Black Country brewery teams up with smokehouse chain

Sadler's, based in Lye, has created Goose Creek, an American style IPA, for Hickory's, which has various smokehouse restaurants including one in Wall Heath.

Bosses at the restaurant on Kidderminster Road have been busy since the site burned down late in a devastating fire last August and have been working on new brews ready for the grand reopening next summer.

Ian King, sales director at Sadler's, said: "We're absolutely over the moon with this opportunity and we're excited about the continued great relationship we have with the business. We're very much looking forward to a successful 2017 where we'll be working closely with Hickory's."

The team have been mixing malts and playing with some unique flavours for the past few months in a quest to create a truly authentic beer for their guests that was able to match their food in both boldness and character.

Head of bar development and chief 'pint puller' at Hickory's Smokehouse, Sammy Sale, said: "We have had an amazing day with Ian and the team at Sadler's.

"It's a real honour to be able to tap into their incredible knowledge and use their amazing facilities and we are hoping their input really shines through in our next batch of Goose Creek."

Hickory's currently have restaurants in Chester, West Kirby, Rhos-on-Sea and Burton Green.

"The new restaurant and bar in Wall Heath is going to be bigger and better than ever," added Mr Sale. And after all the amazing support we have had we think our guests deserve their very own beer to toast the launch of their new Smokehouse.

"We still have a bit of testing to do and would love feedback, so keep an eye open for some special beer tasting pop-up's in the new year and watch this space."

Hickory's Smokehouse in Kidderminster Road was devastated by an accidental blaze sparked by a fault in a refrigeration unit. Chiefs said 'minor demolition works' for the worst affected areas are now under way at the popular restaurant, based at the site of the former Kingfisher Club.

The restaurant will be rebuilt, with work due to be completed by the middle of next year and a relaunch date of July.

A total of 15 fire crews were called to deal with the blaze with around 100 firefighters on the scene at its height.

Firefighters remained for more than 15 hours, while the A449 was closed in both directions as a result of the blaze.