Thornbridge Brewery has launched a new Imperial Stout that has been aged for eight months in Bourbon barrels.

The beer is the latest to emerge from the Derbyshire brewery’s barrel-ageing programme, which has already helped produce award-winning sour numbers Love Among the Ruins and Days of Creation.

The inspiration to produce this beer came from head brewer Rob Lovatt’s visit to the venerable Firestone Walker Invitational in the US last year, where he imbibed best-in-class Imperial Stouts.

According to Thornbridge, the brewing team made sure they started with the best blend of grist to create the body and mouthfeel, and developed the right combination of yeast strains.

Freshly emptied Jim Beam barrels were sourced from the US and carefully filled. The ageing process took about eight months and, after numerous tastings, the beer was packaged.

Lovatt explained: “Aromas of sweet bourbon, vanilla and oak from the ageing process combine with rich chocolate, roasted malts, and caramel from the base beer. Soft and silky, Necessary Evil has layers of complexity and flavour.

“For me, it’s a truly formidable beer that hits all the right buttons. The perfect body, mouthfeel, and enjoyment. We’re delighted with how the beer has developed and hope this is one people will be talking about for some time.”