Tuesday, December 20, 2022

2022 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards Finalists Announced !!

 

2022 Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards Finalists Announced !!

Cork's Imperial Hotel is
one of the finalists

The finalists for the Virgin Media Business Gold Medal Awards 2022 have been announced.
The Gold Medal Awards are delighted to have Virgin Media Business on board as the headline sponsor for the 33rd Year of their annual event.
With over 500 entries the competition was stronger than ever. After intense deliberation from the judges, only the best in the hospitality and catering industry have been shortlisted.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner hosted by Ann Doyle on Tuesday the 31st January in The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway.
2022 Finalists Revealed
Ireland’s 3 Star Hotel
Abbey Court
Ardboyne Hotel
Castle Arch Hotel
Clew Bay Hotel
Conyngham Arms Hotel
Great National South Court Hotel
Inn at Dromoland
Maldron Hotel Portlaoise
Newgrange Hotel
Summerhill Country House Hotel
Temple Bar Inn
The Connacht Hotel
The Wyatt Hotel
Ireland’s 4 Star Hotel
Armada Hotel
Ashling Hotel Dublin
Brook Lane Hotel
Cabra Castle
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence
Kelly's Resort Hotel
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
Mulranny Park Hotel
Oriel House Hotel
The Address Citywest
The Brehon and Angsana Spa
The Imperial Hotel
The Montenotte Hotel
The River Lee
Vienna Woods Hotel

Sponsored by Career Vision
Ireland’s 4 Star Resort
Ballynahinch Castle
Castle Leslie Estate
Faithlegg
Galgorm
Glasson Lakehouse
Inchydoney Island Lodge
Mount Falcon Estate
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Limerick
Seafield Hotel & Spa Resort
The Lake Hotel
The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Sponsored by Istil38
Ireland’s 5 Star Hotel
Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
Dylan Hotel
Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
Hayfield Manor
InterContinental Dublin
Lough Eske Castle
Lyrath Estate
Muckross Park Hotel & Spa
Sheen Falls Lodge
The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
The Savoy Hotel
The Westin Dublin

Sponsored by Avvio
Ireland’s Business & Conference Hotel
Carrigaline Court Hotel
Castleknock Hotel
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork City
Clontarf Castle Hotel
Cork International Hotel
Crowne Plaza Dublin Blanchardstown
Great Southern Killarney
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence
Lyrath Estate
Oriel House Hotel
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin
The Croke Park
The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway
The Gibson Hotel
The Strand Hotel

Sponsored by Career Vision
Ireland’s City Hotel
Dublin ONE
Dylan Hotel
Granville Hotel Waterford
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence
Hyde Hotel Galway
Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel
Metropole Hotel Cork
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin
Temple Bar Inn
The Address Cork
The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway
The Grafton Hotel
The Kingsley
The Mayson
The Westin Dublin
Trinity City Hotel
Ireland’s Country House & Guest House Experience
Bellingham Castle
Castle Oaks House Hotel & Estate
Castlewood House Dingle
Dunbrody Country House Hotel
Fernhill House
Marlfield House Hotel
Rathsallagh Country House
Summerhill Country House Hotel
Tankardstown House
The Castle at Castle Leslie Estate
The Mustard Seed
The Old Bank Townhouse
Ireland’s Family Friendly Hotel
Amber Springs Hotel
Carrigaline Court Hotel
Clonakilty Park Hotel
Dingle Skellig Hotel
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
Hillgrove Hotel & Spa
Manor West Hotel, Tralee
Mulranny Park Hotel
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Oriel House Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Limerick
Sligo Park Hotel
The Connacht Hotel
The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
The K Club
The Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf & Spa Hotel

Sponsored by Virgin Media Business
Ireland’s Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant
Adare Manor
Dingle Skellig Hotel
Eccles Hotel & Spa
Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens
Muckross Park Hotel & SPA
Sheen Falls Lodge
Tankardstown House
The Blue Haven Kinsale
The Cove at Fota Island Resort
The Lake Hotel
The Mustard Seed
The Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf & Spa Hotel
The Twelve Hotel
Ireland’s Front of House Team/Team Member
Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
Armada Hotel
Ashford Castle Hotel
Ballymaloe House
Center Parcs Ireland
Clew Bay Hotel
Dylan Hotel
Hayfield Manor
Longcourt House Hotel
Mount Falcon Estate
Mulranny Park Hotel
The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney
The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway
The Montenotte Hotel
The Mustard Seed
Ireland’s Guest Experience
Adare Manor
Castlewood House Dingle
Center Parcs Ireland
Dingle Benners Hotel
Hayfield Manor
Kelly's Resort Hotel
Killashee Hotel
Lahinch Coast Hotel
Lough Eske Castle
Marlfield House Hotel
Mount Falcon Estate
Mount Juliet Estate
Sheen Falls Lodge
The Imperial Hotel
The K Club
Ireland’s Healthcare Caterer
Marymount University Hospital & Hospice
National Maternity Hospital
the Q Cafe Company at Sports Surgery Clinic
The Q Cafe Company at St Patricks Mental Health Services
Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast
Brook Lane Hotel
Castle Leslie Estate
Castlewood House Dingle
Clew Bay Hotel
Crowne Plaza Dublin Blanchardstown
Dingle Skellig Hotel
Great Southern Killarney
Harvey's Point Hotel
Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence
Marlfield House Hotel
Schull Harbour Hotel & Suites
The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
The Imperial Hotel
The Metropole Hotel Cork
Rathsallagh Country House

Sponsored by Barry's Tea
Ireland’s Hotel Casual Dining Experience
The Hound at Mount Juliet Estate
The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
Dingle Benners Hotel
Armada Hotel
Dylan Hotel
Great Southern Killarney
Killarney Royal
Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre
Kinsale Hotel & Spa
McGettigans Cookhouse Citywest
Shirley Arms Hotel
The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney
The K Club
The Lodge at Ashford Castle
The Twelve Hotel
Ireland’s Hotel Spa Experience 4*
Eccles Hotel & Spa
Inchydoney Island Lodge
Kelly's Resort Hotel
Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
Kinsale Hotel & Spa
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin
Seafield Hotel & Spa Resort
Sólás Spa
The Amber Springs Hotel and Spa
The Galmont Hotel
The Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf & Spa Hotel
The Royal Marine Hotel
The Spa at Castleknock Hotel
The Spa at The Kingsley
Ireland’s Hotel Spa Experience 5*
Aqua Sana at Center Parcs Longford Forest
Castlemartyr Resort
ESPA at The Europe
Fota Island Spa
Hayfield Manor
The g Hotel & Spa
The Spa at Ashford Castle
Ireland’s Menu Provenance Award
Ashford Castle Hotel
Ballymaloe House
Blue Haven
Brook Lane Hotel
Castlewood House Dingle
Eccles Hotel & Spa
Faithlegg
Hotel Doolin
Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
Killashee Hotel
Marlfield House Hotel
Summerhill Country House Hotel
The Lake Hotel
Ireland’s Site Contract Caterer
FoodSpace Ireland @ Abbott Vascular
Gather & Gather Ireland
Master Chefs Hospitality
Sodexo - Stryker, Anngrove
The Q Cafe Company at Abbott Ireland
The Q Cafe Company at Waters Technologies

Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Ireland’s Wedding Hotel
Armada Hotel
Ballyseede Castle
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge
Eccles Hotel & Spa
Fernhill House
Hotel Doolin
Killashee Hotel
Lough Eske Castle
Markree Castle
Mount Juliet Estate
Mulranny Park Hotel
Rathsallagh Country House
Tankardstown House
The Brehon and Angsana Spa
The Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf & Spa Hotel
Ireland’s Wine Experience
Ballymaloe House
Castle Leslie Estate
Castleknock Hotel
Dunbrody Country House Hotel
Eccles Hotel & Spa
Great National South Court Hotel
Harvey's Point Hotel
Kelly's Resort Hotel
Muckross Park Hotel & SPA
Sheen Falls Lodge
Tankardstown House
The Blue Haven Hotel
The Twelve Hotel
The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Sponsored by Classic Drinks
Ireland's 5 Star Resort
Adare Manor
Ashford Castle Hotel
Fota Island Resort
Mount Juliet Estate
Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa
The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney
The K Club
Castlemartyr Resort

Sponsored by Virgin Media Business
Ireland's Afternoon Tea Hotel
Ashford Castle Hotel
Dingle Benners Hotel
Dylan Hotel
Fernhill House
Great Southern Killarney
Killarney Royal
Kinsale Hotel & Spa
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens
Mount Juliet Estate
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
Sheen Falls Lodge
The g Hotel & Spa
The Heritage Hotel
The Savoy Hotel

Sponsored by Barry's Tea
Ireland's Chef of the Year
Adare Manor - Chef Michael Tweedie
Eccles Hotel & Spa - Chef Eddie Attwell
Fota Island Resort - Maris Urbanovics
Killashee Hotel - Chef Phillip Gleeson
Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa - Chef Daniel Willimont
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens - Chef Clare O'Leary
Mount Falcon Estate - Chef Tom Doyle
Muckross Park Hotel & SPA - Chef Scott Kapitan
Ocean Sands Hotel Enniscrone - Chef Marcin Szczodrowski
Tankardstown House - Chef Johnny Sarkozi
The Blue Haven - Chef Meeran Manzoor
The Kingsley - Chef Tim Daly
The Lake Hotel - Chef Noel Enright
The Lodge at Ashford Castle - Chef Jonathan Keane
The Mustard Seed - Chef Angel Pirev

Sponsored by BWG Foods
Ireland's Hotel Group
Cusacks Hotel Group
The Blue Haven Collection
The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney
The George Hotel
The Imperial Hotel
The Savoy Hotel

Sponsored by Career Vision
Ireland's Sustainability / Leading Green Hotel
Ashford Castle Hotel
Clayton Hotel Galway
Clew Bay Hotel
Cork International Hotel
Fernhill House
Hotel Doolin
Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
Maldron Hotel Portlaoise
Maldron Smithfield
The Address Citywest
The Address Cork
The Grafton Hotel
The Heritage Hotel
The Imperial Hotel
The Kingsley

Sponsored by AIB

Monday, December 19, 2022

Just in time for the Christmas weekend. Very Highly Recommended Reds From Portugal's Alentejo and France's Pays d'Oc

Very Highly Recommended Reds From 

Portugal's Alentejo and France's Pays d'Oc

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NEW ZEALAND WINE FAIR DUBLIN Jan 30th. How about a ticket for the wine lover in your life? Details below.

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Esporão 2019 Alentejano (IG), 14% ABV, €17.95 Bradleys Cork

Alentejo is an area in the south east of Portugal and it is where this organic red wine comes from. Like most Portuguese wines, it is a blend and the grapes used are Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Franca. 

The country has scores of native grape varieties in regular use, the two Tourigas above for instance. The Alicante Bouschet is  an important variety in Alentejo. It is one of those grapes where both the skin and the flesh are red, that is to say a teinturier grape. It first saw the light of the vineyard in France in the late 1800s where it was bred as a cross. It does very well in Alentejo where, as reported by Grapes and Wines, one of its best producers is our Esporão.

Anyhow, though Portugal is never boring,  enough of the technical stuff.    Deep ruby is the colour. Ripe fruits, mostly red, waft out in the aromas, a little spice too along with herbaceous note. It is quite fresh with a silky texture, that ripe fruit prominent with a touch of spice but superbly balanced right through the persistent finish. Very Highly Recommended.

The producers: The Wine is produced solely from grapes grown at Herdade do Esporão, applying organic farming methods. It expresses the typical features of the vintage year, diversity of the soil where the vines are planted, as well as the character and identity of the selected varieties.

Winemakers David Baverstock and Sandra Alves oversaw co-fermentation of the grapes begin in the wine presses, with foot treading at controlled temperatures (22 to 25ºC), finishing in concrete tanks. Following malolactic fermentation, aging took place in the same concrete tanks for 6 months. The unique micro-oxygenation conditions provided by this type of tank aim to preserve the wine’s character.

A character well worth preserving!


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Best Value Wines 2022 Under €18.00. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 


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Brau Pinot Noir Pays Doc (IGP) 2019, 13.5%, 

RRP: €20-€21 Taste Castletownbere / Urru, Bandon / Toon's Bridge Macroom and Dublin / Mortons of Galway / Little Green Grocer Kilkenny / Scally's Supervalu Clonakilty / Mary Pawle Wines


Pinot Noir is perhaps my favourite red wine grape. And I am not alone. Wine Folly declares it “the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine”. 


I’ve enjoyed excellent examples from Burgundy of course  (where you’ll find the most prestigious Pinot Noir vineyards in the world) and also from the Alsace, from Germany, the US, New Zealand, Chile, and Romania. And this particular Pays Doc from this producer (the 2015 and the 2018 vintages).


The Languedoc may not be the usual place for Pinot Noir but this is a winner all the way. This 2019 has a lovely light ruby colour. The aromas are quite complex with cherry and red berry coming through plus notes of the local garrigue. Cherry takes a silky hold on the palate, and you have a light presence of spice in a full and generous mouthfeel. Soft tannins also there as this very approachable wine, more supple than some Pinot Noirs, moves to a pleasant and lingering finish. Very Highly Recommended.


It is part of a series that Brau calls “Unique Flavours” that also includes Fer Servadou, an old grape variety of the South-West. Their suggested pairings for the Pinot are cheese, poultry, and braised meat while Wine Folly go for duck, chicken, pork and mushrooms.

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Top Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 


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Press release:


New Zealand Consumer Tasting Monday 30th January, 2023




One of the most popular consumer wine events of the year is back in January 2023.  The annual New Zealand Wine consumer tasting which takes place on Monday 30th January, 2023.  This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in wine to get to know more about the fantastic wines currently available on the Irish market from New Zealand.

 

This popular tasting will feature an incredible range of wine style from New Zealand.  Taste some of their fantastic reds, their sparkling wines, the aromatic white grape varieties.  The two hour tasting will allow you to explore all the wine styles New Zealand has to offer.

 

Participating wineries for the 2023 New Zealand Winegrowers consumer tasting include

 

Akarua, Babich Wines, Caythorpe Family Estate, Decibel Wines, Dublin St, Graham Norton's Own Wines, Greenhough Vineyard, Hunter's Wines, Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jules Taylor Wines, LeftField, Oyster Bay, Pyramid Valley, Rimapere, Smith & Sheth, Vidal, Villa Maria, Waipara Springs, Whitehaven Wine Company, Wither Hills

 

Why not purchase a ticket as a stocking filler for the wine lover in your life? 

 

NEW ZEALAND WINE FAIR DUBLIN CONSUMER TASTING

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm   Monday 30th January, 2023

 

Venue:  Grafton Suite, Westbury Hotel, Balfe St, Dublin 2

 

Tickets available on line priced at €20.00 from:

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-zealand-wine-fair-dublin-2023-tickets-488155244477


 

Taste of the Week Mella's Salted Caramel Fudge

Taste of the Week

Mella's Salted Caramel Fudge

(or any fudge by Mella!)


When it comes to fudge, West Cork's Mella is the one for me. I recently bought a pack of her Salted Caramel at The Pantry in Bakestone (Fota Retail Park) and it is our Taste of the Week. But I know from past experience that any other fudge by Mella, including her Vanilla, her Rum and Raisin or Dark Chocolate, would be just as welcome by the taste buds.

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Mella is one of Ireland's Great Producers. Full 2022 list here!

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This particular one, the deeply caramel flavoured fudge, is West Cork butter combined with Irish Atlantic Sea Salt. And, yes, like all her fudge, this just melts in the mouth - no effort required - and the top notch salt adds an extra note or two to the combination.  Another symphony from the fudge maestro!

Not surprisingly, Mella's Fudge is widely available including at her online shop here! And she also has a seasonal special: Christmas Spice with Orange. Must get one (or more) of those myself!






Sunday, December 18, 2022

CorkBillyBeers #2. Enjoying a black Christmas on the Craft journey with Cotton Ball, Dungarvan Brewing, Lineman, Whiplash.

CorkBillyBeers #2

Craft journey with stouts from Cotton Ball, Dungarvan Brewing, Lineman, Whiplash



Enjoying a black Christmas!

Four smashing stouts to enjoy in mid-winter (not that you have to confine yourself to any one season!)

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This is the second post in CorkBillyBeers, a new series (we got to over 130 post in the previous series A Quart of Ale) and again will be trying to get beers from all over the country, including from small breweries who may not be able to produce specials every week, so lots of core beers to be included. 

Some weeks, the focus may be on one brewery, another week may concentrate on a style - like this one on stout. Again, it will be mostly Irish beer but I will throw in a "visitor" from time to time!


Just let me know your stockist(s) in Cork where I can buy them. I know some of you have terrific boxes for sale online but I don't need six or twelve of the same beer; as a regular blogger, I need six or twelve different beers!


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Four smashing stouts to enjoy in mid-winter (not that you have to confine yourself to any one season!)





Cotton Ball Lynch’s Stout, 4.3% ABV, 500ml bottle O’Donovan’s



Black, a very definite opaque one, is the colour here with a soft tan head. The ABV of 4.3 is very much in the 4% to 6.5% of the style and the finish is dry, not sweet, so no bother in calling this a dry Irish stout. Roasted malt (including coffee)  lead the aromas. They are also found on the palate along with caramel and cacao plus a streak of light fresh fruitiness. And yes, it does finish dry, and long. Indeed that finish, along with its flavour and smoothness, combine in an excellent stout.


Humphrey Lynch, an American Civil War veteran and a cotton mill foreman, returned to his native Cork in 1874 to set up his own public house which he called the Cotton Ball. It is still here today and the current generation are brewing a selection of craft beers named after their great great grandfather who left the West Cork countryside as a teenager. The brewery was founded in 2013.


Hand crafted from five malts and traditional flaked barley, moderately bittered and late hopped with US and New Zealand hops, they say: “This stout is as dark as our great grandfather Humphrey’s black humour and has a warm and mature flavour. With a phenomenal marriage of coffee roast, caramel lush, balanced by a clean bitterness exploding into a tangerine, mandarin aromatic delivery.`’


They reckon it’s a great accompaniment for hearty meat dishes, stews and steaks. But, with a shameless piece of name dropping, they say that the ultimate food pairing is our Famous Cousins’ Clonakilty Black pudding! Might as well let you know that I’m a neighbour of the Cotton Ball. Not a frequent visitor (at least not as frequent as I once was) but my order is always for the Lynch’s Stout.

Very Highly Recommended

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Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout, 4.7%, 440 ml can Bradleys


Really excellent seasonal. No bells and whistles. Nothing added to  this well made stout but a single origin coffee.


This is a regular Christmas stout from Dungarvan, now into its second decade. Oatmeal though has been used in stout since the late 1800s according to Mark Dredge’s Beer. “It was brewed and marketed as a nourishing drink for convalescents and invalids.” 


When I was growing up, an adult would stick a hot poker into a mix of stout and milk and give it to an ailing child as a tonic. A few years on and, after a hard night's training, the club officials would have a pint of milk and stout as a pick-me up. Never won anything with that club though!


They say: This classic oatmeal stout is made with oats from Flahavan’s Mills in Kilmacthomas and infused with a single origin coffee - the annual release generally signifies the beginning of the yuletide season for many. Yuletide is a term I’ve rarely heard around here, except in Christmas songs!


Dungarvan brewer Tom says “there’s usually a bit of trial and error as we try to find the sweet spot. The beans that produce a nice cup may not necessarily work well in the stout blend."


The current Dungarvan seasonal is black with a foamy tan head. Smell it and also stick your finger into the head for an early sweetish taste! I’ve been a fan of this Christmas stout since its first appearance. It is as smooth as ever with citrus and berry notes from the coffee giving a lift and adding a rich warmth to the roasted dryness. 


More malty sweet than hops bitter, a smooth and lovely companion for the weeks ahead as it’s great with earthy casseroles or desserts. It is great to cook or bake with as it doesn’t have the same bitterness as other stouts.  Goes well with blue cheese as you need something that will hold up to the strong flavour of the cheese. Also works with smoked hard cheddar and other fuller flavoured cheeses.


Can conditioned - so expect a harmless yeast sediment.


Down Waterford way they have their own way of doing things. Anyone fancy a large bottle? For instance. No large bottle of this stout but they have a surprising enough serving tip too: Ideally this stout should be served in the traditional south eastern way which is ‘off the shelf’ — ie. at room temperature.



Geek Bits

Style: Irish Stout

ABV: 4.7%

Hops: Challenger

Malts: Roasted Barley

IBUs: 41

Allergens: Contains Barley and Oats

Calories: 215 per 500ml


Very Highly Recommended

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Lineman (with Craic Beer Community) Pulse Irish Extra Stout, 5.8%, 440 ml can Bradleys



“The Community Brew Project invites Craic members to decide what beer styles they'd like to see brewed most. Stout was the overwhelming winner this time around, so we approached our friends in Lineman who we knew would be the perfect brewery for the job!” A good choice and this very acceptable Pulse Irish Extra Stout is the result!


It is of course black. And has a lasting tan head. And the aromas are of toasty malt, caramel included. Like the freshness of this one, the caramel and coffee in the complex palate, full of flavour right through to the dry finish. The labels sums it up as “a full-flavoured stout that will leave you wanting more”. Hard to argue with that.


Craic champions independent Irish beer, and showcases the amazing talents of brewers all across Ireland. The aim of Craic is to provide a welcoming space where beer fans can chat, learn about beer, and connect with others. Join us to expand your beer knowledge, engage with our community of beer fans, and have a bit of craic while you’re at it. Connect with us through our community platform, on social media, and via our podcast.


Very Highly Recommended.



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Whiplash The Wake Export Stout, 7.0%, Whiplash on line


Black, like newly laid tarmac, with a soft tan head that’s slow enough to shift. Aromas of lightly roasted coffee and chocolate may be mild but they are persistent. And what follows on the impressive palate is not a million miles away, flavours of lightly toasted bread, plus a lick of cherry across those lips, coffee is never that far away as this quite hefty stout waltzes smoothly on its way to a merry, dry and rather marvellous finalé. May I have the next dance also, please!


That’s my immediate reaction to The Wake, (hardly a dancing occasion, getting my metaphors mixed up). The Whiplash crew, rarely slow to offer advice, are a tad shy here: “… while we don’t want to tell you how to drink your beer, we’d highly recommend this one on a cold evening in front of an open fire.” That could be arranged as could a case of this black beauty.


Thanks you Whiplash. Enjoy The Wake and Happy Christmas.


Very Highly Recommended

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Pandemic or Recession, the Blair Boys never shirk a challenge

 Pandemic or Recession, the Blair Boys never shirk a challenge 



The Blairs Boys never shirk a challenge. Their family owned country inn near Cloghroe has, like many restaurants, been ambushed and battered by pandemics and rising costs, yet Duncan and Richie have come up fighting, still cooking and serving the good stuff, seasonal comforting food these bleak December days.


But leave your bleakness at the door, as they do. Lots of smiles and chats in here as regulars know. And of course they have craft beer, a full menu of it. Indeed, they were one of the pioneers (not the kind with the badge) of local beer, matching it with their local produce. On the current list, brewers such as West Kerry, Blacks of Kinsale, West Cork Brewing and 9 White Deer are highlighted.



The Stag Gluten Free Stout by 9 White Deer has been a big hit here over the years and was one of our drinks during the visit. The other was their Kölsch, a summer favourite of ours. Not summer now but the Blairs fire was warm and the beer went down a treat. Also spotted the new 9 White Deer Export Stout 7.4% (Stout Aged in Blackwater whiskey casks in West Waterford) and that came home with us. We were advised to hold on to it for a while!


We had arrived just as they opened at 1.00pm last Thursday and so did quite a few others and Christmas was very much in the air when a large group of customers came together. And there was plenty of warming food to choose from.



Starters included Soup of the Day with Potato Flatbread; Tartlet of Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, creamed leeks and a beetroot chutney; and Garlic Wild Mushrooms with potato flatbreads. Our pick, available in small and large portions, was the West Cork Whiskey Wings with a Cashel Blue dip and potato flatbreads. Superb flavours from a warming dish ideal for the zero degree weather outside in the valley.


Mains on offer included Roast Half Chicken with all the trimmings including roasties; Angus Beef Burger with cheese, gherkins and house sauce and with skin-on wedges; Roast stuffed loin of Timoleague Pork with all the trimmings with roasties of course!; a seasonal Veggie Pie, topped with Cheddar cheese mash; Thai Green Chicken Curry with steamed rice.



My pick was the Cottage Pie of ground beef topped with creamy mash and a side salad, another comforting warm blast against the cold! But I think, on the basis of a spoon or two, that CL was the winner here with a tempting looking Fisherman's Pie of fresh fish topped with smoked Hegarty’s Cheese and dill mash. It looked tempting mostly because, unusually, the chunky fish pieces were floating around an island of the tasty mash. Something different but very satisfying indeed. Just like everything else on the menu, this was comfort food at its best, perfect for the weather this time of year.

This one came home!


Finished off with a chat with the brothers and wished them luck for the months ahead. But those two know you make your own luck where the main ingredient is hard work. Their loyal local customers know that too and, combined, that’s a solid foundation for whatever pestilence or economic woe that may (or may not) lie around the corner.