Harpoon Brewery and Island Creek Oysters brew a limited edition Oyster Stout

Boston, MA (January 19, 2010) – On Thursday, January 21st, Harpoon brewer Katie Tame will begin brewing the 30th installment of the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series, the brewery’s line of limited edition beers.

Joining Katie on the brewhouse platform will be Skip Bennett, owner of Island Creek Oysters, shucking hundreds of freshly harvested oysters straight from Duxbury Bay to add to the brew. The Harpoon Brewery and Island Creek Oysters have teamed up to create the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Island Creek Oyster Stout. This beer represents a celebration of New England as it incorporates local, quality oysters from Duxbury, MA paired with fresh, handcrafted beer brewed in Boston, MA.

The one-of-a-kind, limited-batch creation has a rich body and a smooth feel derived from a combination of roasted barley and chocolate rye malts. The roasted notes of the stout blend beautifully with the briny, mineral flavors of Island Creek Oysters, which were added to the brew moments after being harvested in Duxbury Bay. An addition of hops adds a hint of bitterness and aroma to balance the sweetness from the malt combination. This beer is best enjoyed in a pint glass with a plate full of Island Creek Oysters.

Brewed by Harpoon Brewer Katie Tame using Island Creek Oysters harvested by Founder, Skip Bennett, the idea of the Island Creek Oyster Stout was created organically after years of sharing freshly harvested oysters over locally brewed pints of beer together. Historically, oysters have had a long association with stouts. One theory suggests that the pairing originated centuries ago in an old English town with a plethora of great breweries and oysters.

“Everyone at Island Creek Oysters is honored to have this opportunity to partner with our friends at the Harpoon Brewery after years of working together and create something unique that we’re all so proud,” explained Skip Bennett. “To be able to continue to partner with a like-minded brand that sources local ingredients and has strong ties to the community is truly a pleasure.”

“It is exciting to work with the people at Island Creek who, like us, are enthusiastic and passionate about the freshness and quality of their product,” remarked Katie Tame. “This beer is not only a merging of two great New England offerings, it is also a merging of history. Stouts have long been paired with oysters, though seldom brewed with them. This is our contemporary twist on an age-old tradition. We hope beer and oyster lovers have as much fun drinking it as we had brewing it.”

The Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Island Creek Oyster Stout will be available in early February 2010 in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select retailers and restaurants throughout New England. This beer is best enjoyed in a pint glass with a plate full of Island Creek Oysters.

About Island Creek Oysters
Skip Bennett, owner and founder of Island Creek Oysters, planted his first oysters in 1992 after three years growing quahogs in Duxbury Bay. After years of trial and error, and some undeniably delicious oysters, Island Creek Oysters has grown into one of the largest and most reputable aquaculture businesses in the US, selling nearly five million oysters a year around the world. Intense care is given to every step of the process; from hatchery to harvesting. Because of Island Creek’s commitment to excellence, the National Shellfish Association named Island Creek Oysters the best oyster in America. For more information, or to purchase oysters for home delivery, please visit www.islandcreekoysters.com.