With an increasing demand in gluten free options in the craft beer market, breweries around the world are experimenting with new and exciting ways to make delicious beer, minus the gluten. As a result, I was absolutely delighted when 9 White Deer sent me their Stag Saor line to try.
Their range of five (!) new gluten free beers are Kölsch, Pale Ale, IPA, Red Ale, and Stout, the first of its kind in Ireland.
On to the tasting!
STAG SAOR STOUT
Gluten Free Stout, ABV: 4.2 %
Billed as a double chocolate and Madagascan vanilla, their stout poured a lovely dark brown color and the aroma was full of these fabulous chocolate notes and hints of vanilla.
The flavour follows the aroma with the chocolate melding with the roasted malt character and vanilla.
The use of cacao nibs in this brew, along with the vanilla, added a lovely complexity to the beer. A common theme from this line is its light body, and it is certainly present here.
STAG SAOR IPA
Gluten Free IPA, ABV: 5 %
The IPA had fantastic tropical fruit notes and a well-balanced bitterness.
The hops really shine here, with hints of floral, citrus and those tropical flavours and made for an amazing aroma and drinking experience.
STAG SAOR PALE ALE
Style; Gluten Free Pale Ale 4.5%ABV
The Pale Ale is similar to the IPA in terms of hop flavours, with orange and citrus notes, and a lovely bitterness that compliments the bready malt.
I really enjoyed its easy drinkability, owing to its 4.5% ABV and light body.
STAG SAOR RED ALE
Gluten Free Red Ale, ABV: 4.2 %
Toffee and caramel flavours meld with bitter hop notes to create their Irish Red.
This dry ale boasts hints of chocolate and, at 4.2% ABV, this is also a lovely sessionable brew.
STAG SAOR , KOLSCH STYLE
Gluten Free Kolsch Style Lager, ABV; 4.2%
The Kölsch is their original gluten free option.
Made with German noble hops and Irish and German malt, this beer is refreshing with a light body that is perfect for this style.
All and all it is wonderful to see some fantastic gluten free additions to the craft beer shelves in Ireland!
The full line of 9 White Deer is available at O’Briens for €3.50 per bottle.
A historian by trade, Christina founded the Ladies Craft Beer Society of Ireland to have some semblance of a life outside of her Ph.D. An academic at heart, she then went on to turn her love of craft beer into something a bit more formal and has become a BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) Beer Judge.
With this background, she is devoted to educating the consumer on the history of beer styles and brewing, as well as what makes up the perfect pint.
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