Wicklow Wolf and Glendalough Distillery Unveil Two Limited-Edition Beers
Inspired by Wicklow folklore and aged in rare Irish oak, Glendalough Distillery and Wicklow Wolf have teamed up to launch The Deer Stone, a 12.5% Imperial Stout aged in Wicklow oak casks that previously held Glendalough Distillery’s Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The new release joins the return of The Still Hand 2026, a 15.3% Barleywine aged in Glendalough Distillery’s ex-Oloroso whiskey barrels.
Following the success of their first collaboration, the two Wicklow neighbours have brought together their expertise in brewing and distilling to create two distinctive beers rooted in their shared home and love of craft.
The Deer Stone takes its name from a hollowed rock near St. Kevin’s Church in Glendalough. According to legend, a doe’s milk sustained St. Kevin’s foster child. When a wolf killed her fawn, Kevin commanded the wolf to take its place, while the doe continued leaving milk in the stone to nourish the child.
Aged in Wicklow oak casks, The Deer Stone combines rich roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee with whiskey warmth, vanilla, toasted oak and hints of dark fruit and spice. Glendalough Distillery is committed to using Irish oak in its Pot Still whiskey casks, with the oak for this collaboration sourced from Greenan Forest near Rathdrum. This brings a shared connection to the Wicklow landscape into the collaboration, from the forests where the oak grows to the casks used in the ageing process.
The Still Hand 2026 builds on the success of the original release, with Glendalough’s ex-Oloroso whiskey barrels adding depth to rich caramel, marmalade and dried fruit notes, alongside warming sherry sweetness and toasted oak. Its name draws on Glendalough Distillery’s stills and the legend of St. Kevin’s patient hand.
The collaboration also supports the future of native woodland, with one Irish oak tree to be planted for every 12 cans of The Deer Stone sold.
Ciarán ‘Rowdy’ Rooney, Head Distiller at Glendalough Distillery, said: “It’s brilliant to be working with our neighbours at Wicklow Wolf again, The Deer Stone legend is part of the story of Glendalough Distillery, so it felt right to build a beer around it. We take great care in sourcing our Wicklow oak and selecting the right trees for our whiskey casks, so pairing our Single Pot Still casks with Wicklow Wolf’s brewing skill is a great way to bring that story to life.”
Quincey Fennelly, Managing Director of Wicklow Wolf, said: “The Still Hand was one of our most talked-about releases last year, so we knew we wanted to brew it again. This year’s barleywine has really taken on even more of the Oloroso depth and barrel character that people liked, and The Deer Stone gives us a rich, decadent imperial stout to sit alongside it. Brewing beer and aging it in casks from our neighbours adds something you can’t get any other way - a true taste of Wicklow.”
THE DEER STONE & THE STILL HAND will be available in stores from Monday, 9th November. Retailing at €8 per can. Stockists include All good independent off licences, O’Briens, Molloys, Number 21, Fine Wine, and select Supervalu stores.
Slán go fóill.
