A Quart of Ale± #9 Moving on over to craft. American Pale Ale.

A Quart of Ale± #9

Moving on over to craft.

American Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 5% abv, 12 fl. oz. bottle, Bradleys of Cork

The Pale Ale that sparked the American craft beer revolution in 1980!

You may be familiar with the Brewdog book: “Craft Beer for the People”. They talk a fair bit about how people come to craft beer and have a feature on what they call “Gateway Beer”. And the one they highlight is this very Sierra Nevada Pale, the gateway par excellence, “not only a gateway but a true pioneer”. “First brewed in November 1980, it has inspired countless brewers… (not least ourselves). A stone-cold classic…”. Classic because it has the 3 ‘A’s: accessibility, approachability and availability.

It’s got a mid-amber colour. A big white head that soon sinks to a lacy cover. Aromas are quite intense, fruity, cut through with pine notes. And you find all that too in the bold flavours but it’s a bit more complex than that. Lots of flavour for sure but the whole-cone Cascade hops bring much more to the party, “introducing a generation to the glory of hops”. But the beer is so well balanced that it seems nobody was turned off and the craft scene got up and running accompanied by an anthem of citrus and pine notes. And, 40 years later, we all march on! If you haven’t tried it, then you should!

Galway Bay “Althea” Pale Ale 4.8%, 330ml can, Bradley’s of Cork

Galway Bay’s Althea, is named after the head brewer’s favourite Grateful Dead song. You’ll have no problem catching this widely available beer which is a straight take on a modern American Pale Ale. 

You get quite a large white head on pouring but not for long! The nose, with its bunch of tropical fruit aromas, is quite hoppy, very pleasantly so.  And so it continues on the palate, rich fruits from the hops and barely a peep from the malts. 

Galway Bay are one of the Irish breweries that suggest food pairings and here the tips are: chicken, lamb, and other light meats. 

Bitterness, by the way, is measured at 48 IBUs. And that number confirms the dominance of hops and the downplaying of the malt, fairly typical of the modern American Pale Ale style, but there are many variations as there are in all beer styles. Nothing stands still as innovative brewers keep your taste buds on full alert.

Malts: Golden Promise, Vienna, Melanoidin
Hops: Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe

The White Hag “Ninth Wave” New World Pale 5.4%, 330ml can, Bradley’s of Cork

This New World Pale Ale is named after the (mythical) Ninth Wave that formed a formidable barrier for anyone wishing to cross over to New York and Boston. 

Hard to believe that the IBU here is 15 IBU, a lager like reading, while that of the Althea is 48! Pity I started this quartet with the Galway Bay and finished it with this one. Must taste the two together sometime! Sierra Nevada, by the way, is 38 IBU.

Colour is a clouded amber, topped with a short-lived white head. Aromatics are mild also, apricot, mango and citrus, all from the hops, in there. 

Quite a greeting on the palate though, creamy feel and insistently fruity (citrus to the fore) from the American hops, but all is kept in check as this balanced effort makes its way towards a very satisfactory finalé indeed.  Lively, flavourful and very drinkable. Another for that second glass, or should that be can, designation!

They say: “We are a modern independent craft brewery from Sligo, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. We brew innovative and groundbreaking beers, inspired by ancient and classic styles.” 

They brew a good lot of them! The able and masterly brewers here ensure a lot of them are good.

Western Herd “Siege” Pale Ale 5.1%, 440ml can, Bradley’s of Cork

Two of the same three hops feature in this County Clare beer and again they make the running. Cascade, Citra and Amarillo are in the mix, along with water from their own farm.

Colour is touching amber, again a big head, deflating rapidly. You notice the hops straight away in the aromas, fruity and bitter, a touch of citrus also. Flavours too feature the hops though perhaps the malt gets more of a look-in here compared to the earlier beers. Still there’s no hiding the bitterness from the Cascade hops though I get the impression (after one of each) that the Siege has more character.

Good name too isn’t it? They say: “Anywhere else, Siege is a battle cry but around here, it’s a call to dance. This modern version of the classic American pale ale has distinctive hoppy aromas of grapefruit and orange, perfectly balanced with the distinctive spiciness and bitterness of the Cascade hops.”

Western Herd suggest the following food pairings: Sharp cheese, Thai Curry and Steak (not all together, now!)

White Gypsy “Woodcock” American Pale Ale 5.8%, 500ml bottle, Bradley’s of Cork.

Colour here is amber. Head is off white and inclined to hang on for a bit more than the earlier beers. Hops and malt in the aromas, the hops not as dominant as in the Althea. Fruity and refreshing with the hops and malt in excellent balance, each contributing to the pleasant journey through to the dry finish. 

Hops used are Citra and Mosaic, both American, yet this beer has more character than many American ales, both east coast and west. That probably goes down to the malts and, indeed, the Marris Otter Malt is “world renowned for its deep rich flavour.”

The superb harmony of the Woodcock is a pleasure to enjoy and the ace Tipp beer would be difficult to top in any company.

The Gypsy invites you to follow your fortune to this independent Irish craft brewer in Tipperary and the ale is named after a local legend: “The Woodcock Carden”.

Did you know that White Gypsy make a food pairing range of beers in 75cl bottles. Well worth checking out, more info here.

Blackwater Tasters Club, Paddy Borthwick Collection, White Hag, Graham Norton and more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #17

Blackwater Tasters Club, the Paddy Borthwick Collection, White Hag, Graham Norton's 10m bottles and more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #17. Even a recipe! The Blackwater Distillery Tasters Club Launches "We are thrilled to launch Blackwater Tasters Club, Ireland's first craft distillery subscription club, and you are one of the first to know. This month's box containing a Jaffa Cake Gin & lip-smacking Limoncello - fresh from our stills! Subscribe and you will receive two of these experimental, once off and utterly delicious gins or other spirits delivered straight from our distillery to your door every 2 months. All the info here. Paddy Borthwick Collection! Wines Direct are pleased to present to you an exceptional case featuring the best of New Zealand's Paddy Borthwick. Paddy Borthwick is a regular visitor to Ireland, and a firm favourite with Wines Direct customers and staff for two reasons: his wines are excellent, and he is a charming, easy-going guy who is great company. Paddy is a maverick whose experience in the vineyards of France and Switzerland has made him into one of New Zealand's most talented winemakers. More here. The White Hag Offers Fresh Beer (& Face masks)

Some new mixes up on the store including our Craft Range Sample #1 mix, IPA Range Sample mix. A fresh batch of Bran & Sceolan - Irish IPA is also just off the line and ready to fill your fridge! A limited stock of our face-masks are also back in stock and can be purchased along with your beer order! More info here.

GRAHAM NORTON ANNOUNCES 10 MILLION BOTTLES!

• Graham Norton’s wine and spirits range celebrates landmark year with ten million bottles

• Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc and Prosecco are now amongst the top three selling wines in their respective categories in Ireland.

18,311 kilometers apart and an 11-hour time difference - watch as Graham Norton and Invivo & Co make their new wine virtually! Over a two hour video call, the business partners made their new wine and you can check out the highlights here.

WATCH GRAHAM MAKE HIS NEW SAUVIGNON BLANC VIRTUALLY NOW here

The new blend of Sauvignon Blanc is out in September

Spanish Wine and Tapas:

Manchego Cheese with Red Wine & Honey Glazed Chorizo. 

An easy recipe to enliven your staycation!

Many of you would be living the Tapas life as we speak, but because of the current situation, we find ourselves recreating holidays at home. Our contribution to your staycation is A Ticket to Spain case and a tasty (and easy) Tapas recipe for Manchego Cheese with Red Wine & Honey Glazed Chorizo. See the recipe here.

Spirit of The White Hag, Pinot Noir Day, Wines Direct, Lebanon, Drinks Theatre, and more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #16

Spirit of The White Hag, Pinot Noir Day, Wines Direct, Lebanon, and more on wine, spirits and beer in Cheers #16

Spirit of The White Hag 

As we complete our 3-year barrel aging programme, we're opening pre-registration for our Spirit programme, using ex-beer barrels to finish aged Irish Whiskey.

We have a huge collection of barrels taking their place in the whiskey programme, having previously housed some of our most loved barrel aged beers.

We're already 12 months into this project, so the first bottled liquid is coming this winter.

There are 500 places at the founders table.

thewhitehag.com/spirit

NZ celebrates Pinot Noir success story

Wind the clock back 20 years and Pinot Noir was barely known, leave alone grown, in New Zealand. But today there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the variety, and on 18 August Kiwis will be doing just that. Full story here. via Jean Smullen

Wines Direct. Ticket to Spain

Buy yourself a ticket to Spain! We figured you may be missing out on a summer holiday right now, so we put together a memorable case of some of our bestselling wines from Spain. It will not replace the white sand between your toes, but there are white wines that will put a smile on your face and reds that are Spanish sunshine in a glass. So, get out the Tapas and get on board! We are going to take you from Rioja to Rias Baixas. See the details here

Lebanon and its winemakers

 now need help!

The devastating explosion that rocked through the port and streets of Lebanon this week also sent shockwaves around the world. But as the dust settles on this unique, vibrant and historic city, the sheer scale of the damage is only just starting to be assessed. It leaves a city, and a country, already on its knees from months of economic and political turmoil that has wiped out people’s savings as its currency has collapsed. Here leading Lebanese journalist and wine critic, Michael Karam, puts this week’s shocking events into context, with a wine industry already dependent on international sales for its future, now desperate for all the support the international wine community can spare it.

More, via The Buyer, here.

Drinks Theatre at Ballymaloe

"Our fourth event of the Summer Series at the Drinks Theatre at Ballymaloe, Seamus McGrath and Colm McCan are delighted to be joined by Sacha Whelan of Smith & Whelan Wines who will present a talk and tasting of a selection of wines - on a Summer’s evening!
Fully seated, socially distanced, limited numbers, pre booking essential - tickets only available through eventbrite - link.

A Quart of Ale± #5. Moving on over to craft with lager.

A Quart of Ale± #5

Moving on over to craft. Via Lager

Lagers are a joy to drink but tough to brew. According to the Brewdog book, Craft Beer for the People, there are four sub-styles: Lager (like the four reviewed below), Kölsch, Vienna Lager, and Saison.

Perhaps the first lager, I ever drank was Carling Black Label.  If I remember rightly, in the early-mid 60s, you’d pay one shilling and four pence for a bottle, about the same price as a packet of ten cigarettes. You’d have a pretty good night out for one pound (apparently about 20 euro in today’s terms - looks like the 60s weren’t too bad after all).

Year by year, with TV advertising hitting increasingly strongly, with the likes of Carling’s Mabel and Harp’s Sally O’Brien, we were drinking mostly “big” beer, big bad beer such as horrible Harp and Tennents. There were various ales too, including Watneys and its dimpled pint glass. 

On and on it went but bit by bit, I wanted something else (I was happy enough with the stouts available), and just gradually got fed up of one lager after another, hopping back to the first one for a few weeks, then onto another one and so on..

At some point, I stumbled across some German and Czech beers, mostly in bottle but do remember getting Staropramen on draught in the Woodford (Cork) or maybe the Paul Street bar was called something else then. Staropramen and other Czechs such as the Bud below were creeping in here and there and you could eventually get a selection in bottle and on draught in the Bierhaus.

And around the same time along came Franciscan Well and the new wave of craft beers. Lager was no longer a priority as we were eased into a whole new world of flavour via Blarney Blonde and Rebel Red, a brave new world and, eventually, new modern lagers as well. 

We’ll get to the newer ones soon but, for old times’ sake, we’ll start with a Czech and a German that helped me on my way.

Budejovicky Budvar Original Czech Lager 5.0%, 50cl bottle, Bradley’s of Cork

Budejovicky Budvar is the last of the state-owned breweries in the Czech Republic. Budvar is a beer for light beer lovers. High quality top-quality Saaz hops, pure clean natural water from 300-metre deep artesian wells and carefully selected grains of a unique cultivar of Moravian barley “make the premium lager a drink for real beer experts”.

It’s a pale amber colour in the glass with constant fountains of bubbles rising to the top. Head is soft and white and retention is decent enough and the aromas are mildly hoppy. 

Very refreshing drink with some mild bitterness and, for many, a big step away from mass-produced lagers. Another Czech lager I’d have been trying at the time was Staropramen (now owned by Moulton Coors). 

Budejovicky is quite a superb lager, the original Bud, and there’s been many a court case about the name between the small Czech and huge US brewery. Interestingly, the German name of the Czech town of Budějovice is Budweiser. 

What you need to know and probably do is that the American version is a copy of the Czech beer and a dumbed down copy at that according to this article. You can check it out for yourself in a head to head. For me though, my order would be two pints of Budějovice and none of the other. Score: 2-0. At least!

Weihenstephaner Original Helles 5.1%, 0.5l bottle, Bradley’s of Cork

A light amber, even lighter than the Bud, and less bubbles also. White head doesn’t hang about. Delicate aromas but strong and clean on the palate. Another refreshing drink from the oldest still existing brewery in the world. The IBU figure, not given on all beers, is a modest 21. They also do a non-alcoholic version.

Again, like many of the continental beers, the brewery comes up with a food pairing. Here they recommended Rump steak with marinade and give you the recipe as well. Check it out here.

Almost a thousand years ago the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan was the monastery brewery of the Benedictine monks. Then, the Royal Bavarian State Brewery stepped in and it is now operating as a state directed enterprise under the control of the Bavarian Government.

The White Hag RÓC Helles Style Lager, 4.5%, 440ml can, Bradleys of Cork

Enjoyed this one, a lager of the modern kind, a few weeks ago. Light gold, slightly hazy, is the colour, a host of bubbles rising. The big fluffy head is rather short-lived. Aromas are restrained, just a subtle hint of the hops. Very pleasant in the mouth, easy drinking and well balanced to the lip-smacking finish. Light and refreshing they say. Light and refreshing it is. A flavoursome thirst-quencher indeed. IBU is 22.

The Helles style originated in Bavaria (Germany) apparently and this characterful example is one of the best Irish efforts that I’ve tasted. You’ll also see beers designated as Munich lagers, more or less the same thing as Munich is the capital of Bavaria.

Elbow Lane “Elbow” Lager, 4.4%, 500ml bottle, Bradleys of Cork

Once Covid19 struck, we had to go into the “cocoon”. So who would deliver food to us? Along came Neighbourfood, much to our relief and to that of many small producers and market traders who supplied it. My first order included a few beers from local Cork brewer Elbow Lane and very impressive they were, particularly the Pale Ale and the IPA.

And now to the lager, probably closer to the Czech and German versions than any of the others. The micro-brewery, in a small space above the Elbow Lane Smokehouse, brews according to the principles of German purity and “we formulated the beers specifically to work with the food we (the Market Lane group) offer in our five restaurants.”

All the beers are named after medieval lanes in the city, the lager after Elbow Lane itself. It is a mid-gold colour with a modest head, a head that has more staying power than most. The very modest aromas reveal little. There is a surprising tartness as it hits the palate - remember they are gearing this towards dining in their restaurants - and you can see that this lager, quite a distinctive drink, will score well with lighter dishes, including Asian. We certainly enjoyed it, on draught, with Pan Fried Monkfish on a pre-Covid visit to Goldies.

They say: This continental style lager is particularly refreshing and owes its flavour to Pilsner and Munich malts and Noble hop varieties imported from Germany and the Czech republic.

The Ciù Ciù Casella! More on beers, wines and spirits in Cheers #12

More on beers, wines and spirits in Cheers #12 

Wines direct offer you 

The Ciù Ciù Casella!

Ciù Ciù and Wines Direct have had a close relationship for over ten years. Ciù Ciù's wines have donned the tables of many significant milestone gatherings and family weddings. In celebration, we have put together something very memorable to honour our lasting partnership. You will be delighted to hear that this exceptional offer includes three wines exclusive just to the Ciù Ciù case and three wines that have proved to be permanent staff and customer favourites. Read more here.

****COMPETITION TIME**** At Blacks Brewery. To celebrate summer, Blacks Brewery (@blacksbrewery ) have teamed up with

@bradleys_offlic

to offer you the chance to win a case of KPA cans a funky btl opener and 2 tasting glasses. TO WIN just go to @blacksbrewery on Twitter to like, retweet and comment with how many cans are in the window display in the photo below.

Fresh Beer from the White Hag

Fresh out of the tank this week and first time ever on the store is The Fleadh, Red IPA and also the Róc Helles lager - you can order here, and it will ship tomorrow morning! More info here

ROSÉ FROM AUSTRIA

Rosé wine is winning friends and becoming increasingly popular, thanks to its freshness, fragrantly spicy aromas and appealing colour. It has long since shed the reputation of being “neither fish nor flesh”. Austria offers a wide range of rosé a light, pink-coloured wine made from black grapes; some are particularly delicate, while others can be racy or powerful – a few of them even with protected designation of origin! Read more here.

Kinsale Spirit Launch New Whiskey

Kinsale Spirit have launched their first whiskey; details here

Black Boar, Black Tower, JJ Corry. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #9

Black Boar, Black Tower, JJ Corry. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #9 Barrel Aged Black Boar and Barrel Aged Heather Ale Release

White Hag have finished packaging the Bourbon barrel aged Black Boar, and in a sign of the times this is the first time we have ever canned this beer. It will be available in a 330ml can. In addition, our Beann Gulban Barrel aged Heather Sour is also being released. Having been packaged a number of weeks back, it has been bottle conditioned to perfection. It is available in a 375ml bottle, with cork and cage.  Read more here. The JJ Corry Experience Ireland's first modern Whiskey Bonder, J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey, has announced it will open its doors to guests from July 6th on their farm in Cooraclare. Pre-Bookings can be made now at www.jjcorry.com/experience.  The tour is strictly for over 18's but Dogs of any age on leads are welcome. Spaces are strictly limited and due to social distancing rules are by appointment via the website only.   Spring into summer with Black Tower! If you're lusting after just the right bottle for these sunny days and balmy nights, look no further. World-famous German wine brand, Black Tower is releasing a gorgeous limited-edition bottle for the warmer months. Adorned with delicate anemones, Black Tower Fruity White is sure to be a crowd pleaser at picnics and BBQs alike.  Set to be this year's pick of the whites, Black Tower Fruity White is singing with flavour. Bursting with hints of fresh pineapple and lime flavours, Black Tower Fruity White is also great for washing down spicy chicken tacos or a sweet pork and chilli stir fry. Widely available including Dunnes, Tesco, Supervalu,retailers nationwide, priced at €8. Red Nose Wine - New Opening Hours More details here on the hours, plus take a browses through all those lovely wines that Gary has lined up for the coming months. Kinsale Mead Opens for Tours Again Mon 29th Curious about Mead? Planning a Day Trip or Staycation to Kinsale? Kinsale Mead Co. has been a hive of activity recently getting ready to re-open for their popular meadery tours and tastings on Monday 29th June. They are following the latest guidelines so their visitors can experience the tour safely. More details here