O’Hara’s: The Dark Side
Tasty Stout Double
Most craft breweries would be happy with one good stout but the crew at Carlow Brewing Company have come up with two, both under the O’Hara’s label. Thanks to a recent win in a competition by distributors Galvin’s Wine, I enjoyed both last night.
O’Hara’s Traditional Irish Stout, 4.3%, Carlow Brewing Company
Award winning...full bodied...luxuriously smooth. That is what it says on the bottle and it is all of that. Definitely a traditional stout, dry and smooth and full of lip smacking flavour with a finish that says don’t leave me too long on my own.
An award winner as far back as 2000 and still on O’Hara’s first team. Be sure to put it in your selection.
• The head though is more cream coloured than white!
• Suggested food pairings: Excellent with Seafood particularly shellfish and smoked salmon. Also pairs well with strong flavoured cheeses and dry cured meats such as Parma ham.
• Carlow Brewing’s own tasting notes here
O’Hara’s Leann Follain Extra Irish Stout, 6.0%, Carlow Brewing Company
Another award winner. Smooth and powerful and a more noticeable bitterness to balance the complex chocolate and coffee flavours. Full bodied for sure but it purrs on the palate, a Rolls Royce of stout. Indeed, a terrific example – not the only one around! – of how the country’s craft brewers can banish the bland to the bars of yesterday.
• Suggested food pairings: Matches well with any strong cheeses or cured meats. Also goes well with desserts.
• Carlow Brewing’s own tasting notes here
