Something new is brewing. Check out Cork’s latest brewery: Original 7. A Quart of Ale± #119.

A Quart of Ale± #119. On the craft beer trail with Original 7

Something new is brewing. 

 Cork’s latest brewery-Original7

Great to meet up with Shane Long and Steve Guiney, two of the people behind Cork’s latest brewery, Original 7.  We chatted to the duo as we (and a host of the city’s top barmen ) were introduced to the brewery and its beers at the Franciscan Well on the North Mall last week.

In 1998, Long established the 7th microbrewery in Ireland, before it was cool! Since then, the Franciscan Well brewery has produced some award winning beers enjoyed the world over. It was one of the original seven microbreweries in Ireland and hence the name for the new venture. A few years back, the original Franciscan Well was acquired by Mouton Coors who continue to make most of the beers in a site on the city quays.

The small original brewery on the North Mall has been bought back from Mouton Coors and it is here that Long, along with Guiney, Paidí Scully (brewer) and Dean Wrenne (junior brewer) are making the new beers. “It’s time for a new generation to take the reins,” said Shane as Original 7 Beverage Company introduced themselves last week.

Already the three beers are available in quite a few city pubs and the list is rapidly growing. And it should also become available further afield in the near future. But don’t expect a big flood of Original 7 beers as this is quite a small brewery. 

The beers will eventually become available in can, but that too could take a while, again due to capacity restrictions. Still though, they have plans to issue some seasonal beers.

With the ABV counts on many craft beers rising all the time, there was some surprise that the three beers so far each come in at a fraction above four per cent. This isn’t by accident. Their research indicated a demand for lower ABV beers and so their “focus is on truly sessionable beers, accessible to all palates”.

Original 7 Lager

“An Irish lager but the style is very much Bavarian,” said Steve Guiney as he did barman duty the other night. It is clean and crisp and immediately refreshing with floral notes, citrus too and excellent malt led flavour. Floral notes from the Perle hops, the citrus from the Mandarina Bavaria. Very pleasant indeed and in no way handicapped by its 4.1 ABV.

Style: Lager

ABV: 4.1%

IBU: 22

Hops: Perle, Sazz, Magnum, Mandarina Bavaria.

Original 7 Hazy Weisse

In the early days of the Franciscan Well, I always enjoyed my pints of their Friar Weisse, especially by the blazing fire out in Blairs Inn. The new one also hit the spot as it has many of the characteristics of the original. 

Again it is a German style unfiltered wheat beer, with zesty citrus to taste and typical aromatics of clove and banana. Not quite the same as the original though. For one thing the yeast is different and comes from the USA where it was spotted by Shane Long. It was my favourite beer of the night, my favourite of the trio.

  

Style: Weisse Beer

ABV: 4.2%

IBU: 19

Hops: Perle, Magnum for both see above)

HAZY PALE ALE

“A truly sessionable Pale Ale, hazy in opacity with tropical notes and a big mouth-feel.” Quite a bunch of hops here, from both Europe and the USA and no less than three used in a double dry hop. El Dorado, with its Apricot, Tropical and Citrus qualities, gets most of the credit for its impact on the aromatics and the flavours from the producers. See the full list below.

Style: Hazy Pale Ale

ABV: 4.1%

IBU: 31

Hops: Magnum, Mandarina Bavaria, Mosaic and Citra 

Dry Hops: Azacca, El Dorado and Citra

A couple of excellent reds: Malbec from Mendoza and a Gamay from the Loire.

A couple of excellent reds: Malbec from Mendoza and a Gamay from the Loire.

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Altos Las Hormigas “Terroir” Malbec Valle de Uco Mendoza 2018,13.5% ABV, 

RRP €26.99 The Corkscrew Baggot Street Wines Blackrock Cellar wineonline.ie

The ants (Las Hormigas) love newly planted vines. But the owners didn't want to poison them, after all the ants were the original inhabitants; they lived with the nuisance and then found that the ants had no interest in the vines once they began to grow. (Source: Wines of South America by Evan Goldstein.)

The fruit for this one hundred per cent Malbec comes from the Valle de Uco (in Argentina), an area known for its fine fruit and floral bouquets. Seventy five per cent of the wine is aged for 18 months in concrete piletas (pools) and 25% in untoasted large oak foudres. Then ageing for 6 months in the bottle.

Colour is a mid to deep ruby and there are aromas of plum and cherry; floral and herb notes too. So smooth, fresh and spicy also, the perfect introduction. And so it progresses harmoniously across the palate, the lively acidity playing its part, balancing the sweet ripe fruit all the way through to the long finalé, just a little grip from the tannins. This is a marvellous wine, from producers well respected for their Malbecs, and is Very Highly Recommended.

Suggested pairings are Mediterranean cuisine and red meats. Serve at 16 degrees. Keep for up to 7 years.

Importers Liberty tell us that friends and business partners Alberto Antonini and Antonio Morescalchi have come a long way since they were impressed by Mendoza’s vineyards on their first visit in 1995. “They have gone from being youthful interlopers to one of the country’s leading producers, as well as being pioneers of a more elegant style of Malbec.

Their combined wealth of experience as a winemaking team, as well as their never-ending experimentation and desire to produce the best wines that Argentina can offer, has made Altos Las Hormigas a Malbec specialist, with a reputation as one of the country’s top producers of this variety.

Geek Bits

Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Winemakers: Alberto Antonini, Attilio Pagli
Serving temp: 16 degrees.
Keep: 7 years.
Closure: DIAM 10
Alcohol: 13.7%
Acidity: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.75
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l

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Régnier David Gamay  (IGP) 2018, 12.5% 

€19.95 approx Saturday Pop-Up (2-5pm) at Grainstore Ballymaloe

You don’t come across Loire Valley Gamay very often in Ireland but that is indeed where this comes from. It is produced by artisan winemaker Regnier David based in Meigné sous Doué, quite close to the lovely city of Saumur.

Colour is a light ruby, as is more or less usual. Aromas from this 2018 are fruity (Blackberry) and floral (Violet) with hints of soil. it ambushes the palate with succulent fruit (with a bramble spine to it). It offers a generous juiciness, nice bit of acidity too and virtually no tannins in play. Pleasant finish, of medium length. Highly Recommended.

Smith & Whelan are the importers here and are based in Ballymaloe. Sacha Whelan is the grandson of Myrtle and Ian Allen, the couple who started Ballymaloe. S&M specialise in “quality, hand-picked wines that we enjoy drinking ourselves”. Initially, they concentrated on Spanish wines but have gradually expanded their offering into an interesting list.

Pairings:  Lighter meat dishes, charcuterie, are fine with Gamays. Cold meats, grilled poultry and cheese, salads, cold meats, grilled poultry, also. In the Loire, I’m told the local delicacy of river eel is a must with this Gamay.

Gamay is the main variety planted in Beaujolais where it thrives on the granite soils. The vast majority of the grape is grown in France and most of that in Beaujolais. Neighbouring regions such as Burgundy and the Loire raise small amounts.

When Market Lane cook for you, Resistance is zero

When Market Lane cook for you,

Resistance is zero

Rhubarb Crumble

The proof is in the pudding and so the best test of a restaurant is to eat their food. It is a test that Market Lane passes time and time again. As they did at lunch last Wednesday.

Rhubarb Lemonade

Just as well we had made a reservation. Their outside dining area on Oliver Plunkett Street was full and so was their even larger area on Beasley Street. It was packed and buzzing inside as well and we were fortunate to get a large table by a window.

It was one of those heatwave days so a drink was required. Not one with alcohol, even though I am a big fan of their own Elbow Lane beers! They have quite a choice of soft drinks including the usual suspects but also Wild Orchard Apple Juice and a couple of Fentiman’s (Trad. Ginger Beer and Curiosity Cola). Also a selection that they make themselves and from which I picked the delicious and refreshing Homemade Rhubarb Lemonade (€3.20).

The menu is a longish and varied one, even at lunchtime. Main dishes vary from a Vietnamese Chicken Salad to a Slow cooked Rosscarbery bacon collar, from Fish and Chips in an Elbow Lane batter to Pan Fried Hake with a smoked mussel and tomato sauce. And they also offer no less than eight side dishes.

My choice was the Korean bulgogi steak sandwich on sourdough baguette, chilli, sesame and soy marinade, carrots, spring onions, lime mayo and with a helping of excellent house chips (€16.90). A terrific dish and well priced. 

The marinade is key here and the kitchen certainly did it well and the meat was top quality; the sourdough was moistened as well and they all worked so well together, enhanced by the crunch of carrot strips and the onions, the salad leaves and those very tasty fries. Very Highly Recommended. I have tasted quite a few steak sandwiches this summer and oddly enough the two best are within metres of one another; my other favourite was a special at the Oliver Plunkett. Must have a head to head sometime!

We passed on the starters. They have six available ranging from Pea and Courgette fritters with Toonsbridge Fete, mint chutney and labneh to the more substantial Confit Lamb Croquettes with salad and more. You can choose from a range of sandwiches and there’s also a Soup and Sandwich Deal.

But I wasn’t going to pass on the desserts! The lists includes their well loved Orange and Vanilla Bread and Butter pudding, custard and whipped cream. Strawberry Glory, with Bushby’s Strawberries, also caught my eye as did most of the others to be honest.  How about the Ferrero dessert cocktail with Jameson Whiskey, Nutella and espresso garnished with more Nutella and hazelnuts? 

Market Lane photo (via the restaurant)

Having enjoyed the rhubarb drink earlier, I stuck with it for the sweet in the shape of a Roasted Rhubarb and walnut butter crumble with a little jug of warm custard €6.80). Outstanding, another toothsome recommendation for you.

After that it was out into the roasting afternoon, staying on the shady side of the streets as we headed across the north channel and the road to the hills.

Restaurant Info

Opening times:12-late 7 days.

Tel: 021 427 4710,

email: info@marketlane.ie,

Web: MarketLane.ie,

Insta & Facebook: /marketlanecork

Twitter: @market_lane

Taste of the Week. Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur

Taste of the Week

Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur

Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur 12.5% ABV, 500ml bottle, bought at Wine Pop-Up at Grainstore Ballymaloe

Lots of tips available on how best to use this superb Blackcurrant Liqueur by Waterford based Viking Drinks. In Kirs and Cocktails and also great with food, they say, including with Blackcurrant and Apple Strudel.

That Strudel stared me thinking. Not that there was any of it in the house. But there were some of those marvellous cherries from Con Traas’s Cahir Apple Farm. And, as if by magic, a Clafoutis was soon on the table.

The outside table that is as we are making the best of the fine weather. With the dinner finished, we sat down in the sun, cut slices of Clafoutis and poured a couple of small glasses (about 80ml) of the liqueur. Not quite a match made in heaven but certainly a winner thanks to two fantastic producers, one in Tipp, the other in Waterford. Our new Taste of the Week.

And a big thanks to May Dennison, mother of David Dennison (the producer of the liqueur and many more drinks beside). Here’s how he did it, following his mother’s recipe: Ben Cannon blackcurrants are blended with our Rondo red wine & our own honey for six days before being gently cold pressed and finished carefully with grape spirit.  This liqueur is sweet but not clawing. Footnote - This is an Award winning liqueur , Gold at Blas Na hÉireann awards, less viscous than 2020, with added Blackberry and Black Mulberry

How to use it:

Try as a Kir* or Kir Royale, as a mixer for your favorite gin or vodka or neat over ice as an after dinner digestive.

Cocktail Tip: ice, 2 parts gin, dash of blackcurrant liqueur, topped with Elderflower Tonic.

Cocktail Tip: ice, 2 parts vodka, dash of blackcurrant liqueur, slice of lime and topped with soda water.

Also great with food – try a dash over ice-cream or over a pavlova/meringue. Pairs brilliantly with blackcurrant and apple strudel with cream.

Winemakers tip: As this liqueur is unfiltered and may contain natural sediment shake gently before use. Store upright in a cool place when opened.

Limited Edition Product –  Available 6th of November 2021 . A perfect Christmas gift!

Suitable for vegans and coeliacs.

12.6% ABV

Available also online at Viking Drinks €26.95

See much more about the drink here 

*And speaking of kirs, here is one that came about more or less by accident. There was a little of the delicious Chateau Gairoird Organic Rose Côtes de Provence (from O'Briens Wine) left over towards the end of an evening, close to a glass. There was also a little drop of this marvellous Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur in the fridge so I introduced them to each other and this improvised Kir turned out to be quite a treat, even if the traditional Kir is made with white wine and creme de cassis (blackcurrant).

 

Full Programme Announced as Soul Fest 2022 is ready to have Cork Grooving From 26th - 28th August!

Programme Announced as Soul Fest 2022 is ready 

to have Cork Grooving From 26th - 28th August!

Soul Fest, Ireland’s only soul music festival is returning this August 26^th – 28^th with a jam-packed programme of soul, funk, food, drinks and entertainment taking over the city of Cork to see our summer out with a bang! With headline concerts in city hall and around 20 venues taking part across the city, as well as a live Soul Train, a Block party and pop up performances, Cork is in for a treat! 

 

Eventi Management, led by acclaimed Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy, brings Soul Fest and Cork’s own soul back to full throttle in association with Island’s Edge and with support from Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Cork’s Red FM and Cork City Council. Ms. Dunphy spoke with much enthusiasm of the festival, saying “ This is the ultimate party festival – and we want the people of Cork to come get their groove on with us, both day and night. Soul Fest has something for everyone and we want this Festival to be enjoyed by as many as possible, ensuring this Festival is made in Cork, made for the people of Cork and will always keep Cork city at its heart, we can think of nowhere else that has such Pure Soul!!”

 

As a pre-opener to the Festival, a soul selection taster event will be held at the Poor Relation on Thursday evening with some surprise guests getting everyone in the mood for the weekend ahead.  The Festival officially kicks off on Friday 26^th August with a live soul train grooving its way through the streets of Cork for all to enjoy. So, get your best moves ready to join this troop of groovemeisters as they rile bystanders of the People’s Republic with the finest moves, party-hearty enthusiasm and soulful mischief.

 

On Friday evening Laoise Leahy will kick off all things live and soulful with her big band in Cork City Hall bringing the majestic venue back to its groovier life, not seen since before the pandemic. Laoise’s rich tones will have ticketholders entranced while unveiling her highly anticipated album. The evening with Laoise will be opened by a new and upcoming soul songstress on the Cork music scene Briony O’Toole, who’s tipped to be one to watch in the coming months on her emerging rise as a soul and jazz vocalist. Briony who originally trained under Laoise at MTU Cork School of Music is set for a bright future. 

 

With such strong talent leading the charge for the weekend, Soul Fest is set up for a weekend of incredible experiences, and with a busy trail of pubs and venues on the programme, we’re only reassured of this fact. Soul Fest 2022 is brought to you by Eventi Management and in association with Island’s Edge and with both companies keen to deliver on the ultimate social experience in all that they do, over 20 venues are taking part in the Soul Fest trail, promising, groovy tunes, soulful food and drinks along with the very best that Cork has to offer. Details of all participating venues can be found on the soulfestcork.com website to make sure you don’t miss out!

 

With support from Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Saturday kicks off with a soulful brewery tasting tour at Rising Sons brewery with an accompanying special soul food bites on offer at the local brewery – booking is required and can be done so through the soulfestcork.com website. Throughout Saturday we’ll see more groovy tunes and pop events across numerous venues around the city before heading to Cork City Hall for Chicago-born, Soul-diva Karen Underwood and band taking to the stage. With such high acclaim following Karen Underwood, Saturday night of Soul Fest is already a winner for the festival circuit and Cork itself. 

Welcome to Music City

 

And if that all of that wasn’t enough the Sunday of the Festival is set alight with a much-anticipated Block Party on Cornmarket Street with the funkiest, grooviest and soul-shaking bands on the scene taking to the stage throughout the day from 1pm… Although Festival organisers are keeping a lid on the full line-up for the day, Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy told us we can expect the very best of tunes from some incredible bands including  The Art Crimes Band, Cosmic Funk, Quangodelic, The Papa Zitas and many more… this is a block party you’ll want to be at… 

 

To close out the Festival, Crane Lane Theatre will host a Festival Wrap Party til late in the popular live music venue making sure that the Festival goes out with a soulful bang with even more live music on offer from 8pm!

 

For more details on participating venues, and tickets for Cork City Hall concerts, visit www.soulfestcork.com or check out @soulfestcork across social media. 

 

Soul Fest is brought to you by Eventi Management in association with Island’s Edge and supported by Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Cork City Council and Cork’s Redfm.

press release 

 

August walk on the lovely Knockadoon Peninsula in East Cork

 August walk on the lovely 

Knockadoon Peninsula in East Cork

The old signal tower over 200 years old.
It was built during the Napoleonic wars in response to the threat of a French invasion. There were 81 such towers with line-of-sight visibility from one to the next. 

Ballycotton Lighthouse, in the hazy distance.

Heading west, ocean to the left, cornfields to the right

Weather-beaten. This old post has been here for a long time

Painted Lady (afaik)

Lots of natural colours

Youghal in the distance across the water, with cornfields ripening, above and below

The Lobster Pot on Knockadoon. If you are relying on this you need to check opening hours before you go.

Rocks, slip and pier

Sail away!

Youghal in the distance.

More on the East Cork area, including what to see and where to eat, here

Two short videos from the walk.

Make a Thursday of it at Rock Farm Slane

Make a Thursday of it at Rock Farm Slane

Thursdays are special at Rock Farm Slane and a perfect day out for everyone in the family. Top off a visit to the Farmers Market with a fascinating Rock Farm Tour around the working organic farm on the historic 1500 acre Slane Castle Estate and an exhilarating kayaking session on the River Boyne.  Carina Conyngham and her team at Rock Farm were proud winners of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Environmental Award 2022.

Rock Farm Tours
Guided tours of Rock Farm are a fascinating insight into this pioneering 90-acre organic farm and ecotourism destination on the historic Slane Castle Estate. Learn about the life of an organic farmer and artisan producer. Walk through the farm that is home to rare breed animals like Dexter cows and Tamworth pigs as well as the happy flock of chickens who provide free range eggs. Tour the organic market garden and see fields filled with the barley used for the whiskey made at Slane Distillery. Learn about eco-tourism, glamping and strawbale buildings. Enjoy sample tastings of produce from the Farmers Market. Guided tours of Rock Farm run on Thursdays at 11am and 2pm. The cost is €15 per person and tours must be pre-booked (info@rockfarmslane.ie). Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and dress for the outdoors.

Happy Rock Farm Hogs

Farmers Market
The Thursday Farmers Market is a buzzing hive of activity as local artisan producers converge on the Hay Barn with their delicious produce and craftworkers unpack their creative best.  It’s a lovely community event and a perfect spot to grab a barista coffee or a delicious hot lunch. Standholders include Baska Bakery, an artisan micro bakery based in Oldcastle who specialise in naturally, slow fermented sourdough bread without use of industrial additives or chemicals, The Cider Mill, Lus Aromatherapy, CnS Imagery, Plenitude Ferments, Bee Natural, Lu’s Indian Street Foods, Mullaghbeag Nurseries and Sophie Hunter Millinery. The Rock Farm stall always boasts a tempting display of organic meats, organic free-range eggs and organic vegetables. 

The Farmers Market runs from 11am to 4pm Farmers Market customers are welcome to enjoy the signposted walking trail around Rock Farm free of charge. 

Lucho Diez (left) leads his group

Take to the water
Complete a wonderful day out at Rock Farm Slane with a kayaking trip on the River Boyne which flows through the beautiful village of Slane. Tours run at 10am and 2pm and last 90 minutes. Book through the Rock Farm website with Boyne Voyage.

Rock Farm Slane is an organic farm certified under The Organic Trust which also offers glamping and eco accommodation. Glampers can choose from a broad choice of yurts, shepherd’s huts and bell tents, some of which are open all year round. Self-catering houses include Lime House, Ireland’s biggest straw-bale house, which sleeps 22 people and is popular with groups of friends, for celebrations and for family reunions. An outdoor wooden hot tub and natural swimming pool are just two of the added extras which make Rock Farm a very special destination. Rock Farm is part of the Slane Food Circle. 

media release

Midleton’s Finín’s Up And Running Under New Owners

 Midleton’s Finín’s Up And Running Under New Owners

A lesson on the double from my first visit to Midleton’s Finín’s after its recent takeover, and make-over, by Kinsale’s Blue Haven. In the same way as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a dish by how it looks. Even if the dish does look laid as the French say or moche as their teenagers would put it or just plain berk as the more outspoken might emit.

Hardly the most enticing Tiramisu to look at

but it is one of the best!

Toulouse Sausage

Let me start at the end, with the dessert, a Tiramisu. It came in a little bowl and looked like an emoji that had been badly designed. Yet it was superb, one of the best we’ve come across in recent times. Just seemed to have all the correct ingredients and it was sensational on the palate. Perhaps a presentation in a glass would have improved the initial impression but I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

And the other less-than-good-looking dish also provided a very happy outcome. This was the French onion soup (below), looked rather muddy in the bowl, but turned out fantastically well, sweetly delicious, another that was one of the best of its kind tasted on a long long while. A very big thumbs up here or, as the French might say: C’est vraiment très bon or perhaps just Miam! (Yum!).

Not the prettiest to look at but a joy to eat.

Black's KPA

Both dishes came from the specials board on the night and indeed the vast majority of our meal came from that board, though they do have quite a choice on the regular menu. We got a warm welcome and were soon seated downstairs - upstairs will not be ready for a few weeks yet. The bar, with its full length mirror behind, looks inviting and that was even more the case when I saw a tap for Black’s Kinsale Pale Ale, an excellent local beer and a favourite of mine. 

In face they have quite a choice of other craft beers in bottle including Porterhouse, Kinnegar and Galway Bay and also cider by Stonewell from Nohoval. Local producers are also supported when it comes to food and their suppliers include Horizon Farms in Kinsale, Harty's Cheddar, West Cork Olives, Ummera Irish Smokehouse, Cliona Dairy, Gubbeen Smokehouse, Jim Crowley's Butchers & Ballycotton Seafood (just across the street in Midleton).

It was a busy evening but the friendly staff did well, gave us a few tips when we were choosing and all worked out fine. Our other starter was from the regular menu: a deliciously crunchy Tempura of Broccoli, served with basil mayo and crispy Parma Ham and parmesan.

Mains include Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle, Smoked Chicken Caesar salad, and Catch of the Day. We could see from the dishes coming out from the kitchen that their Burger and Fish and Chips are very very popular indeed.

Seafood

On the Specials, we picked the Seafood Salad, Samphire and burnt lemon but our server explained it was more like a seafood medley and immediately the board was changed to a Seafood Selection. That came with a helping of fries and went down well indeed, especially the mussels and also the min-portion of Fish (cod) and Chips.

My choice was the Toulouse Sausage dish, with Thyme mash, roasted parsnip, black pudding and red wine jus. Flavours were excellent though. I had been expecting a heart rustic dish and that was exactly what I got. Fairly priced too at €16.50 as was the Seafood Selection at €18.90.

They were just into their second week after the opening under the new owners but, with many of the staff retained, they were going well, off to a good start. Finín’s will be worth keeping an eye on in the months ahead, especially with an experienced and respected chef as Pat Kiely (ex Les Gourmandises) at the helm.