CorkBillyBeers #55. Craft with 9 White Deer, Kildare Brewing, Brewdog

CorkBillyBeers #55

Craft with 9 White Deer, Kildare Brewing, Brewdog

A red ale and two stouts for the darker nights.

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9 White Deer Stag Stout, 4.2% ABV, 500 ml bottle Bradleys

This gluten-free Stag Stout, from Ballyvourney’s 9 White Deer, weighs in at 4.2% ABV. It is a glossy black colour with a soft tan head. Aromas are rich and full of chocolate promise, which is fully delivered in the mouth. Here the chocolate and Madagascan vanilla play quite the most pleasing duet as the rich and smooth beer finds its way around. This is a must-try chocolate “block” from the West Cork Gaeltacht; it is distinctive and delicious. Smooth and creamy, all without any nitro!

We enjoyed this early in the year and the conclusion now is very much the same. 

Very Highly Recommended.

I first came across this black beauty in Blairs Inn (near Blarney) in the winter of 2017. Richard Blair, one of two brothers then running the gastro pub, told me of a satisfied customer of a few days earlier. A coeliac, the man hadn’t drunk stout, his favourite tipple, for twenty years but, having sampled the Stag, left Blair's Inn with tears of gratitude.

They say: Stag Stout is a medium-bodied traditional dry Irish stout at 4.2 % ABV. It is designed to appeal primarily to traditional stout drinks, who remember how creamy the pints used to be. The complex recipe we developed brings back to life characteristics that are long forgotten. However this stout is like no other, Stag Stout also happens to be gluten-free, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

The combination of the medium body, low carbonation and low hop bitterness makes Stag Stout a dangerously drinkable stout that tastes every bit as gorgeous as it looks. The promise from 9 White Deer is that as you enjoy a pint of Stag Stout you will agree with them in their assertion that it is the “Smoothest Stout in Ireland”.  It certainly is a good one!

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Brewdog Black Heart Draught Stout, 4.1% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

As is their usual way, Brewdog demanded attention when they launched Black Heart Draught Stout. They would take on Guinness with this  “Classic stout, brewed in and for this century. Old dog, new tricks.”

Not too sure the old dog stands up to scrutiny (Brew Dog was founded as recently as 2007) and the “new trick” turns out to be the well-known nitrogen that they add to the Chocolate and extra dark crystal malts to give smooth layers of roasted, toasted coffee and cocoa, with a hint of caramel coming through. Besides, it is labelled as Draught Stout which it is obviously not.

It certainly looks the part, black as night with a creamy-looking off-white top that hangs around a bit. There is indeed the roasted coffee and coca and caramel coming through in the smoothness. But I feel that here, and in quite a few similar stouts, the nitrogen (listed on the label), while undoubtedly adding smoothness, shaves down some other characteristics. It is not quite as “Hoppy Bitter Malty” as they proclaim. I’d give it malty but the other two are very shy indeed.

They have identified Guinness and Dublin as the object of their attack. Perhaps Britain is short of good stouts but that is not the case here and there are quite a few excellent examples, especially in the south, like the Casey Brothers from Killarney Brewing, Tipperary’s Whitefield, Dungarvan Brewery, and a number in Cork like Elbow Lane, Mi Dazza, Lynch’s, West Cork’s Stout by Stout West and, especially, Stag. Brewdog do not seem to have a handle on the challenge here. Their Cork pub didn't last very long.

In fairness, Black Heart is a 21st-century decent effort. Then again all the beers we drink now are of the same century.

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Kildare Brewing Red Ale, 4% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

“The classic beer for the modern beer lover.” That’s the description of this red ale from Kildare Brewing, the first beer I've tasted from the Sallins micro-brewery.

Colour is a dark red with a soft off whiet head that sinks slowly. Aromas are malty and there’s a malty element too as it starts in the palate. Toffee and toast are also in the background along with fruity and flowery notes from the yeast and quite a streak of acidity too keeps it nicely balanced. A bit on the light side for a classic Irish Red but a good one, quite refreshing.

“Store cold, drink fresh and enjoy,” is what the brewery advises. I did and it is Highly Recommended.

Back in August, there were celebrations in Sallins when they won two National Bar Of The Year awards for the 'Best Visitors Attraction' and  'Best Craft Beer Bar' in Ireland.

“To say we are proud of our team is an understatement as these awards are testament to what we do day in and day out here at Kildare Brewing Co & Lock 13 Brewpub.

In particular we are honoured to have such a gentle giant leading our brewery tour experiences with @tadghcomerford_ & would recommend you book a brewery tour with us to see why it's an award-winning visitor attraction by visiting www.lock13.ie (every Sat & Sun).”

Good Food Ireland says the brewery’s Lock13 pub “serves up pub grub favourites made with local ingredients as well as a wonderful selection of craft beers made on-site by the Kildare Brewing Company”.

Must call there on my next visit to Kildare.

WATCH OUT FOR 33 SOUTH MAIN STREET! NAAS PUB AND EATERY GOES BACK TO BASICS.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN!

NAAS PUB AND EATERY GOES BACK TO BASICS

-33 SOUTH MAIN PUB & EATERY INVESTS €500K IN NEW EVENT SPACE-

-15 NEW HOSPITALITY JOBS TO BE CREATED AT NEW VENUE-

 

Andy Hogan, proprietor of 33 South Main

A €500,000 renovation and extension project has been underway for the last few months at the well-known pub and eatery, 33 South Main in Naas Co. Kildare. The famous Naas landmark premises was known as ‘The Ivy’ for decades until seasoned hospitality artisan Andy Hogan acquired the property in June 2017 and completely gutted, renovated and rebranded the establishment as ‘33 South Main’. 

Under Hogan’s tenure the original pub was completely reimagined and is now a stylish sports bar and eatery with an open kitchen serving an all-day causal food menu, craft beers, cocktails and its famous gourmet burgers and spicy Louisiana style chicken wings to a growing cohort of fans.  The business has been closed due to the current Coronavirus restrictions but will open (from Friday 8^th of May) for takeaway food and drinks.

Hogan has now added a 2,500 sq. ft event and live music space to the rear of the existing establishment with works almost at completion stage. The new offering, which will be known as ‘The Stores Bar & Venue’ will hold 200 people and will be multifunctional. The investment in the complete project is over €500,000 and once complete will create 15 new full and part-time roles.  This is in addition to the existing 28 people who are currently employed by Hogan, making 33 South Main one of the largest employers in the hospitality sector in Naas.

“The idea for an extension at 33 South Main was first discussed with my team in early 2019 as we needed additional space for the growing number of party bookings we received in the lead up to Christmas 2018”, said Hogan. The initial concept, he said was to add a function room for weekend use only but as the year progressed and the business continued to grow, the need for an additional bar and or dining facilities became the main driver behind the expansion plans. “Naas is well known as a great place to eat, there are lots of restaurants and pubs offering quality food and drink but after some more research we identified a major gap in the market to create a flexible event space. 

The landlord, John Healy had acquired the premises next door, at 34 South Main Street, both number 33 and 34 share a large yard to the rear of the terrace where an old stone cut building which was once used to store documents for a firm of solicitors lay idle, desolate and unused. The potential of the building was quickly identified by Hogan as the new event space he needed, and he put plans in train to realise his ambition for a new venue.

The Stores Bar & Venue has been designed so that it can be used to accommodate additional diners and patrons, or it can be used as a standalone private function space.  It has its own separate bathrooms and bar and can be accessed via a dedicated entrance off the ample private car park to the rear. This allows private functions to take place without guests having to traverse the public bar and dining areas to the front. The new event space also has its own permanent stage which can host larger bands for live music sessions and on big sporting occasions televised sport will be shown on several large screens and projectors. 

Hogan commissioned P & R Design to create a design solution that would complement the pub and meet his business objectives.  The brief was to create something that had a slightly younger, cooler vibe than the front bar which features classic wall panelling, feature lights, patterned floor tiles and plush velvet fabrics on booths, chairs and high stools. 

Together with their client, P & R Design settled on a stripped back vibe where the materials would be left in their raw natural state, including the metal girders and beams which form the skeleton of the old building.  Exposed planks and bare brick set the scene for the industrial raw vibe created by the designers.   Ultimately cool with an urban edge the new venue has at its heart a rustic style drinks bar made from corrugated steel which bears the patina of age and harks back to its once industrial and agricultural use.  

Where the walls of the main part of 33 South Main are decked in classic wall panelling, here distressed wooden planks left in their natural rough state adorn the walls.  Steel metal mesh screens create separate areas and define private spaces while industrial light fittings in brushed metal create pools of ambient lights.  The colour palate in the space mainly comes from the brick, wood and metal finishes while leather upholstery and natural woollen check fabrics on seats and couches provide comfort and softens the overall look.

Where possible the materials used have been salvaged and repurposed, junk yard finds have become precious treasures. Old vintage signs, an old railway station clock and quirky light fittings all add to the look which is as effortlessly elegant as it is rustic.

As part of the overall project another area at the side of the existing Conservatory has also been renovated in order to add an additional 40 seats to the pub.

With its bare brick bones, crinkly tin and exposed pipes to its weathered and battered vintage signs, The Stores Bar & Venue is set to be the coolest new kid on the block.

For more information see www.33southmain.com

press release

‘Decorator to the Stars’ Designed Newbridge Silver Café. Museum of Style Icons, Factory Visit, Shop!

‘Decorator to the Stars’ Designed Newbridge Silver Café. Lots More to see Here !

Museum of Style Icons, Factory Visit, Shop!

The café - pic via Newbridge website

Didn’t know I was going to lunch in a space designed by the “Decorator to the Stars” when I pulled off Exit 12 on the M7 on a recent Sunday, planning to visit the famous Newbridge Silverware facility. 

A vintage piece

After a two hour trip from Cork, the café was our first stop. It sure is a stylish one. Carleton Varney has designed the interiors of landmark buildings from Washington to Japan, and now the world-renowned interior designer has brought his iconic style to Newbridge Silverware.  The ‘Decorator to the Stars’, who is also known in the USA as ‘Mr. Colour’, was commissioned by Newbridge Silverware in 2017 to redesign its restaurant, which is now known as ‘Café Carleton’.

Entrance

The big bright and airy café uses what seem to be the official colours, blue and white, and lots of silver too of course! With a big dinner ahead that evening, I settled for a wrap, a good one too and well priced. They have a huge selection here and the Sunday lunch was very popular. Staff were friendly and absolutely efficient; the place ran like clockwork but with no shortage of smiles. One of the best of its type around, I’d say.

The menu (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea) changes regularly and a board shows a long list of Irish suppliers that they support.

Rose was our welcoming guide on the factory tour and she told us the history of the place as we walked around. Newbridge Cutlery Company was founded in 1934 and is one of Ireland’s oldest surviving companies. It started in a local army barracks and a large order from the army gave it a welcome boost in the early years. 

In the 90s, their cutlery wasn’t cutting it anymore and a decision to start making jewellery proved a wise one. Cutting edge design and acclaimed photo shoots with supermodels such as Sophie Dahl, Yasmin le Bon and Naomi Campbell, enhanced the company’s brand image. RTE newsreader Anne Doyle was one of the first local personalities to wear the jewellery. 

In 2007, the Museum of Style Icons was initiated and Newbridge is now associated with the world of celebrity and fashion. Still a lot of hard work here though, lots of manual stuff going on day after day and it still takes three years to train a cutler.

I won’t bore you with too much detail but terms such as Coining Machine, Linishing Machine, Cross Roller, Coining Machine were all new to me. Then there was Pronging, Vibration, and Clairpols. Hafting was another one, an old cutler’s term for joining a blade to a handle! Antique terms in a very modern company.

Yet a company that seems to inspire great loyalty in its workers, many of whom spend decades here. You’ll see lots of photos around the place of personalities who are nowadays associated with Newbridge but up there too you notice many pictures of valued employees and there’s a long list of workers named as you enter the building.

We saw the result of their hard work in the shop, including in the Christmas shop. Better not say anything about the latter - don’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone!

All in all, we enjoyed our few hours here even if we had been on our feet for most of it. Soon, we were putting them up at the Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort about 20 minutes away at the other side of the motorway. Read my post about the hotel here.

Display detail in the Christmas shop

See also: Museum of Style Icons
Tulfarris Hotel & Golf
Dining at Russborough House