Beer Of The Week
Connemara Irish Lager, 4.5% ABV, 330 ml can (€2.99) Lidl Kickstart
consistently high-quality beers are what we’re all about
Connemara Brewing is very proud of this lager. “Our signature product is a refreshing, clean and robust lager. It features a pleasingly spicy and floral bitterness from our Žatecký (Saaz*) hops, backed up with a slight maltiness from a blend of Irish and continental grains, and a crisp, clean finish from our specially selected yeast and open fermentation process”.
There is no argument with that brewery assessment. Packed with delicious flavour and with that spicy bitterness shining through, this high-quality beer, with its clean and refreshing finish, deserves a place in the Very Highly Recommended selection BEER OF THE WEEK.
They say: Our focus is on making a small number of beers really well—consistently high-quality beers are what we’re all about. Connemara is blessed with some of the highest-quality water in the world, which, combined with the highest-quality raw materials and crafted by the know-how of our world-class brewers, results in consistently high-quality beers.
The soft Connemara water is a big help in brewing lager, and brewer Aine O’Hora makes the best of it and the other ingredients. Aine moved home to Galway following a phenomenally successful and diverse career in brewing. She has been brewing continuously since finishing her science degree almost 20 years ago (further complemented by a Master's in Brewing and distilling). She has both started and run start-up craft and large breweries.
The brewer used the open fermentation process, which is still relatively common in the UK, Germany, and Belgium, even though many craft and most large brewers do not use it. Check it out here.
I unexpectedly came across this can (and those of a few other breweries) at the Kickstart promotion in the local Lidl, where dozens of Irish producers get a chance to make an impact. Kickstart began on September 19th and will continue for a limited time or while stocks last.
If you are in Connemara, why not try a guided tour of the brewery, followed by a tasting of some of their beers? All tours must be pre-booked. Get all the details at info@connemarabrewery.com
- This hop is generally used for Bohemian-style lagers and pilsners
