Beer of the Week
Hopfully, with NAH, Hair of the Dog, Night-Time Ale, 7.00% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys
"smooth companion for your night time delight"
"Hair of the Dog—Night Time West Coast IPA" is the rather long-winded name of this ale, our Beer of the Week. It results from a collaboration between Hopfully and
Beer of the Week
O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale, 5.2% ABV, on draught at the Lord Bagenal Inn in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow
O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale is a refreshing and flavourful brew that captures the essence of the modern style. With its balanced bitterness, zesty aroma, and long-lasting finish, this beer is a must-try for any craft beer enthusiast and is our Beer of the Week.
The copper-toned body is topped with a lightly carbonated head, inviting you to take a sip. The dry hopping adds a burst of fruit and floral notes, creating a complex and aromatic experience. The bitterness is well-balanced, providing a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the malt.
A Perfect Pairing
Very enjoyable in The Lord Bagenal Inn, especially after a day's wandering in the beautiful County Carlow, where this beer is produced. Its refreshing flavours and crisp finish make it a versatile beer that pairs well with a variety of foods including my delicious Asian-style Roast Duck and my companion's Chicken Curry in the Inn's restaurant.
Also on this trip:
Arboretum Garden Centre & Cafe
Three lovely riverside towns in Carlow: Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown and Borris
Kinnegar Maddyroe American Red, 5.8%, 440 ml can Carry Out St Luke’s
The fox is back in the chicken run!
Red is the colour of my true love’s hair (as Donovan sang away back when) and also the colour of
Beer Of The Week
Rye River Nocturne Export Stout, 6.0% ABV, 500 ml bottle, Dunnes
In the dark of the night, a nocturne worthy of an encore.
Rye River's Nocturne Export Stout is a midnight-hued masterpiece that blends the rich intensity of espresso and dark chocolate, laced with wisps of smoke that engage the nose. The flavours are equally intense, with rich roast caramel gently blanketing the palate and lingering long after the final sip. It is a smooth stout with a harmony of flavours that demands to be savoured, and it's sure to leave you craving more.
One nocturne worthy of an encore. Very Highly Recommended.
The Rye River brewery also does a Eventide Irish Stout at 4.5% ABV. I haven’t had an opportunity to try this one so far.
Much of the flavour comes from the speciality malts used: Carafa Special 2, Chocolate Malt, Munich 2 Malt, Pale Malt, Special W, and, yes, Smoke Malt.
Rye River uses just one hop, the American Columbus. This is not at all unusual. Quite a few breweries use it solo for a range of beers from IPA to Barley Wine.
See Beer of the Week Weekly Index here.
Beer of the Week
A Classic from 2013 still going strong!
Blacks of Kinsale certainly crafted a classic when they produced their Kinsale Pale Ale in 2013. It is one of my favourite ales. I love the way the flavours spread over the palate from the first sip and that dry clean lingering finish. Indeed, linger is the word. Take your time sipping, the better to enjoy every single drop.
Blacks had this spot on from the beginning. It is consistently excellent, as good as ever and is our current Beer of the Week.
The Blacks classic has an inviting gold colour with the whitest head of foamy bubbles. Citrusy aromas introduce themselves. And hoppy flavours galore as the golden liquid pleasures the palate and then the bonus of the crisp and refreshing finish.
it is that balance between malt and hops that I find attractive. Some brewers go too heavy on the malt for their pale ales but this recipe allows the hops, a mix of Centennial, Cascade, and Citra, to shine through, contributing flavours of grapefruit, lime and other citrus, while the malt also plays its part, not least in giving a delicious mouthfeel.
This is the brewery’s own take on it: An American style Pale Ale bursting with hoppy tropical and juicy citrus fruit flavours, masterfully fused with biscuit and caramel malt aromas to produce a fantastic taste sensation. Medium in body with perfect carbonation, this beer will zip around your mouth reaching a beautiful clean finish. Pair with: Burgers, Steaks, BBQ Meats
