Tennent's revives its stout heritage with a new pint from Wellpark in Glasgow

Tennent's may be Scotland's best known name in lager, but this autumn the Glasgow brewer has gone back to its roots. Tennent's Stout, a new draught stout brewed at the city's Wellpark Brewery, has arrived on bars across Scotland.

Stout is part of the brewery's story from the very beginning. Tennent's says stout was being brewed at Wellpark as far back as 1740, long before Tennent's Lager first appeared in 1885. Rich, robust stouts were exported around the globe, helping the company earn a reputation as the world's largest bottled beer exporter. Today Tennent's still brews Export Stout for overseas markets.

The new beer is brewed to 4% ABV and is described as having a rich roasted character with hints of chocolate, liquorice, treacle and coffee. A moderate bitterness and a smooth, creamy finish make it a sessionable pint, and it can be poured in one or two parts without affecting the taste or appearance.

Glasgow drinkers got the first taste. From 8 September the stout was poured at Òran Mór and at the Tennent's Visitor Centre, before rolling out to pubs across Scotland from the end of September. It is a pub-only pint, served in a new branded glass with the red T set inside bold STOUT lettering.

Hazel Alexander, senior brand manager for Tennent's Lager, said: "With such a rich heritage brewing stout it was only right that we created our own brew for people on home soil to enjoy. The launch of Tennent's Stout is not only a special moment for us, as we honour our brewing roots, but also for our customers who we know have huge collective pride in where they are from and what they choose to drink."

The timing reflects a wider appetite for darker beers. Tennent's points out that the stout category in Scotland grew 22.6% in volume over the last two years, and that stout sales tend to peak in the darker months, which makes autumn a natural moment for a new tap on the bar.

The launch is the latest in a run of new beers from Wellpark, following the limited edition Tennent's Tops and Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner, which has joined the permanent range. Tennent's Zero and Tennent's Light complete a growing family of choices.

One of the newest places to try it is 99 Hutcheson Street, the Merchant City bar and diner that has opened in the former BrewDog site. A reviewer there found the stout lighter than expected, smooth and creamy, with roasted malt, coffee and dark chocolate notes, and judged it a good pint.