversary gift box, in cans from Spar stores and by cask across Okell’s Inns and independent pubs across the island over the coming weeks.
The launch of the limited edition Smoked Porter is just one of a number of events planned for Okell’s 175th anniversary celebrations with more to be announced over the coming months.
