CHRISTMAS BEERS FROM EIGHT DEGREES BREWING

CHRISTMAS BEERS FROM EIGHT DEGREES BREWING

 

Christmas is a special time at the brewery. A time to look forward to a new year and new beers, a time to look back at what we’ve achieved. For 2025, we decided to release a pair of beers that sum up both parts of this equation.

 

First up is the new: Hōne's Red IPA takes an Irish red ale and adds deliciously dank hops from New Zealand for a richly aromatic take on traditional. It’s NZ meets Ireland - we’re celebrating nineteenth-century solidarity between Māori and Irish vs English colonisers - and bringing these very NZ hops to the party.

 

Building on our strengths (forgetfulness and barrel ageing), V3 of our Black Ball Metric Stout features the strong stout that was a hit when first released in 2019, then again in 2020. When we rediscovered a small batch of this beauty and brought it to the 2025 Dublin Beer Festival, it got such a welcome that we decided to put what was left into cans.

  

Hōne's Red IPA
5.2% ABV

Hōne Mohi Tāwhai was a Māori member of the New Zealand parliament in the nineteenth century. He felt a deep bond of solidarity between Māori and Irish people who, at the time, were all fighting to reclaim land rights from English colonisers. Expressing his solidarity in 1879, Hōne declared: “I am an Irishman” in the NZ Parliament. To celebrate these links, we have enhanced a traditional Irish red ale with the aromatic splendour of some New Zealand's finest dank and resinous hops, Rakau and Wakatu. The flavour reminds us of Christmas pudding, a deep toffee and caramel body overlaid with mild tropical and orchard fruit aromas. Kia ora!

 

Black Ball Metric Stout
11.4% ABV

V3: You know that feeling when you find something you thought was gone forever? In our case, it was a small batch of barrel-aged Black Ball from five years ago with a flavour that was even more intense and smooth.

Still the same modern stout that shuns imperialistic, old school vernacular, the mash for our Black Ball was rammed full of dark, complex malts before being poured into those Irish whiskey barrels. It's always been a big, bold stout, but, after five years, it has completely rounded out. This rediscovered stout is deep, dark, rich and rewarding. 

 

More information: www.eightdegrees.ie

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ORSO. Deliciously different in the heart of the City.

ORSO. Deliciously different in the heart of the City.

Aubergine

Orso may be in the city centre and part of the Market Lane group but is truly a place apart. Their roots could not be more local, see suppliers below, but their reach in the kitchen and on your plate is very much the Mediterranean region.

Just check out the menu and you’ll note spices such as harissa, Dukka, Bombay Aloo, Tzatziki, Feta , Dahl, Cous Cous, Nduja, Sumac and more. And quite a few dishes are served on, or with, their own house-baked stone-bread. 

Their beers, from sister Elbow Lane, are made just around the corner and the wines are mostly from Southwest Europe. Their cocktails are highly regarded and can contain anything from Jameson to Jalapeño tequila (though not together!).

Cod

The menus, lunch and dinner, are largely based on very local produce indeed but, with spices and seasonings from near and far, are quite distinctive, often colourful and always made for you, including their flatbread which is baked as you order it.

We absolutely enjoyed dinner here a few months back and thought it was time for a return last week. We called just after the lunchtome peak and took our time over the menu. 

I noticed a lunch version of the Slow Cooked Lamb Shank that I so enjoyed last May and was tempted again before we both decided on something from the flatbread section of the menu.

Lamb Shank (from a previous visit)

I do like my aubergines but this time it was CL who picked the Spiced Aubergine Fritters, with hummus, mixed leaves, and a tomato & cucumber salsa. Colour and flavour in abundance in an appetising dish skilfully cooked and assembled and presented. 

Actually the service here in this small place was also of a high standard, no fuss, just a smiling efficient that enhanced the visit.

My choice was Cod Fillet Pieces with creamy red harissa, corn fritters, fennel and dill salad, another colourful gem. By the way, no need to worry about the harissa. Here, it, and all their other spices (mostly from Mr Bells), are judiciously handled and used to enhance the flavours rather than add heat. 

Other dishes under the Flatbread heading were Lamb Kofta Skewers (roasted

veg, red harissa, tzatziki, pickled red onion, and Chicken Schawarma (hummus, apricot & coriander relish, red cabbage slaw, turmeric aioli). We also shared a serving of their classy fries; other sides available include Garlic Stone-bread and Sweet Pea Hummus.

The menus, both lunch and dinner, are very highly recommended. The infectious enthusiasm and friendly service draw you in. Very comfortable seating, including some at the counter, is available. The Pembroke Street restaurant is in the dead centre of the city and is so easy to get to. Also, the website is up to date, and at https://www.orso.ie/, you can check out the menus and opening times.

As I mentioned earlier, ORSO (and indeed the whole Market Lane group), are terrific supporters of local. Current producers and suppliers include: Caherbeg Meats, Chicken Inn and Tom Durcan for meats; Ballycotton Seafood and K. O’Connell for fish; Churchfield Community Gardens and Singing Frog Gardens (salad and veg), Toonsbridge (Cheese), and Mr Bells for spices and seasonings.

* Dozens of current restaurant reviews here.

Spacefest. Marina Market to host spectacular Cork show as Macnas debut in the city!

SpaceFest. Marina Market to host spectacular show!

As Macnas debut in Cork.

Includes a cocktail of Astronomy, Art and Alcohol in Blackrock Castle

A SpaceFest comes travelling. Pic: C. Noonan

Out-of-this-world festival blends art, science and space at venues across Cork City and County

A week-long celebration of art and science, SpaceFest begins this weekend on Saturday 8th November with a stellar line up of events, experiments, tours and workshops across Cork city and county including the Marina Market, Blackrock Castle Observatory, The Liberty, Greywood Arts, UCC and more. 

As part of Science Week and Spacefest, spectacle performers Macnas will make their Cork premiere at Marina Market on Sunday 9th November. A vibrant troupe of drummers, stilt walkers and giant puppets will tell a powerful story about biodiversity and the gradual disappearance of the corncrake across Ireland. Known for its distinctive and recognisable call, the corncrake’s decline serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect habitats and biodiversity. 

A Macnas moon installation inspired by the performance will remain at Marina Market as part of Lunar Distance, an exhibition featuring a galactic array of art and science which runs until 12th November. Visitors can learn what cows have to do with satellites, listen to voice notes from space and record their own message for the stars, and see a tiny sculpture that orbited Earth on board the International Space Station!

Beyond the Visible is an Evening of Astronomy, Art and Alcohol taking place at Blackrock Castle Observatory on Sunday, 9th November. Astrophysicist and mixologist Dr Alfredo Carpineti will dive into a colourful exploration of galactic phenomena, turning Venus into a disco ball, painting the audience in blacklight, and serving up Sagittarius B2 cocktails inspired by the taste of a nebula. Artist Helen O’Keefe will respond in real time, sketching visual interpretations and inviting the audience to join in with hands-on materials provided. 

Join a lively trio of queer artists and scientists on Wednesday, 12th November at Taking Up Space, a night of discussion, drag performance, Equality BINGO, and a Family Fortunes-style quiz using data gathered live from the audience. The evening blends performance, conversation, and playful participation to confront and celebrate queer commonalities and community in science and the arts. Held in the relaxed lounge at Cork County Cricket Club on Mardyke Walk in the city, the event will be MC’d by Drag Queen Jeanie Mac, diva by night and scientist with an MSc in Synthetic Chemistry by day. Dr Alfredo Carpineti, astrophysicist and founder of Pride in STEM, will lead the discussion alongside Maitiú Mac Cárthaigh, an artist and researcher from ‘the arse back of nowhere’ whose work explores rural queer existence in Ireland.

On 14th November from 8 until late, the starship crew at music collective Audio Research Corporation (ARC) will bring together DJs, producers, and visual artists for a cosmic mix of music, dance, cocktails, and the chance to Adopt-An-Alien for Space Twist at The Liberty Bar, Cork (FREE).

For these and several more diverse, fun-filled STEAM events for every age, see https://spacefest.net   Funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland and run by Greywood Arts, SpaceFest encourages more than 6,500 visitors each year to explore space through science, technology, engineering, art, and maths.

Cork And Kerry Food Festival Highlights Local Producers. New momentum in Mitchelstown’s food offerings.

Cork And Kerry Food Festival Highlights Local Producers.

New momentum in Mitchelstown’s food offerings

Praline treats!

Mitchelstown has long been a key town in Ireland’s fertile Golden Vale. Its natural association with food has been gaining new momentum in recent years, thanks to enterprise like Eight Degrees Brewing, Praline Chocolate, Galtee Honey Farm and Barnahown House.

All four were together under the Mitchelstown Food Community banner at the weekend’s Cork and Kerry Food Festival in the City Hall. Praline’s Norma makes some irresistible chocolates and is keen to spread the knowledge via a series of classes next Spring, a great variety for young and old. Subjects include everything from Back to Basics to Easter Desserts and Eggs and even include a Parent and Child class. Vouchers (very acceptable as a Christmas gifts) are available for the classes. More info at www.praline.ie

Lots of Christmas gift ideas in the City Hall for the foodie in your life or just for yourself. Sage have a festive gift-box of their already famous dips. Not just food! Try one of the marvellous whiskeys from Maurice of Killarney's Wayward Irish.  Whiskey too from the Clonakilty Distillery. There’s beer from Eight Degrees and Kinsale Mead have quite a few options as well. If you are an early buyer or a last minute purchaser, please do think local as everyone benefits!

 

These amazing spice sachets from Green Saffron recall their early days at Mahon Point Farmers Market when you got the spices in a little brown bag along with a photocopied recipe and super advice from Arun himself. He told me last Saturday he he misses the give and take of the markets. The East Cork company has grown a lot since 2007 and do watch out for some amazing expansion plans in the near future.

Anthony may have retired but its great to see Ummera in good hands. All the products were
available to sample at the festival and we tried a few before settling on the legendary chicken and duck.

Maurice has a variety of spirits available under the Wayward Irish, Lakeview and Liberator labels and now there's a new gin, an unusual smoked version to enjoy.

Kevin of Shellfish Ireland had a busy time of it with punters eager to
sample their seafood products, especially that Prawn Cocktail

With the hardworking Réidín and Kevin at the helm, Sage products have really taken off.
Look out for their festive box (not in photo), an ideal Christmas present!

Amazing mushrooms, all grown (not foraged), from Garryhinch Mushrooms.

You don't often get the chance to buy Gooseberry Jam, "a forgotten flavour" these days,
but we took the opportunity at Andrea's stall in the City Hall. The jams
are made in East Cork.

Behind the Glass Curtain lies the holy grail! Flavour is our holy grail.

Behind the Glass Curtain lies the holy grail!

"Flavour is our holy grail"

Flavour is our holy grail* is the motto at MacCurtain Street’s Glass Curtain. Here, experienced  and dedicated Chef Patron Brian Murray, aided by equally dedicated acolytes, harnesses the essence of each season and fresh local ingredients to craft refined dishes, meals fit kings and gods. The pinnacle is consistently realised, the customers regally dined and wined.

The quality is evident on each and every plate. The local elements include fish and meat but also “minor” foraged items such as Sea Spaghetti and Blackberry. And these Irish blackberries, especially the smaller varieties, are full of flavour, unlike those tasteless giants from Central America that you occasionally see used as decoration on desserts. 

Tasting Menu 23.10.2025

Those blackberries featured twice on the meal that we enjoyed for a birthday occasion recently. We splashed the cash and went for the 5-course Tasting Menu. That delicious journey ended with a three part dessert and the blackberry combined with almond to good effect in one of them. Earlier, it was a welcome element in the venison which was perhaps the star course of the evening. The five courses didn’t, by the way, count an excellent Amuse Bouche at the beginning nor the petit four at the end.

Beaujolais by Morel

The first course was a duo of snacks, a Crudo (raw fish) with blackened citrus and a Sea Spaghetti fried Watercress (this latter an illustration of the Glass Curtain’s fondness of foraging)

Now we were on to the fish course (monkfish) and here the scallop XO sauce was a shining star. XO was developed in Hong Kong in the 1980s and the name is borrowed from cognac terminology to signify its high quality. Perhaps Brian came across this during his extensive travels as a chef. He learned it well and the umami flavour here on MacCurtain Street was striking.

Monkfish, scallop XO

Cultured butter (with the Focaccia)

"Half-time" was marked by the Glazed Beetroot course. Enjoyed that too but we were looking forward to the venison as we sipped from glasses of Dominique Morel, Beaujolais-Villages, France, 2023, also available by the carafe and bottle (imported by Liberty Wines). Morel himself is proud of this one and rightly so. It is full of fresh red berry fruit, elegant with good acidity, and is a great example of Beaujolais-Villages. 
 

The venison came in two dishes, done two ways: Venison, blackberry, charcuterie sauce and Quince braised venison under a potato foam and onion crisps. The meat was a perfect combination of juiciness, tenderness and flavour.  Even here blackberries played a noticeable and delicious role. The braised version was even more tender, so thumbs up on all counts.

Starters

When we first read the dessert listing we were thinking one plate and were surprised when three were served. On one, we had the Kilbrack Apple, on another the Muscovado Ice Cream and then a slice of blackberry and almond tart, all delicious although the humble locally grown apple was perhaps the standout.

Desserts x3, with the Kilbrack apple to the fore.

Bushmills 14

• Chef Murray, a native of East Cork, returned home after working in kitchens around the world, including on yachts and in Dubai, to open his own restaurant here in 2019. It is based in the old Thompsons Bakery. More on the Glass Curtain here.

• Tea Cakes, crumpet, slim and griddle cakes, rich and plain cakes (all of “superior quality”) and Swiss Rolls of course, were made here when Thompsons operated their bakery from 1826 to 1984 (when a liquidator was appointed).

* From Old French graal, from medieval Latin gradalis ‘dish’

Santa Paws returns to The Kingsley in partnership with Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

 Santa Paws returns to The Kingsley in partnership with Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

Make your (and your pups!) Christmas wish come true with a visit to Santa Claus himself at The Kingsley in Cork city on the banks of the River Lee.

 

This festive season, on Saturday 22nd, November The Kingsley are bringing back their much-loved Santa Paws event to raise money for their charity partner Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland. 

 

Since becoming pet-friendly in 2022, The Kingsley has welcomed countless pets through its doors for unforgettable stays in Cork city, and this November The Kinglsey are inviting some of their valued guests back, plus their humans, to visit Santa Claus and capture the moment with a professional shot that is sure to be a contender for the Christmas card this year!

 

Taking place on Saturday 22nd November from 9:30am to 11:00am in Perch Coffee and Wine bar at The Kingsley, enjoy a very merry morning with your four-legged family member who can meet Santa Claus and capture the moment with a professional photographer. 

 

Whether you’re an individual, couple, or family, the experience is available for just €20 per ticket (per dog ) ensuring everyone can enjoy a magical holiday moment with their pooch. Tickets are limited and pre-booking is essential via Eventbrite -  each dog will be given a time slot on the morning between 9.30-11am.

 

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, a charity providing highly trained service dogs to children with autism.

 

An evening with Bodegas Muriel at The River Lee – a Spanish wine dinner in The Grill Room

An evening with Bodegas Muriel at The River Lee – 

a Spanish wine dinner in The Grill Room

On Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, The River Lee will host an evening of Spanish wine and food in the glamorous surroundings of The Grill Room, featuring Daniel Ramírez of Bodegas Muriel, one of Rioja’s most esteemed winemaking families.

The evening will begin at 7pm with a sparkling introduction to Muriel’s celebrated portfolio, followed by a specially curated six-course menu created by Executive Head Chef Paul Pane, each course thoughtfully paired with wines from across Spain’s famed wine regions. Enjoy a journey through Albariño, Viura and Tempranillo, with Daniel guiding diners through the stories, regions and family traditions behind each wine.

Highlights of the evening include an Oscietra Caviar Royal blini paired with Albariño Viña Eguía 2023 from Rías Baixas, and a delicate Ballycotton scallop carpaccio with pickled fennel and yuzu gel matched with Viura Bodegas Muriel Blanco 2022 from Rioja. A rich wild mushroom risotto with truffled espuma and manchego will be served alongside Tempranillo Bodegas Muriel Crianza 2019, while West Cork wagyu featherblade with celeriac and grain jus will accompany the Viña Muriel Reserva 2016 from magnum. To finish, guests will enjoy The Lost Valley Cork cheese board with Tempranillo Bodegas Ollauri ‘Conde de los Andes’ 2016, followed by petits fours, tea and coffee.

Daniel Ramírez has built a distinguished international career in wine, combining academic expertise with over a decade of experience in Spain’s most prestigious regions. Now Head of Export at Muriel Wines, he represents the third generation of a family deeply rooted in Rioja’s winemaking tradition.

Founded in 1926 by José Murúa, Muriel Wines has since become one of Spain’s most respected and far-reaching wine groups. Today, the family’s eight wineries span Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rías Baixas, producing wines that balance classic craftsmanship with modern precision. At The River Lee, guests will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from Daniel about the Muriel family’s history, its evolution through three generations, and its passion for sharing the excellence of Spanish viticulture with the world.

The River Lee’s wine dinners celebrate exceptional winemakers in a relaxed and elegant setting, pairing culinary creativity with storytelling and discovery. 

The Bodegas Muriel dinner takes place on Tuesday, November 18th, from 7pm, and tickets are priced at €95 per person, including the full six-course menu and wine pairings.

For more information or to book, visit https://sevn.ly/xVmHmOpx.

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