On-trade

Changing Times Brewery launches new stout as Guinness prices rise

The new stout brings the total number of drinks offered by the Changing Times Brewery to three since their launch last November

Taking delivery by boat on the Liffey of the new Clockwork Velvet Stout were (left to right) Keith O’Brien, Bernadette O’Brien and Thomas O’Brien of The Ferryman pub from boat operator Thomas Murray, with members of the Changing Times Brewery team watching on (Photo: Naoise Culhane)

A new, Dublin made stout has been launched on the day increased prices from Guinness take effect. 

Clockwork Velvet Stout is the new product from Changing Times Brewery, based in Glasnevin and founded by the families behind some of Dublin’s best known pubs. 

The Changing Times team say they decided to create this drink after repeated requests from customers to bring out their own stout. 

They estimate Clockwork Velvet Stout will bring in approximately €500,000 in revenue for the brewery within the next three years. 

Clockwork Velvet Stout is described as offering a consistent, smooth and sessionable stout experience. 

It is brewed to provide a caramel sweetness, balanced bitterness and some notes of toast, chocolate, coffee, roast and earth hop aromas. 

It is made using extra pale ale, brown malt, double roast crystal, chocolate malt, roast barley, Goldings hops and Nottingham yeast. 

It’s alcohol by volume (ABV) is 4.2%. The stout will also be served in traditional, old school tankard glassware.

The new stout brings the total number of drinks offered by the Changing Times Brewery to three since their launch last November, with Clockwork Velvet Stout joining their Daydreamer Lager and After Hours Pale Ale products. 

The brewery is located along the banks of the Royal Canal in Glasnevin. 

It is backed by the publican families behind pubs such as The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, Doheny & Nesbitts,The Ferryman, Devitts, Darkey Kellys, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank and McSorleys. 

Other partners in Changing Times include publican Benny McCabe, drinks’ industry entrepreneur and founder of Drumshanbo Irish Gin, Patrick J. Rigney as well as brewer, Shane Long. 

Their new stout will now be available in their founding member pubs on the same day the increased prices announced by Diageo for Guinness take effect. 

Changing Times Brewery has already confirmed they will be freezing their prices for 2025.

Ronan Lynch, owner, The Swan, said: “The one question we have been consistently getting from customers since we launched our brewery was when would we be bringing out a stout. 

“Myself and many of the others were hearing that question several times a day like clockwork. It’s clear there’s a significant portion of stout drinking customers who are looking for a change and want to try something new.” 

Keith O’Brien, owner, The Ferryman, said: “We’ve all seen how the stout market has been evolving in recent years. Stout is a drink that is growing in popularity with a wide variety of customers – male and female, young and old, locals and tourists. 

“As this demand grows there has also been an increased interest from customers who want to move beyond the standard fare, who are looking for something new, something flavourful which is also smooth enough to offer a sessionable appeal. That’s what we’ve provided with Clockwork Velvet Stout.”


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