County Cork is very much the culinary and artisan food capital of Ireland. Towns like Kinsale feature some of the best restaurants in Ireland; the dairy farms produce many excellent cheeses and even an Irish Mozzarella. The English Market has been a staple of Cork’s food scene for generations and is quiet unique in Ireland.

Naturally so many local producers and restaurants are going to want to have an area where they can sell and source this produce. This is where the English Market comes in to its own.  The English Market is in a Victorian era building in the heart of a Cork City. The English Market is thus named as it was the centre for buyers from England for produce from Cork County. The building itself is a historical feature and worth have a glance.

Well worth checking out is McCarthy’s butchers, they have an incredible selection and there is always a smile on his face. On the Pigs B

ack offer homemade sausages, that are cooked in front of you and it is a pleasant treat to get one, a selection of cheeses and homemade Irish Mustard, enjoy seated across the way in Bishop Lucy Park.

There is a very strong artisan food scene in the English Market. I recommend that you go to the Real Olive Company and try their Mozzarella, made just outside Mac room. Where Asian Buffalo graze the lush pastures of Cork. It can be hard to get as demand has completely outstripped supply.  It is this kind of outside the box thinking that makes Cork such a great food hub and a place apart.

In the English Market, there is one of Cork’s best places to have a lunch, overlooking the market on a Mezzanine floor is the Farmgate Café, serving foods from the market below. Whether that be fresh olives, Irish lamb or Cheeses. The best seats are the ones at the edge, where you can watch the hustle and the people coming and going down below. A study of the human condition, with your Seafood Chowder.

In an era of anodyne shopping in multiples, where we buy mass produced and low grade food, the English Market is Cork’s way of fighting back. You here people say “In Cork we do things different”, it’s a truism and a state of mind. Long may it continue.

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Irish Whiskey is rapidly growing in popularity across the world. What is also growing is the distilleries as a tourist attraction in their own right. There is something quiet impressive about seeing those vast brass vats, polished to perfection. Tasting Whiskey at the end of a tour, learning how it was made and where the flavours come from. If you enjoy Whiskey, then you’ll enjoy these Irish whiskey distillery tours.

Bushmills Distillery.

Bushmills Distillery Tour, Ireland

The oldest running Whiskey distillery in Ireland, it is also the oldest in the world. Located in the town of Bushmills in Amtrim. Founded in 1608, this is the home of Irish single malts such as Black Bush and Bushmills. There are records of  distilleries at the same location

going back to  the 13th C.  The 2 hour tour takes you through the manufacturing process in this working distillery from the sourcing of the water at St. Columb’s spring, through the malting, distillation and barreling. At the very end you get to taste the Whiskey. Bushmills Whiskey is noted for its smooth honey taste, where as Scotch with its peat malted grain has that distinct peaty taste. Bushmills Whiskey is rated as one of the finer Irish Whiskeys and has constantly scored highly in international competition. Back Bust Finest Blended has won Double Golds at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirit Championships in 2007 and 2010.

Jameson Distillery.

The Jameson Distillery is located in Dublin City centre on the site of the original Jameson Distillery which opened in 1780. It is not a functioning distillery but rather an old one that has been opened to the public. The tour takes in the creation of the distillery,  how it

Jameson Irish Whiskey

has grown to be the world’s most successful Irish Whiskey. Personally I feel the highlight of the tour is the tasting and comparison of whiskeys at the very end of the tour, an exploration of the Jameson range and how their Irish Whiskey differs to other worldwide whiskeys.

During the Summer months, Jameson Distillery also has Shindig evenings where there is food, drink and music. Irish dancing and traditional musicians entertain visitors while they sit down to dinner in the Distillery. Quiet an enjoyable experience.

The Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery tour is one of the most popular attractions in Dublin and it is easy to see why.

Midleton distillery. 

The Midleton distillery is the new home of Jameson whiskey. Located in Midleton, Co. Cork. It is readily accessible via rail and road form Cork city. The Middleton distillery was one of the first industrial scale whiskey manufacturers and it boasts the worlds largest still pot – an incredible 141k litres. From the Still house, to the cooperage and the cask house, to the original water wheel that still operates in the reception, from where it once powered the entire distillery, this is a truly unique experience.. This tour is a step back in time and a fascinating journey through the making of Irish Whiskey now and then.

Jameson Distillery Midleton

At the end of the tour there is a compare and contrast of the best Irish Whiskeys from Jameson’s casks and American and Scotch variants.

They also sell a special reserve Whiskey that is only available to tour participants. Theses bottles can be personalized and given as unique gifts It certainly is not something that you will not see every day.

The old distillery is located next door to the modern new distillery which produces some of Irelands most famous Whiskies.

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The Irish Pub is a ubiquitous symbol of community and warmth, whatever country said pub may be in, and no matter who frequents it. Ireland is a nation famous for liking a drink or two, and that trait is reflected around the world in the large number of homely, friendly pubs serving up traditional British food and drink; a home from home for drink-lovers, ex-pats and culture vultures alike. Throw in a bit of impromptu Irish dancing and you truly have an evening to remember. Here are the best places in the world to find an Irish Pub. 

The Brazen Head- Dublin

It would be criminal to make a list of great Irish pubs without starting with an actual Irish pub. The Brazen Head is located in what is arguably the drinking capital of world and home of Guiness, Dublin. If that wasn’t enough culture and traditional for you, the Brazen Head actually claims to be oldest pub in the world, having been established in 1198. It goes without saying that the place is buzzing with Celtic charm and hospitality, even serving up some amazing food, including, of course a traditional Irish stew. I no this one contradicts the title but hey!

Paddy Reilly’s – New York

Being one of, if not the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, it is no surprise that the Big Apple houses some great Irish pubs, but Paddy Reilly’s is arguably the best. Why? This pub serves nothing but Guinness, meaning you can’t opt out of an authentic, clover leaf-topped pint! Music is a big part of Reilly’s (whose official name is actually Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar) and it has helped to launch the careers of bands such as the McCabes and the Mickey Finns. 

McGettigans Irish pub Dubai

That’s right, you can even find great Irish pubs in the middle of the dessert! McGettigan’s is, appropriately, one of the very few places you can drink in Dubai that isn’t a hotel bar or restaurant. Established in November 2010, the bar is a haven for British ex-pats, serving up traditional Irish grub as well as showcasing sport, comedy and other forms of entertainment. In true Irish style, McGettigan’s recently hosted a whole week of celebrations for St Patrick’s day!

Mrs Doyles – Spain

Being one of the most popular tourist destinations for Brits, it is no surprise that the island of Mallorca has its fair share of Irish pubs, Mrs Doyles however claims to be the only one run by a true Irish family. Catering for Brits looking for a good time, Mrs Doyles keeps a range of different drinks flowing as well as entertaining guests with live singer, Mick, and Karaoke sessions. The only downside? Doyles is closed throughout the winter months from November-February.

Durty Nelly’s – Australia

Sydney has a thriving Irish community so its no wonder they’ve made their mark on the pub scene in the city with the chain venue,

Durty Nelly’s. Featuring suitably turn-of-the-century decor and equally rustic food, it conjures up a feeling of the real Ireland inside Australia, despite being a chain. Perhaps most notably, Nelly’s features a wall of fame, showcasing the ‘100 pint club’, a great incentive to drink Guinness, as if you needed one!

Joe is a travel blogger who loves visiting Irish pubs wherever he goes. He’ll be on the look-out when he takes his next Cyprus holidays! You can follow Joe’s exploits at Top Travel Blogs

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Irish bars are famous worldwide for their fun and friendly atmosphere, they are a focal point for communities and friends coming together. Place of song and story, of music traditional and otherwise.

Irish bars also often have wonderful traditional style fronts, that give them an air of distinction. From the oldest bar in Ireland, from the 9th C., to the one decorated by Italian Master craftsmen who worked in the daytime building cathedrals, and at night a pub. All of these Irish bars have something special about them.

 Searcan’s, Inchigeelagh, Co.Cork

Searcan's bar - Inchigeelagh, Cork

Located a few miles outside Cork City, this wonderful old pub, is full of character inside and out. The chat inside can can vary from cattle prices to politics and nowadays Bond yields in Europe. It is however always one of the most welcoming bars I have been in and serves a cracking pint of Guinness and Murphys.

The Crown, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The Crown Bar, Belfast

Located in the heart of Ireland’s second and probably most vibrant city. The Crown Bar in Belfast is famous for its highly ornate decorations both inside and out. Italian Master crafts men in Belfast to build churches as Catholic emancipation gathered pace were hired as moonlighters to work on the bar. That other Irish place of worship. That the craftsmen were more used to working in cathedrals becomes obvious when one looks at the Snugs and stained glass in the bar. It is a place that one can spend an hour just walking around looking at the decor.

O’Donnabhain’s, Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

o'Donnabhains bar, Kenmare

Kenmare town was named as one of the top ten places to retire in the world by Forbes Magazine. The people who drink at o’Donnabhain’s bar in Kenmare, did not need anyone to tell them that. It is well known in Kenmare for the quality of its food and its traditional Irish music.

Sean’s Bar, Athlone, Co.Westmeath – The oldest bar in Ireland

Sean's bar, Athlone. The oldest bar in Ireland, if not the world.

Currently the holder of the Guinness record of the “oldest bar in Ireland” award. Seán’s bar in Athlone has an incredible history. The first records of it as a trading establishment go back to the 9th C. and bar coins, made by the owner of the day, have been found on premises. When the bar was renovated in 1970, the wall centre was found to be made of “Wattle and Wicker” dating back to the 9th C. Parts of the Wall and the coins are now in the national museum. Guinness have said that they believe this to be the oldest bar in Europe and that they are looking for competitors that can beat it for oldest bar in the World. You’ll be glad to know that it has been done up since it opened.

John Benny Moriarty’s, Daingean uí Chúis, Co. Ciarraí.

John Benny Moriarty's pub in Dingle

Dingle has about 1500 people living in the town but has 51 pubs, it really thrives on the tourist market to make up the difference. While many places get the feel of being swamped by people, this does not seem to happen in Dingle. John Benny’s is one of the livest pubs in Dingle and is well noted for music and the craic. Some of the finest trad. musicians in Ireland play here. What makes places like this special is how friendly and accommodating the owners are. If the bar is quiet, they’ll let you pour your own pint and show you how to do it. John Benny’s provides seafood on the menu as well. I remember asking the owner of the bar, where the Mussels came from. He pointed to one of his regular’s and said he fished them. Wow.

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Enjoy your night out in Ireland.

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Whiskey is best drunk with a splash of water with it. It reduces the harshness of the alcohol and brings the other flavours up. So it improves the drinking experience and the myriad of flavours.

Since the 1840′s Whiskey distilleries in Ireland provided Whiskey jugs, most of which were also used as advertising , each having distinct shapes and designs on them. These were left on the counter and customers could add a drop of the water to their whiskey from the jug on the counter.

Some of these jugs are quiet rare and have become highly desired collector items. By their very nature, these jugs are hard to find in mint condition. Jugs and drinking whiskey do not have a mutually beneficial relationship. Here are some of the Best Irish Whiskey jugs on the collectors market.

1.

Meehan Irish Whiskey Jug

This Irish Whiskey Jug from around 1900 is from a small distillery in Cork, no longer open, called Meehans. It would have come originally full of whiskey, a qtr gallon. Standing at 7 inches high, it was then used for holding water. A jug like this would cost about 20 dollars on Ebay. Not too bad.

2.

Boyd’s Irish Whiskey from Belfast. This classic type of water jug, from Belfast is quiet typical of the bar jugs from the start of the last century. Less ornate that previous models and more functional.

3.

Clay Irish Whiskey Jug

This older style jug from the 18th C. is a pottery jug and was created for Patrick Ryan wholesalers, a company that sold and distributed Whiskey and Wine in Dublin.

4.

Tullamore Irish Whiskey Jug

This small jug at only a tenth of a pint, was created for use in homes and parties. At 1/10 of a pint, it does not hold much water or Whiskey and was more driven as a branding tool, for Tullamore Whiskey in to the American Market.

5.

Best Irish Whiskey Jug

An Irish Whiskey jug from a Scottish distributor. Glasgow had a strong Irish population and thus a ready export market. “The Craythur” is a colloquialism for Whiskey. Would you like a sup of the Craythur?. The words Erin Go Bragh is an angloized version of “Éirinn go Brách”, which means “Ireland forever”.

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Jug

From the famous Tullamore Distillery in Offally, which was open between 1829 and 1959. Producing such famous whiskies as its namesake and being the source of the Knappogue Castle whiskies. This jug is a modern reproduction of an old original.

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The 10 best Irish Whiskey’s to enjoy.

Whiskey and Ireland are inter twined, the word itself come from the Irish “Uisce Baithe”, which means Water of Life, which also proves that the irreverent Irish outlook to a lot of things is not a new trait. Many of the finest Irish Whiskeys in the world still come from Ireland. Brand names like Jameson and Midleton roll of the tongue, know to many. There are however many many whiskey’s that are not made for the larger markets, that are quiet exceptional. Knappogue Castle being one in this regard. Indeed a bottle of 1951 Knappogue Castle Proun: (Napoge) sells for about $1200, and in Manhattan’s D.B.A. bar, it is sold as K51, at $51 dollars a shot. Whiskey, like Cigars boasts a dedicated following and people want quality product these days.

So my personal Top Ten Irish Whiskeys are:

10. Bushmills 21 Yr old

Bushmills 21 yr old Irish Whiskey

Bushmills distillery is the oldest licenced distillery in the world, it is believed that a distillery has been there since the 13th C. but it was not officially licenced till the 16th C. Located in Antrim, it is one of the more popular tourist attractions in the country.

This whiskey has an interesting journey from still to bottle. It is stored in three different casks to help develop an evolved flavour. First in American Bourbon barrels, then after Sherry casks and finally married in Maderia drums. This quiet special maturing process imparts a palate of aromatic malt  and is buttery smooth without being oily.

9. Red Breast 12 yr old

RED_Breast_Whiskey

A unique Whiskey Irish Pure Pot Still, with hints of malt, apples and peat. It has a spicy finish to it. Quiet a complex whiskey for one that is 12 yr old. It is exceptionally smooth and to be honest I like a bit of a kick to my Whiskey, so I avoid smooth whiskey but this one has so much going on that it is delightful. All this added up to make it “2010 Irish Whiskey of the Year”.

Made by the Midleton Distillery in Cork. A distillery with a long tradition of distilling excellent Whiskey’s, founded in 1826 by the Murphy Brothers. At the time the Midleton distillery boasted the largest still in the world at 32k gallons.

8. Connemara Peated Single Malt

Connemara

This single peated malt, does not have the overwhelming burnt taste that some scotches, it is subtle, nod to the peat tradition rather than a full endorsement. It is smooth, a mild fire and pleasant and lingering sweet aftertaste.

For centuries peat turf was burnt in the preparation of malts and for drying grain. Cooley Distillery revived this tradition and created an award winning whiskey in the process. It is distilled in small batches using copper pot stills, giving it an artisan producer touch.

7. Greenore 8 yr old Single Grain

Greenore 8 yr old single grain

A limited edition of 5000 bottles that is matured in Bourbon barrels. This Whiskey Gold Medal and Best in Class, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009. Single Grain Malt are quiet rare in Ireland, indeed in general and this is one that has pushed out the boat and performed well. There is intense hints of Vanilla, Oak and honey. This Whiskey is made by Ireland’s only independent distillery, located on the Cooley peninsula and bearing that name. An unusual Whiskey that could have not made it, it is quiet an achievement to make a whiskey with a single grain. Think big and Win big.

6. Kilbeggan Blended Whiskey

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

Another son of the Cooley Distillery, this Whiskey has a tradition behind it and the Cooley Distillery are very much in to preserving the living heritage of Irish Whiskey. This is a reasonable priced Whiskey and is still a quality product. I would get this when I want a quiet dram at home with herself of an evening watching TV and enjoying each other’s company, a pleasant whiskey for a pleasant but normal evening.Their is sumptuous tastes of coffee and chocolate in this whiskey, giving it a palate that many Whiskeys that are many times dearer struggle to find. This is Cooley’s most popular selling whiskey and comes at a reasonable price.

5. Green Spot (pure pot still)

Greenspot Irish Whiskey

Described to me as the Whiskey drinker’s Whiskey. It received a score of 94.5% from renowned Whiskey expert “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2011″. It got that score because it is really one of the world’s elite Whiskeys, an exceptional product. It has a wonderful nose and a complex body, very dry and malty, unusual in that regard. It is a pure pot still and only 500 bottles a year are released. There are excellent 12 and 8 yr versions of this whiskey as well.

4. Midleton Very Rare (Blended)

The first fine whiskey that I bought with when I first started working, always a soft spot for this one. Each bottle inspected and signed by the master blender, he has to , this whiskey has developed a reputation as the finest blended whiskey and deservedly so. The whiskeys used are hand picked by the master blender, as are the casks individually picked as well. There is only 25 casks produced each year, all combining Irish whiskeys that are between 12 and 25 years of age. It has won Double Gold Star awards, which is only awarded to unanimous gold verdicts from all the Judges. It would have been no. 1 years ago but I have started to look around a bit. The relationship is by no means over though and I still love this whiskey and its long velvet smooth finish and meadow fresh smell.

3. Jameson 18  Yr old Blend

Jameson Whiskey

Normally I try to avoid blended whiskeys but they are always on the other end of the spectrum, each bottle of this limited edition Whiskey are numbered so you can trace back to the batch at all stages.

This woody noted Whiskey is several steps up from the 12 yr old version and it is great fun to start with one and move on in years after a while, showing more difference that you would expect. There is lovely heat on the finish with a hint of leather that is quiet charming. I came very close to making this my no. 1 Irish Whiskey.

• 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold
• International Spirits Challenge 2009: Gold
• International Spirits Challenge 2008: Gold
• 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold

2.Connemara Cask Strength (Single Malt). 

Connemara Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey

This Irish Whiskey won a highly coveted Gold medal at the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirit Competition. It is bottled straight from the cask at a strength of 60%. Traditionally distilleries in Ireland used peat to dry the malt, the smoke filtering true it gave a unique flavour and taste. To quote the Whiskey expert Jim Murray ’Massive peat clings to every crevice in the mouth and remains sweet and glorious.’. A description of an Irish Whiskey that is deserving of a medal itself.

This whiskey varies in strength from batch to batch, it is not blended for uniformity, nor filtered, and yet it is an exceptional smooth Whiskey, each batch is labelled with the strength of that batch. A Whiskey from a rugged land, that is full of grace and character.

1. Knappogue Castle 1951 (Pure Pot Still).

Knappogue Castle, Irish Whiskey 1951.

This exceptional Irish Whiskey has quiet an unusual story behind it. In the 60′s an Irish American man, by the name of Andrews began purchasing casks of whiskey from Daly’s distillery in Tullamore. These whiskey’s were made in the traditional pot still, it gave a unique and better tasting whiskey, yet due to mass production its time was coming to an end. Andrews placed these casks of Whiskey, made from malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled,  in to storage in the cellars of Knappogue Castle.

This is the rarest Irish Whiskey that you can buy and represents an artisan way of making Whiskey that draws on a 1000 years of tradition. A soft dry finish with a touch of spice and Oak, and sweetness from the Sherry Barrels make this an exceptional Irish Whiskey.

If any Distillery would like me to review their product, please do email me at: editor@holidaysaroundireland.com Any review I do will be my honest opinion of your product and in depth to a greater degree than exhibited in this compendium. 

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My name is Fiona and I am the manager of Pembroke Townhouse in Ballsbridge, Dublin!

I hail from the county of Wicklow which is a beautiful region of Ireland and so close to Pembroke Townhouse if planning a day trip from Dublin 4!

Co. Wicklow is famous for it’s sheep and the Lamb is always excellent! So I choose this recipe for you today! … this recipe is a twist on the ordinary Irish Lamb Stew with a few additional flavours thrown in – Basil, Oregano, Celery, Mushrooms… and Red wine!!

My father in his retirement looks after some of the sheep belonging to my uncles’ farm in Roundwood in Co. Wicklow. These sheep graze on pasture close to the top of Bray head, between Bray and my home town of Greystones.

I think Dad, who worked many years in the banking world secretly would have liked to have been a farmer, so we believe he really enjoys the daily counting, minding and coseting of his brother-in-laws’ sheep, especially when he has his grand children in tow! He also often comes home with an abundance of local Mushrooms, Blackberries (and holly at Christmas) and whatever is in season from the fields…we don’t complain!! (this is where the Blackberries come from for the Blackberry and Apple Jam we make every Autumn for Pembroke Townhouse guesthouse – recipe details available on request!)

In return for dad’s sheep minding, my mother is handed a gift of a “whole” sheep every year from my uncle! So… various Wicklow lamb recipes are always very welcome in our house and particularly those that are suitable for the different and sometimes less “popular” cuts….so here is one for Wicklow Shoulder of Lamb.

So why not pay Co. Wicklow a visit and enjoy some of the Wicklow Lamb which is very special!

Fiona
xx

Pembroke Townhouse – Accommodation in Ballsbridge

Tel. +353 1 6600277
Email. info@pembroketownhouse.ie
www.pembroketownhouse.ie

(Editor Says: Pembroke Townhouse is a Georgian period Guesthouse, located in the heart of Dublin’s leading residential and business district – Ballsbridge. The Pembroke Townhouse has 48 guest bedrooms each decorated individually and reflective of the luxury and high quality throughout the Guesthouse. Pembroke Townhouse is a Bridgestone Recommended Guesthouse, and is named as one of the “Top 100 places to stay in Ireland. If you are looking for accommodation in Ballsbridge, then you should here. It is located in the heart of Ballsbridge and is easily accessible to Dublin city centre and to local amenities.”)

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Ireland, a nation that enjoys its pint, excels in food production, surely it must also have a wide selection of Craft beers and microbreweries. Visitors to Ireland are often surprised by the homogenous nature of the Irish beer market. They assume that there will be a vast array of differing beers in each bar. A cornucopia of artisan ales and local brew larger’s. It doesn’t unfortunately quiet work like that. Guinness is probably one of the most well known drinks in the world and its dominance of the Irish beer market has limited the opportunities for small producers to step forward and many older ones have fallen by the wayside.

While I still enjoy Guinness myself, I am happy to report that Ireland has undergone a revolution in craft beer production. In the last 12 years, 19 small breweries have been established in Ireland.  All are still thriving and in many cases producing internationally acclaimed beers.

I picked these beers on a  mix of criteria, the main one being throughly subjective in that they represent my favourite artisan beers. I did however use popular acclaim and competition result to influence my rankings. I hope that you get some of these beers for your own enjoyment and maybe to carry some to your friends as a Unique Irish Gift. 

1.    O’Hara’s Irish Stout – Carlow Brewing Company.

O'Hara's Irish Stout - Carlow Brewing Company

This classic stout from the Carlow Brewing Company, harkens back to the time when Stout was a traditional drink, and very much made for the local market.  It is full bodied, and much heavier than Guinness, giving it is unique richness. This is a complex stout, with hints of Liquorice and Coffee and a strong aftertaste of hops, which is quiet unusual for an Irish stout. Another unusual feature is the richness and tan colour of the pint’s head. It is now available in Britain, Europe and North America. A small brewery that has leveraged itself in to global distribution network all based on an obsession with quality and originality.

- Jan. 2009 – Silver Medal at the BTI World Beer Championships – Chicago.

- 2008:  No.1 Beer at the Milan Beer Festival (cask-conditioned).

- 2008:  Bronze Medal at the Stockholm Beer Festival.

- 2000:  Winner of the overall Championship Trophy and two Gold medal winner at the Millennium International Brewing Industry Awards. O’Hara’s 

2. Wrassler’s Irish Stout – Porterhouse Brewing Company.

Porterhouse_wrasslers_stout

The Porterhouse Brewing Company are viewed as the founders of the modern resurgence in Irish artisan beers and microbreweries. Their brewery in Temple Bar, Dublin, in the heart of the city, established itself for the quality of its own produce and the large selection of world beers for sale in the bar.

Wrasslers is brewed to an original recipe from “Deasy’s of West Cork” who made a local stout up to the 1930′s. It was very popular and was the favourite tipple of the great Irish patriot Micheal Collins. This is a uniquely strong stout, the first thing that strikes you is the spicy burned bitterness, that takes control of your tongue. The chocolate after taste, that soothes as it slides down your throat. Quiet a unique Irish stout and best summed up by its tagline “a stout like your gradfather used to drink”. This beer is available in stores in America, but I personally feel that its best performance is straight from the tap.

3. White Island Wheat Beer -  Inishmacsaint Brewing Company, Co. Fermanagh.

Inishmacsaint Brewing Company. A Keg of White Island Wheat Beer, begins its year's maturing in a natural cave.

This brewery stands out, in that it is farm based, in rural Fermanagh. It was set up to provide a diversification of revenue from their small holding. While providing certain business challenges, it also allows a unique approach to the manufacturing of the beer. It allows it to make special run beers, such as its “Martel” beer. It is named after the man who discovered Fermanagh’s marble arch caves. Uniquely amongs Irish beers, they store the casks in the caves for one year. Where upon release they are bottles, and sell out almost immediately.

The mountains are combed for wild herbs, to use in manufacturing new and ancient beer recipes. The brewery taking its name from a near by 5th C. Monastery. The Wheat beer is crisp, refreshing and delicious. It reflects the character, the desire to think outside the box of its manufacturer – Gordon Fallis. They have recently expanded to a larger manufacturing facility, renovating an old farm building in to a new, larger brewery.  This is quiet a new beer, but I believe that it will do very well in time to come. It has what it takes and is from a unique Microbrewery.

4.   Ór Golden Ale – Trouble Brewing Company. Co. Kildare

A smooth, refreshing golden ale that is full-bodied and has a distinctive hop flavour. It is brewed in a steamfired brewhouse and there is no pastuerization, additives or preservatives used. This is a beer that is made to a traditional recipe, and in a traditional manner. The batches and runs are small, allowing the Trouble Brewing brew master to pay extra care to each one. This really shows in the beer, it is an exceptionally high quality. Taste is sweet as well with more sweet malt, ripe berries, caramel, and soft grains. Light grassy hops as well. Body is light-medium with a strong, bubbly carbonation. Ends with more fruit notes, caramel and sweet malt

5.  Sunburnt Irish Red – 8 Degrees, Ballyhoura’s, Co. Cork.

Sunburt Irish Red Ale - 8 degrees brewing

Australia and New Zealand are both countries that are passionate about beer. So when Cam and Scott both founds themselves living in Co. Cork, married to 2 Irish girls, they expected to find themselves in artisan beer heaven. Once they saw the reality, they set up “8 Degrees” Microbrewery. A reference to the latitude of their new home country.

Sunburnt Irish Red is described as like an Irish man on holidays in the Canaries ” Red but mellow and relaxed”. It has a subtle caramel flavour and distinct flavour from its Australian hops. It can be sample in Dublin in “Against the Grain” and most off licence’s have it in stock as well.

Enjoy.

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