Brewery Nooze🍺🍻 with Rascal's, Kinnegar, River Shannon, West Kerry, BeoirFest, Hopfully, Rebel City, Treaty City

Brewery Nooze🍺🍻

Cidery, Meadery too.. with Rascal's, Kinnegar, River Shannon, West Kerry, BeoirFest, Hopfully, Rebel City, Treaty City, Lineman, Brú, Rye, Eight Degrees and St Mel's

#211126

(if you'd like your brewery to be included in this weekly round-up, it is easy: DM a line or two with photo and link).

Rascals Brewing Co.

The World Beer Award-winning and supremely tasty Yankee White IPA is now on tap at the legendary Fionnbarra Pub on the Douglas Rd. in Cork. Up the rebels!

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Kinnegar Brewing: This image is from our Spring 2018 Brewing Academy. Gold lay buried amongst the pack. Today, just over 3 years on, one of these enthusiasts is an accomplished member of our team. Our next academy takes place on 5 & 6 March 2022. Limited places. Book now.

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RiverShannonBrewery

Competition time An exclusive River Shannon Brewery Beanie Hat to keep the oul head warm this festive season . Like and retweet to be in with a chance. Winners announced Friday 3rd December

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Eight Degrees

Delighted with my Christmas beer drop from Mitchelstown. Looking forward to trying the Barleywine in particular!

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West Kerry Brewery & Brick's Pub is at West Kerry Brewery & Brick's Pub.

Our Riasc Black lined up in gift packs ready to go

Available at #tigbhric

And

www.westkerrybrewery.ie/store/

This favourite Winter special full of warmth

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BeoirFest Lineup for Saturday next!

• St. Mels are from Longford in the heart of Ireland and since their founding in 2014 they have built a reputation for their small batch beers.
• OSO from Madrid in Spain by two friends from the UK. They brewed their first commercial beer in 2018 and aim to produce clean, crisp beers that are full of flavour.
• Valduc from Ponceau in Belgium began as a project by two students of brewing. They seek to blend the deep traditions of Belgian beer with modern craft brewing, using only the basic ingredients.

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Hopfully Brewing 

Dry-hopped Gose brewed with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Coriander Seads, lime, and an awesome combo of Simcoe, Mosaic and Comet hops, resulting in a refreshing, and mouth-watering brew.

Now available on the webshop (link in bio)

Artwork by @cnr_nln

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BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Coming soon is our biggest sale ever Black Friday 2021! 20% off everything in-store plus Free Shipping from 25-29 November. Turn Black Friday Green and support local and buy gifts for your loved ones or just gifts for yourself! Exclusively available from our online shop.  ********* Treaty City Brewery  New Beer Alert! Available from our online store and all daycent offies from today! "Thank you for your query. We are currently Out of Office and will contact you when we return. In case of emergency, Drink this Can!" *********  New look!! for Lineman's Astral Grains The keen-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Astral Grains has had a little glow-up. Astral Grains has been a core beer and firm brewery favourite and has taken awards since we first brewed it way way back in November 2019.  A lifetime ago! ⁠ Although we were very fond of the original label it was time for a little refresh for  the core range labels. The result is a clean finish (just like our beers!) and  the core beers now look like siblings rather than distant cousins!⁠ ********* BRÚ Congratulations to the winner of the Beer Writing Award at @irish_writing , @BreandanKearney for work in @goodbeerhunting ! BRÚ was delighted to sponsor this category. Read more: https://brubrewery.ie/the-irish-food-writing-awards-2021/… ********* Rye River Brewing Co. We're hiring! We're looking for a Shift Brewer, a Transistion Brewer and an Assistant Brewer to join the Rye River Team! For more details, click here: https://lnkd.in/ezh9GDXM Please email your CV to info@ryeriverbrewingco.com. ********* St. Mel's Brewing Company There are many reasons to visit Ireland's Hidden Heartlands - and it's not just our selection of brilliant beers (though that is a bonus!) Plan your staycation at https://loom.ly/7TYVU0A

Festive Afternoon Tea launched at Cork International Hotel. Plus new appointment at Trigon Group.

Festive Afternoon Tea launched at Cork International Hotel. Plus new appointment at Trigon Group.

Cork International Hotel launches a tempting Festive Afternoon Tea while Trigon Group has a new Sales and Marketing Director.

Peter Loughnane,
the new man at Trigon

Guests at the International can enjoy Christmas classics and seasonal desserts including freshly baked cranberry scones and gingerbread biscuits as well as mouthwatering sandwiches made with the best of local ingredients. The Festive Afternoon Tea will be served from 1pm to 4pm daily from the 1st until the 23rd of December. 

On the menu is: 

 

Savoury: Turkey, honey glazed ham and cranberry ciabatta; Spiced beef and Dijon mayo on mini brioche slider; Prawn cocktail on homemade soda bread; Smoked salmon and pickled cucumber pinwheel

Middle: Home-baked mini cranberry Scones with butter, jam and cream; Mini mince pies; Individual whiskey yule logs; Homemade truffles

Treat: Morella cherry panna cotta; Mini lemon meringue; Festive gingerbread biscuits; Salted caramel profiteroles

 

The Festive Afternoon Tea is €25 per adult and €12.50 per child. Pre-booking is essential as there is limited availability. People can book by calling 021 4549800.

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Trigon Hotel Group, of which Cork International is a vital part, has announced the appointment of Peter Loughnane as Group Sales and Marketing Director. Peter has extensive experience in the hospitality sector in both Ireland and the UK. 

The Offaly native began his career in the industry within the family business, the County Arms in Birr. After his Leaving Certificate, he went to the University of Surrey to study for a BSc in Hotel and Catering Management. During that time he worked in Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Kensington Palace, Clarence House, High Grove and Downing Street. He also worked for the Hyatt Group.

A move home to Ireland to start a family with his wife Sarah saw Peter take over the Sales and Marketing for the family hotel, where he stayed for 10 years. 

In 2014, Peter joined the Cork Airport Hotel as General Manager. He was appointed the first General Manager at Ballymaloe House in 2019 before returning to Trigon Hotels in 2021. The Trigon Hotel Group includes the Metropole Hotel, the Cork International Hotel and the Cork Airport Hotel.

Peter Loughnane said, “Hospitality is in my blood, I was born into a family hotel and lived there for many years. I started at a young age picking up litter in the car park and sorting bottles before making my way up to the restaurant and bar as a teenager. I am delighted to be working with the Trigon Hotel Group once again, the five years I spent as General Manager at the Cork Airport Hotel were invaluable. It really is an exciting challenge to promote Trigon Hotels on a local, national and international stage.”

Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth said, “I am delighted to announce Peter Loughnane as Group Sales and Marketing Director. He brings with him a wealth of experience and is the ideal person for this role. Peter’s passion for the industry and his desire to promote tourism and hospitality shines through in everything he does.”

The Cork International Hotel has launched a fabulously festive Christmas themed Afternoon Tea. 

press release

press release

Highly Recommended Wines from Puglia and Bordeaux.

Highly Recommended Wines from Puglia and Bordeaux.

Amastoula Aglianico Puglia (IGP) 2017, 14%, Mary Pawle

Manning’s Emporium, Ballylickey; Mortons of Galway; The Connemara Hamper. at approx €17.50

This organic wine from the south of Italy has a deep red colour. It has intense aromas, peppery and toasty with vanilla. And you’ll find all those and more on the warm palate plus red fruit flavours (cherry, plum), juicy, with firm tannins, and there is a persistent finish. Highly Recommended

Aged for 24 months in oak barrels, it goes well with red meats, baked or grilled, game and aged cheeses. Other suggestions: rabbit, chicken with paprika sauce, barbecued lamb.

Aglianico is prominent in the vineyards of Italy’s warm south. Haven’t heard of it? Don’t worry. The Italian vineyards are among the most diverse in the world and hundreds of varieties have been “authorised” for planting and selling as wine, according to Vino Italiano.

Wine_Searcher.com says Aglianico is known to produce full-bodied red wines that show musky berry flavours with firm tannins and good ageing potential. “Even when grown in hot climates, Aglianico is capable of retaining high levels of acidity, which makes it a particularly useful vine in the Mediterranean.”

Château Peybonhomme-les-Tours “Le Blanc Bonhomme” Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux (AOC) 2018, 13.5%, new to Mary Pawle List.

The Vintry in Dublin and Mannings Ballylickey RRP approx. €25-€27. You'll also spot it in a few restaurants.

I like Bordeaux whites and like them even better if there’s plenty of Semillon in the blend and that is the case here, it is fifty/fifty with Sauvignon Blanc. The classic Bordeaux white will contain at least 25 percent Sauvignon Blanc, to ensure a certain aromatic freshness. For a richer style, a higher proportion of Semillon is used. Muscadelle is the third possible grape in the blend but many Bordeaux whites do not include it.

By the way, if you are ever in the Graves area of Bordeaux, make your way to the small town of Podensac and its Maison des Vins de Graves. With about 200 wines from the area sold at château prices, the vinothèque offers wine lovers a chance to taste red and white AOC Graves and Pessac-Léognan, and the Crus Classés of Graves. There are daily tastings (not of all 200!) but enough to try out a few white blends for sure. You may also take in the Lillet Distillery in the town where the famous drink has been crafted since 1872.

A light gold is the colour of this biodynamic wine. Aromas of moderate intensity feature floral and citrus notes. The flavours are fronted by a ripe citrus flush, a rich progress on the palate, excellent mouthfeel too. Persistent fruity finish too, drier towards the finalé. Well made (it has been 40% barrel fermented), well balanced, delicious and Highly Recommended. 

Well done again to Guillaume Hubert and his team here. The suggested food pairings are Foie gras ravioli, marinated trout, cooked cheeses.

If you’re among the many Irish that have holidayed in or near Royan, then you’ve probably come across the wines of Blaye on sale in markets and so on on that side of the Gironde estuary. Blaye has a gentle rolling pastoral landscape while neighbouring Bourg is more hilly.

The vineyard has been biodynamic since 2000, pruning is double guyot, spontaneous winter grassing, tillage in spring. Treatments combining Bordeaux mixture in small quantities with herbal teas such as horsetail and nettle are used. 

Beautiful Bakestone Hampers Now Available. Plus, win one (or two!) in their competition!

Beautiful Bakestone Hampers Now Available

Plus win one (plus one!) in their competition!

Rebel Haul

Bakestone at Cobh Cross have just launched our 2021 Hamper Range including the Best of Cork Hamper. You will love the range of Irish suppliers now available in the pantry at Bakestone and we have selected the best for our hampers . See them on  www.bakestone.ie 

“With Christmas upon us, we’ve pulled out all the stops to offer you and your team with the very best of locally produced food hampers. Hand picked and carefully curated by us for you.

Your pudding, sir!

Our Hamper selection begins at €50 and will again feature our very popular ‘Best of Cork’ Hamper which shines a light on all those creating culinary delights in Ireland’s food capital.”

I’ve been looking through the hampers myself and reckon that the Best of Cork is a gem. Hard to get a hamper where every single item in it will be appreciated by the recipient but this €75.00 one comes very close I'd say!

Details:

The Best of Cork Hamper contains :

Badger & Dodo Christmas Blend

Shandon Sweets

Rebel Chilli Hot Sauce

O’Connail’s Cork Bar

Joe’s Farm Vegetable Crisps

Bakestone Jam

Bakestone Marmalade

Youghal Honey

O’Neill’s Atlantic Sea Salt

Mella’s Winter Spice Fudge

Holo Kombucha

Macroom Oatmeal

Hadji Bey’s Turkish Delight

Cards at Bakestone

To celebrate the Christmas Hampers launch, now available to purchase online on the website and ship nationwide, Bakestone are running a competition!

“We'll send out not only a Christmas hamper to you but a second hamper to someone you've nominated... maybe someone you haven't had the chance to meet in a while.  Both you and your friend will be enjoying a Bakestone Festive Feast hamper on Christmas Day

These hampers each include a Bakestone 1lb Christmas Pudding, Bakestone Mulled Wine Mix, Badger & Dodo Coffee Christmas Blend, Mella’s Winter Spice Fudge, Skelligs Christmas Chocolate Truffles, Hadji Bey’s Turkish Delight. Yum!”

More details and entry on their Facebook Page here.

 

And there’s more: “Our traditional Puddings are ready and now available from the Pantry, 1lb & 2lb puddings homemade by our talented bakers. Big shout out to @l.r.austin and @carraigprintlithopress for the gorgeous work on packaging, emphasising the luxury to be enjoyed from the get-go.

“Local artist @celinabuckley from Rylane has blown us away again this year with her new Christmas card addition 'A partridge in a pear tree'. We've also got the popular '7 swans a swimming’. Lovingly hand made with 10% of her sale proceeds going to Cork Penny Dinners, legend!

Lots of legends here in Bakestone. They don’t let the grass grown under feet. All hands on deck now for the festive season!

After all that shopping.... Why not?

Athlone Food Circle launch showcase video

 Athlone Food Circle launch showcase video

Anne Sheehy (Bastion Kitchen)

Athlone Food Circle have just launched the first in a series of videos showcasing the surprising diversity of food choices in the medieval midlands town. Member businesses represent everything from fine dining to coffee culture as well as excellent food and drink producers from the local area. The Athlone Food Circle Showcase Video is available on www.athlone.ie and on social media. Go direct to the You Tube version here.

 

Multi-award winning restaurants Thyme and The Fatted Calf are well known in the world of gastronomy. The Villager gastropub in Glasson represents all that’s good in casual dining while cafés like Beans & Leaves and Kelly’s promise much as daytime eateries. Little gems like the Bastion Kitchen whose café sports not only outstanding baking, but an exceptional vegan and vegetarian menu, all made in house.

 

On the producer side, Dead Centre Brewing is almost unique amongst breweries with its taproom and fully licenced pizzeria. New kids on the block Praliné Chocolaterie are making a real impact with their hand-crafted chocolates.

 

Thyme Restaurant

These are just some of the businesses in the fledgling network which is set to raise the profile of food and drink in the Athlone area. Under the guiding hand of Chair Deirdre Adamson, Head Chef at Glasson Lakehouse, the network has also developed a compelling food story for Athlone and presented a series of training seminars. Prospective members are invited to email athlonefoodcircle@gmail.com.

Athlone Food Circle video is supported by Athlone Chamber of Commerce and CEDRA.

Gordon Ramsay Italian Wine Collection

press release

Gordon Ramsay Italian Wine Collection

Internationally renowned, multi-Michelin starred chef Gordon Ramsay today announces his own contemporary range of Italian table wines: Gordon Ramsay Italian Collection. Created alongside world-famous winemaker Alberto Antonini, the collection combines Gordon’s passion with the heart and soul of Italian winemaking. The red, white and rose wines are available from Barry & Fitzwilliam.

“Running a 3 Michelin star restaurant for over 20 years means I have had the joy of tasting some of the finest wines in the world. Wine-making has always fascinated me; it’s a magical process where tradition, passion, and science are blended together and captured in one stunning bottle. Italy and Italian wines have a special place in my heart. Tana and I have spent some incredibly happy times in this amazing country and many of those moments were made even better by a beautiful glass of wine.

When it came to launching my own wine range, it was very important to set the same standards and quality as I expect in my restaurants. It was a huge pleasure to collaborate on this project with Alberto Antonini, one of Italy’s greatest winemakers. I'm very proud of what we’ve created and hope food and wine lovers across Ireland love it as much as I do.” Gordon Ramsay

Years in development and driven by memorable times spent in Italy, Gordon’s ambition was to source only the very best ingredients from the country. Alberto’s reputation for contemporary winemaking while simultaneously respecting traditions struck a chord with Gordon; their partnership resulted in a pioneering decision to blend fruit from two different regions, Tuscany and Abruzzo. Breaking down the barriers associated with cross-regional blending in Italy was key in achieving the desired styles and flavours.

The Intenso Rosso 2020 is a vibrant ruby red in colour with aromas of fresh redcurrant, blackberry and a touch of flint. This wine has depth and texture on the palate with approachable tannins and a soft and succulent finish. Perfect to pair with grilled Tuscan steak or a rich tomato ragu.

The Vibrante Bianco 2020 is pale straw in colour with notes of white flowers and aromas of fresh green apple and white peach. This wine is vibrant and juicy on the palate. It has a refreshing acidity with a long mineral finish and can be enjoyed with seafood risotto or a fresh caprese salad.

The Elegante Rosato 2020 is pale pink in colour with fresh red cherry aromas. This wine has a fragrant floral palate with gentle tannins and an elegant finish. The perfect accompaniment to chicken cacciatore, a freshly roasted vegetable fettuccine or simply chilled as an aperitivo.

The Gordon Ramsay Italian Collection range will be available from Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Founded in 1998, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants comprises the restaurant business of acclaimed chef, restaurateur, TV personality and author Gordon Ramsay. It is one of the largest privately-owned restaurant groups in the UK and has 34 restaurants in the UK. The group has a further 19 restaurants internationally including USA, France, Dubai and Singapore with further international openings planned. To date, Gordon Ramsay holds a total of 7 Michelin stars across the restaurant group worldwide, including the flagship venue Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which has held three Michelin-stars for 20 years. As well as fine dining, the group has expanded to include more casual dining restaurants offering a wide variety of guest experiences around the globe such as Bread Street Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, Gordon Ramsay Steak and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen.

A Quart of Ale± #78 On the craft journey with a session of Trouble Brewing, Brehon Brewhouse and Brú.

A Quart of Ale± #78

On the craft journey with a session of Trouble Brewing, Brehon Brewhouse and Brú.

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Trouble Brewing Lights Out DIPA 7.6%, 440 can Bradleys

Trouble Brewing latest DIPA comes in an opaque orange colour, when the lights are on. And there’s a strong measure of tangerine in the aromas.That vibrant fruit (and other exotic ones) just doubles up in the mouth, strong, smooth, rich, yet balanced and fresh. Bitterness is mid-scale, soft and present into the finish. 

This very impressive Double IPA is brewed with Sabro, Mosaic & Columbus and is available in cans with very limited availability on draught. My next aim is to get some of that draught! Perhaps an Asian dish on order from next door.

Trouble Brewing was founded in 2010 by three friends: Paul, Tom and Stephen. Tom had been home-brewing for years and insisted on sharing the fruits of his labour with Paul and Stephen.  On nights out, he dragged them to drink pints of various styles and flavours at pubs like the Porterhouse and the Bull and Castle beer hall, both Mecca’s for great beer in Dublin.  

Paul soon developed an interest in brewing himself, and it wasn’t long before he realised making beer was a relatively inexpensive process and buying it was quite the opposite.  With this in mind he approached Tom and Stephen with the idea of setting up a brewery of their own…. Then they set about putting together a functioning brewery.

Trouble Brewing Little Monster Pale Ale 3.5%, 440 can Bradleys

Colour of this Little Monster is a light orange, brilliant white head and shoals of bubbles rushing towards the top. Aromas are citrusy and tropical, plus a hint of pine. Flavours are unexpectedly intense for the abv and follow the aromas closely enough (with mango and pineapple among the tropicals). In addition, there is quite a bitter element from the use of the El Dorado hops. Refreshing with a lip-smacking dry finish. Quite a handful for a 3.,5% and would more than hold its own in a session. Ingredients include oats, wheat and rye.

Trouble launched the Little Monster on Facebook on October 18th last: Little Monster is heading out into the world this week! A 3.5% Pale Ale brewed with Sabro, Mosaic. Azacca & El Dorado. Available in cans, and very limited availability on draught over the next while.

Brehon Brewhouse Bright & Light Session Ale 3.5%, 440 can Bradleys

This Brehon Light and Bright is an Irish craft beer with a light texture, mild flavour and low ABV. “Our new low Abv ale is dedicated to the life story of my Grandparents James and Roseanne  McMahon,” says Seamus McMahon, brewer, farmer and drinker at Brehon.

Colour is a light golden/amber, with a slight haze through which you see the bubbles in action on their way to the white head. Aromas are of light intensity and with citrus notes. Citrus too on the zingy palate. No shortage of refreshment though and there’s a subtle touch of bitterness at the finish.

Very pleasant and excellent company, just like James and Roseanne.

Hopped with Saaz & Magnum with lager malts.

 

Brú Hop Bomb #4 IPA 5.5%, 440 can Carryout Ballyvolane

This is a hazy orange colour. Aromas are mainly citrus-y but on a layer of tropical fruits. On the palate, the fruity element continues with quite a mix including mango, passionfruit, citrus, plus a touch of pine. Fruity and refreshing.

This Brú Hop Bomb, part of their urban jungle series, was produced using Strata and Simcoe hops while the malts were Lager and Carapils.

This is Hop Bomb #4 but others will have different hops! “An IPA packed with aromas and flavours from an ever-changing blend of hops, meaning that Hop Bomb is always evolving. No matter what the recipe, it will be generously dry-hopped to get the most intense aromas possible. A simple malt base ensures that the hops take centre-stage, right where they belong. Any bitterness is balanced with sweetness from the malts, coming together for a juicy beer..”

Brú Head Brewer, Francesco, describes what makes this beer series unique:As a brewer, I love to describe this product as a didactic IPA: the malt base is even easier than the BRÚ Lager (90% Lager malt!), plus a touch of dextrin and some barley flakes. But the fun in this beer is that for every single batch, we choose a different blend of powerful hops and add them generously at the end of boiling, flameout, whirlpool and in dry hopping.