Early launch for gothic brew after demand

Real ale maker Enville Brewery has launched its Gothic Ale a month early due to popular demand from pubs celebrating Halloween.

Around 10 barrels of the dark dinner ale, which went on sale on Monday, have already been pre-ordered by clamouring customers, including Stourbridge Rugby Club.

The club is hosting a beer festival this month and will be unveiling its own Stourton Park Ale, also brewed by Enville Brewery. The Stourton Park Ale Festival runs from October 24 to 26 and will also feature favourites from Kinver Brewery. Organisers have already put in a special order for nine gallons of Enville Brewery's Gothic Ale, named after the village's unique sandstone Gothic church.

The black beer, traditionally referred to as dinner ale and derived from pale ale, is created using a specially produced black malt and a selection of specialised sugars. The ingredients produce a stout-like beer with hints of honey.

And the club is not the only venue desperate to get its hands on the hard stuff.

Brewery managing director Lynn Garrington said they normally waited until November to launch the new brew.

But she said this year demand had gone through the roof and they were having to launch the ale early. "We've been asked by so many people to bring it forward this year. People want it for Halloween. We finished brewing it last week and it's just maturing nicely now. Normally we brew the Gothic Ale in November, ready for Christmas, but people want it early this time."

She said they would bring out Slayed especially for the festive period, which is made with spiced rum, in December.

The brewery has also produced the specialist guest ale for the Stourton Park Ale Festival which runs from 6pm to midnight on the Friday, from midday to midnight on Saturday and midday to 5pm on Sunday.