Craft Beer

[Flash Gordon]

what's your recommendation for a good craft beer pub in Dublin?
i should probably start a new thread-what an emigrant should drink when in Ireland for a week...and where should they drink it.

Against the Grain on Wexford st is a good spot!

Against the grain is a temple to craft. Great range of Sierra Nevada seasonals too. O'neills on Suffolk street now has 50 types of beer on tap usually with the right glassware and the atmosphere is slightly less pungent than against the grain and there are considerable less beards and 3D cinema glasses.

Porterhouse is over hyped in my opinion. The concept is nice but the beers are rank.in Ireland, there are a couple of decent brewers but a lot of the brews are unstable unfortunately and that's reflected in poor and inconsistent taste.

In defence of the establishment, at a meeting I was at recently of beer writers, Guinness FES (7,5%) was unanimously voted one of the top 5 beers in the world. I drink it at room temperature but with a little chill on it it's absolutely delicious. Just be careful.....you can get it in most off licences and supermarkets (it's not extra stout just to be clear).

[neilinboston]

actually, it's a worthwhile question, I've drunk a lot of new England craft beer recently (for professional reasons it's all I've drunk in months as I've been creating a beer list to showcase new England). I've come to the conclusion that a lot of it is fairly mediocre.got to the stage where it just felt like i was drinking generic pale ale after generic pale ale with really minor differences.
with that in mind, how much of this craft beer revolution is driven by'cool'and local, small business etc and how much by product actually being superior?
don't get me wrong, I'll put the clown shoes brewery up against any beer in the world and there are a couple others that stood out (jacks abbey and the Newbury port brewing Co) and that is just from this region. but, i used to decry the option of guinness or boring lager when i went home and now discover there's an element of boring pale ale or boring pale ale with cool bottle/can/glass but no other hugely discriminating factor.
I'm aware it's a consumer driven market and the cool factor is more important to a lot of consumers than the actual taste.
i guess it boils down to 'how many of the craft brewers truly delivery a better product?'
apologies for the rambling, partly attributed to a baby and partly to the Baxter brewing Co stowaway ipa (a good, if somewhat uninspiring ipa...their summer ale is better as they use a wide range if citrus-lemongrass, lime leaves which gives a really wide and interesting favor profile...though my wife hates it)

[TerenureJim]

What's also worth pointing out is the popularity of whiskey would have meant that until recent enough years say last 30 odd most guys would have been drinking spirits rather than beers

I think the opposite is true. Consumption of spirits has grown in the last 30 years. There was an increase in Excise duty on spirits in 2003 which affected sales, but the general trend has been upward not downward.

Not saying spirit drinking is in decline at all, just that the popularity and availability of beer and more types of it has led to an increase in comsumption and diversity there. I'm sure there's an overall massive increase in alcohol consumption due to availability and increased populace with higher disposable income. I'd hazard a guess that sales of spirits have increased possibly with a large thanks to younger women choosing spirits when they go out as if you looked around the average pub with 20-30 somethings out and about I'd say you'd find 90% of lads on the beer and 70% of ladies on spirits and mixers. Totally anecdotal so happy to be corrected but I don't think I'm too far off.

[johng]

What's also worth pointing out is the popularity of whiskey would have meant that until recent enough years say last 30 odd most guys would have been drinking spirits rather than beers

I think the opposite is true. Consumption of spirits has grown in the last 30 years. There was an increase in Excise duty on spirits in 2003 which affected sales, but the general trend has been upward not downward.

Not saying spirit drinking is in decline at all, just that the popularity and availability of beer and more types of it has led to an increase in comsumption and diversity there. I'm sure there's an overall massive increase in alcohol consumption due to availability and increased populace with higher disposable income. I'd hazard a guess that sales of spirits have increased possibly with a large thanks to younger women choosing spirits when they go out as if you looked around the average pub with 20-30 somethings out and about I'd say you'd find 90% of lads on the beer and 70% of ladies on spirits and mixers. Totally anecdotal so happy to be corrected but I don't think I'm too far off.

Your figures could be off. But proportionally it was the same 30 years ago. Just that the choice was Guinness, Harp or Smithicks. Not 8 bjillion brands of Lager. Don't remember any great spirits drinking going on. More now with people drinking shots and all that.

Was a bit of that then eg. Tequilla salt and lemon. But nothing like now.

You would probably have the chyte bet out of you for ordering wine in a pub too. After they got over the shock and the laughter.

[tigerburnie]

I recall Paddy was the most popular whiskey at the time, with Jamiesons and Bushmills being around as well, think I've still got a "Paddy" whiskey tee shirt somewhere.

[Showbiz]

I enjoy Brewdogs 5am Saint - on tap in the Magpie Inn in Dalkey, delicious stuff. Was drinking some Aspall cider during the past few weeks, nice but quite strong!

[domhnallj]

I enjoy Brewdogs 5am Saint - on tap in the Magpie Inn in Dalkey, delicious stuff. Was drinking some Aspall cider during the past few weeks, nice but quite strong!

Yeah, they do a nice range. They've opened a bar here in Newcastle and I am working through the range although the upper end is strong stuff. I've been drinking Brooklyn Brewery of late in the Bodega which I am finding quite palatable.

[Sea_point]

I'm spoiled a bit (ok make it a lot) by living in the UK, and also having an excellent craft beer shop (probably the best in Surrey) two doors from my flat...

They specialise in Hopped Beers, which is fine by me as I have much Grá for a Hoppy Beer.
But the best thing is they sell and extensive range of Draught Beers which is changed every week.

This is how all Beer Shops should be...

The bottled list for this week is:

Bottles in stock w/c Tue 23rd July 2013

Adur: Black William, Hoppy Ever After, Hop Token Summit, Steyning Special
Anchor (USA): Anchor Steam, Summer Ale
Andwell: King John
Annings: Mixed Berries Cider (Pear & Mint, Pear & Peach, Strawberries & Lime due in w/c 29.07.13)
Arbor Ales: Impy Stout
Art Brew: Baby Anarchist, Art Noveau, i Beer, Hip Hop Experimental, Monkey IPA, Orange IPA
Ascot Ales: Alligator Ale, Anastasia's Imperial Stout, Posh Pooch
Beavertown: 8 Ball, Gamma Ray, Smog Rocket
Bosteels (BEL): Kwak
Brewdog: Anarchist/ Alchemist, Cocoa Psycho, Dead Pony Club, AB:13
Brewers & Union: Beast of the Deep, Berne, Dark Lager, Steph Weiss, Unfiltered Lager
Brewfist (ITA): Spaceman IPA
Brewfist (ITA)/ Beer Here (DEN): Caterpillar
Bristol Beer Factory: Acer, Seven, Southville Hop
Brooklyn (USA): Lager, Monster Ale, EIPA (cans)
Cantillon (BEL): Kriek, Rose de Gambrinus
Cave Creek (MEX): Chilli Beer
Coniston: Bluebird Bitter, Old Man Ale
Cornish Orchards: Blush Cider, Pear Cider
Dark Star: Belgian IPA, Espresso, Imperial Stout, Six Hop Ale, Sunburst
Downton: Chimera Honey Blonde, Chimera IPA, Chimera New Forest Ale
Dupont (BEL): Saison
Duvel (BEL): Tripel Hop
Floris (BEL): Honey
Flying Dog (USA): Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout, Snake Dog IPA
Founders (USA): All Day IPA, Centennial IPA
Garden Cider Company: Surrey Cider
Goose Island (USA): India Pale Ale
Gwynt y Ddraig: Black Dragon Cider, Perry Vale
Hardknott: Granite 2011
Harveys: 1859 Porter, Armada Ale, Blue Label, Lewes Castle Brown Ale, Prince of Denmark, Star of Eastbourne, Sussex Golden Ale, Tom Paine
Hepworth: Blonde Organic Lager, Prospect Organic Ale
Highland Wineries: Plum Wine, Moniack Mead
Hogs Back: Gardeners Tipple, Hop Garden Gold, Hazy Hog Cider, Ripsnorter, T.E.A.
Hollows & Fentimans: Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Hopback: Crop Circle, Entire Stout, Taiphoon, Summer Lightning (also in 5litre minicask)
Jever (GER): Pilsner
Kaltenberg (GER): Ritterbock (reduced to clear - short date)
Kernel: Export India Porter, Stella IPA, Export Stout London 1890, Imperial Brown Stout
WJ Kings: Horsham Best Bitter
Lindemans (BEL): Pecheresse
Little Beer: Little Haka Ale, 1917 Pilsner, Posh Grog Wheat
London Fields: Unfiltered Lager
Lyme Bay: Apricot Wine, Cowslip Wine, Elderflower Wine, Gooseberry Wine, Nettle Wine, Jack Ratt Scumpy Cider, Jack Ratt Vintage Dry Cider, Sparkling Cider, Traditional Mead, West Country Mead
Magic Rock: Bearded Lady
Moa (NZ): Blanc, Methode, Pale Ale
Odell (USA): 5 Barrell Pale Ale, 90 Shilling, Cuthroat Porter, IPA, St Lupilin
Orchard Pig: Charmer Cider, Reveller Cider, Truffler Cider, Totally Minted (non-alcoholic), Apple Tingler (non-alcholic)
Otter: Ale, Bitter, Bright
Partizan: IPA, Pale Simcoe/ Citra, Porter, Saison, Saison Grisette, Stout
Ridgeway: Bitter, Ivanhoe
Schlenkerla (GER): Rauch Bier
Schneider Weisse (GER): Mein Nelson Sauvin
Sharps: Chalky's Bark, Doom Bar, Single Brew Reserve
Sierra Nevada (USA): Kellerweiss, Ruthless Rye IPA, Pale Ale, Torpedo, Southern Hemi Harvest
Struise (BEL): Ingis & Flamma, Svea IPA
Surrey Hills: Shere Drop
Thistly Cross: Whisky Cask Cider
Thornbridge: Chiron, Halcyon (arriving 25.07.13), Kipling, Jaipur, Raven, Tzara, Wild Swan
Timmermans (BEL): Kriek
Tiny Rebel: Hadouken, Urban IPA
Weird Beard: Holy Hopping Hell, Mariana Trench
West Berkshire: Full Circle, Good Old Boy, Isis Pilsner, Mr Swift's Pale Ale, Tamesis Extra Stout
Westmalle (BEL): Dubbel
Wild Beer Co: Fresh, Madness IPA, Scarlet Fever, Wildebeast
Windsor & Eton: Conqueror, Conqueror 1075, Guardsman, Knight of the Garter, Republika, Windsor Knot

And on the Draught Beer list:

On Draught this week: Tuesday 23rd to Sunday 28th July:

CIDER:

GWYNT Y DDRAIG

Farmhouse Scrumpy, 5.3%
Welsh scrumpy cider.

ON NOW - £2.75/ pint

SWALLOWFIELDS

Painted Lady Perry, 6%
Soft, smooth with beautiful nose and flavour. Med/ Dry. Produced in Herefordshire.

ON NOW - £2.75/ pint

KEY KEG:

MAGIC ROCK

Kraftwerk, 5%
A US/ German pale ale.

On soon - £3.00/ pint

THORNBRIDGE

Tzara, 4.8%
Tzara is a hybrid beer, fermented like an ale but matured like a lager. A broad almost fruity palate with some bready notes.

ON NOW - £3.50/ pint

CASK ALES:


ARBOR ALES

Hoptical Delusion, 3.8%
A crisp pale ale made with American and New Zealand hops.

On soon - £2.50/ pint

CLARENCE & FREDERICKS
(CAMRA Locale)

Best, 4.1%
Best bitter with a balanced aroma from three hops and four malt varieties.

ON NOW - £2.40/ pint

DARK STAR
(CAMRA Locale)

American Pale Ale, 4.7%
Seriously full of hops.....

ON NOW - £2.50/ pint

DARK STAR
(CAMRA Locale)

Red Shift, 5.5%
A red beer brewed with floor malted pale ale and wheat grist, then liberally hopped with Czech Saaz, Bavarian Hallertau and a stack load of Aussie Galaxy.

ON NOW - £2.95/ pint

MAGIC ROCK

High Wire, 5.5%
West Coast Pale Ale. Mango, lychee and lip-smacking grapefruit flavours harmonise against a smoothly composed malt base.

ON NOW - £3.15/ pint

TILLINGBOURNE
(CAMRA Locale)

Hop Troll, 4.8%
Hoppy India Pale Ale.

ON NOW - £2.60/ pint

Updated:
Thur 25th July
6.30 pm

FYI - "CAMRA locale" is just promoting that they're selling locally-brewed real ale, reducing the number of 'beer miles', and supporting local breweries.

[Sea_point]

So good, the fecker posted twice...

[domhnallj]

[quote="Sea_point"]I'm spoiled a bit (ok make it a lot) by living in the UK, and also having an excellent craft beer shop (probably the best in Surrey) two doors from my flat...

They specialise in Hopped Beers, which is fine by me as I have much Grá for a Hoppy Beer.
But the best thing is they sell and extensive range of Draught Beers which is changed every week.

This is how all Beer Shops should be...

The bottled list for this week is:

[quote]

Bloody southerners, my local in Gateshead does a 2ltr of white lightning and fags in singles.

[Alternative Ulster]

I'm spoiled a bit (ok make it a lot) by living in the UK, and also having an excellent craft beer shop (probably the best in Surrey) two doors from my flat...

They specialise in Hopped Beers, which is fine by me as I have much Grá for a Hoppy Beer.
But the best thing is they sell and extensive range of Draught Beers which is changed every week.

This is how all Beer Shops should be...

The bottled list for this week is:

Bloody southerners, my local in Gateshead does a 2ltr of white lightning and fags in singles.

Had to look that one up

At the end of 2009, Heineken (Scottish Courage's parent company) decided to discontinue the manufacture of White Lightning in order to cease encouraging irresponsible drinking.

[Sea_point]

I'm spoiled a bit (ok make it a lot) by living in the UK, and also having an excellent craft beer shop (probably the best in Surrey) two doors from my flat...

They specialise in Hopped Beers, which is fine by me as I have much Grá for a Hoppy Beer.
But the best thing is they sell and extensive range of Draught Beers which is changed every week.

This is how all Beer Shops should be...

The bottled list for this week is:

Bloody southerners, my local in Gateshead does a 2ltr of white lightning and fags in singles.

Had to look that one up

At the end of 2009, Heineken (Scottish Courage's parent company) decided to discontinue the manufacture of White Lightning in order to cease encouraging irresponsible drinking.

And presumably replaced it with a new brand which just happens to be stronger and cheaper...

White Lightning = Alco Pop for 80's kids.....

[Peg Leg]

I'm spoiled a bit (ok make it a lot) by living in the UK, and also having an excellent craft beer shop (probably the best in Surrey) two doors from my flat...

Bottles in stock w/c Tue 23rd July 2013


Flying Dog (USA): Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout, Snake Dog IPA

Couldn't let that one past my lips, with a name like that.

[Flash Gordon]

What's also worth pointing out is the popularity of whiskey would have meant that until recent enough years say last 30 odd most guys would have been drinking spirits rather than beers

I think the opposite is true. Consumption of spirits has grown in the last 30 years. There was an increase in Excise duty on spirits in 2003 which affected sales, but the general trend has been upward not downward.

Not saying spirit drinking is in decline at all, just that the popularity and availability of beer and more types of it has led to an increase in comsumption and diversity there. I'm sure there's an overall massive increase in alcohol consumption due to availability and increased populace with higher disposable income. I'd hazard a guess that sales of spirits have increased possibly with a large thanks to younger women choosing spirits when they go out as if you looked around the average pub with 20-30 somethings out and about I'd say you'd find 90% of lads on the beer and 70% of ladies on spirits and mixers. Totally anecdotal so happy to be corrected but I don't think I'm too far off.

Interestingly, globally women drink more beer than wine and spirits combined.

[Flash Gordon]

actually, it's a worthwhile question, I've drunk a lot of new England craft beer recently (for professional reasons it's all I've drunk in months as I've been creating a beer list to showcase new England). I've come to the conclusion that a lot of it is fairly mediocre.got to the stage where it just felt like i was drinking generic pale ale after generic pale ale with really minor differences.
with that in mind, how much of this craft beer revolution is driven by'cool'and local, small business etc and how much by product actually being superior?
don't get me wrong, I'll put the clown shoes brewery up against any beer in the world and there are a couple others that stood out (jacks abbey and the Newbury port brewing Co) and that is just from this region. but, i used to decry the option of guinness or boring lager when i went home and now discover there's an element of boring pale ale or boring pale ale with cool bottle/can/glass but no other hugely discriminating factor.
I'm aware it's a consumer driven market and the cool factor is more important to a lot of consumers than the actual taste.
i guess it boils down to 'how many of the craft brewers truly delivery a better product?'
apologies for the rambling, partly attributed to a baby and partly to the Baxter brewing Co stowaway ipa (a good, if somewhat uninspiring ipa...their summer ale is better as they use a wide range if citrus-lemongrass, lime leaves which gives a really wide and interesting favor profile...though my wife hates it)

There are now over 2000 breweries in North America, more than at any time since the 1890's, so the choice is out there. There is a lot of pale ale and brands like Sam and Sierra Nevada are now mega brands. One of the reasons for that is that much craft is just undrinkable. People don't want to spend $7 for something they can't actually finish. If you get a chance go to Portland, it's a total Mecca for craft!

[TerenureJim]

Highly recommend looking up Kinnegar Ale from Rathmullan Donegal, nice stuff

[neilinboston]

this gives me an idea, what's the one beer an expat should make sure they don't miss when visiting for a week?

[neilinboston]

Portland Oregon i presume? i want to go to Colorado too.

[tones]

My current favourite pub is the Brew Dock - same chain as Against the Grain

[TerenureJim]

My current favourite pub is the Brew Dock - same chain as Against the Grain

Didn't realise Against the Grain was a chain, where's the sister pub located?