On the craft trail with a smoky porter and a hoppy micro, thanks to Kinnegar and Whiplash.

On the craft trail with a smoky porter and a hoppy micro, thanks to Kinnegar and Whiplash.

Kinnegar Smoked Maple Porter, 4.2% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Kinnegar had to "poke around" quite a bit before finding the malt combo that gave them the right amount of smokeiness   “to ensure a caracterful yet very easy drinking beer”. 

You’ll come across that smokiness, think of sweet smoked bacon, in the aromas, and it shows too on the palate. They have added “a strand of maple syrup… to round out the flavour and enrich the drinking experience!” The Maple Syrup’s cameo is just that. By the way, the herbaceous Fenugreek (sometimes used to flavour cheese) and Maple are listed in the ingredients.

An easy drinker then that weighs in at 4.2% ABV. Highly Recommended but you’d better like your smoky bacon. I’d be surprised to see this make the jump from the Brewers at Play series to their core beer line-up.

The porter pairs well with glazed ham, bacon, and Belgian waffles and the Full Irish of course, the one with two of everything (especially, and essentially, rashers!)

Whiplash Northern Lights Micro IPA, 2.8% ABV, 440 ml can No 21 Cork

This hazy IPA from Whiplash comes in a light gold colour with a foamy short-lived head. It may well be micro in terms of ABV but nothing shy about the hops, both in the aromas and on the palate. There’s a full-on blast of citrussy fruits thanks to the generous input of Vic Secret and Mosaic hops. Big on flavour, low on alcohol, an excellent beer and ideal for a session. Highly Recommended.

The introduction of  ‘Micro IPA’ was “one of our proudest moments of 2018”, according to the brewery. “When we dropped Northern Lights at Hop City last April we thought we’d be crucified for bringing a knife to a gun fight of 10%+ IPAs. Instead, people came to us and said this stuff is rocking, fun, and accommodating of the sesh. We thought so too. So much was the fun of drinking our 2.8% hop bomb over those weeks that we decided, fuck it, let’s keep this beer on year round. That July we rolled out Northern Lights as a year round offering and man it’s fun to have around.”

On the craft trail with Kinnegar and The White Hag

On the craft trail with Kinnegar 

and The White Hag

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The White Hag Little Fawn IPA 4.2% ABV, 400 ml can Bradleys

White Hag certainly hit the mark. Again!

I have encountered Little Fawn quite a bit over the last few years in pubs and restaurants across the country, and I am always glad to see it. I appreciate any White Hag beer available in a pub or restaurant. Its widespread availability affirms its status as a classic Indian Pale Ale, and its lower-than-usual ABV makes it an excellent go-to session beer.

 

Little Fawn has a sessionable ABV of 4.2% and features grapefruit aromas balanced with 100% Irish malt. It is clean and fruity, thanks to the Mosaic hops, but not overly hoppy due to its mild lingering finish. As they describe it, it’s “an easy-to-drink American-style session IPA” that is a great option to start with at any time.

 

The White Hag is rightly proud of its modern independent craft brewery located in Sligo, along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. They state, “We brew innovative and groundbreaking beers, inspired by ancient and classic styles.”

 

With Little Fawn, they certainly hit the mark—it’s an easy-to-drink American-style session IPA, brewed with 100% Irish malt for a pale, very clean base.

Kinnegar Black Bucket Black Rye IPA, 6.5% ABV, 440 ml can, O’Briens

A twist on the traditional IPA style

This beer is Kinnegar's twist on the traditional IPA style. It balances dark maltiness and hoppy bitterness, resulting in a unique blend and an attractive IPA.

 

On first glance, you think you’ve got a stout in the glass, but a closer inspection will reveal quite a lot of brown under the coffee-coloured head. On the palate, the fresh American hop flavours are balanced by the sweet roasted malt, and there’s a spicy hint of rye.

A Gold Medal at the World Beer Cup 2022, it is one of Kinnegar's impressive core beers. The company call it “the bigger, darker brother to our Rustbucket Rye.” This full-bodied and complex black beer, with its distinctive, rich flavour profile,  is available all year round. The Rustbucket, by the way, is an “old reliable”, well into its second decade now.

On the Craft Trail with Elbow Lane Lager and Kinnegar Kölsch-style Pale Ale.

On the Craft Trail with Elbow Lane Lager and Kinnegar Kölsch-style Pale Ale.

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Elbow Lane Elbow Lager 4.4% ABV

Quality and taste are paramount to us

Classic in. Classic out. And the top judges agree. They made this Cork beer a winner in the World Drinks Awards 2024. This Cork beer is crafted using traditional ingredients, including Pilsner and Munich malts, along with Noble hop varieties sourced from Germany and Czechia—two countries celebrated for their exceptional lagers.

This continental-style lager is particularly refreshing and bursting with flavour, thanks to the carefully selected malts and hops. It pairs well with most lighter dishes and is a delightful choice for beer enthusiasts. Very Highly Recommended.

For the best experience, enjoy it at one of our locations, as Elbow Lane beers are specifically brewed to complement the cuisine offered at our five restaurants: Market Lane, Goldie’s, ORSO, Castle Cafe (Blackrock), and Elbow Lane. For an enhanced experience, consider joining a Tutored Tasting at Elbow Lane. Details can be found here.

They say: “We’re really proud of the beers we make in our tiny brewery. There are no additives, and we proudly brew according to the principles of the German Purity Law, which means we use four ingredients to make our beer. Quality and taste are paramount to us.…”

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See expanding list of our favourite 2025 beers here

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Kinnegar Limeburner Kölsch-style Pale Ale, 4.7% ABV, 440 ml can, O’Briens

One of Kinnegar’s first beers and still going strong

It has a lovely light gold colour with a slight haze, and you can see the bubbles rising. The aroma is floral and hoppy. On the palate, it's crisp and refreshing, finishing with a pleasant hoppy note that is not overly intense. It is easy to drink and definitely worth noting if you haven't tried it yet. One of their first beers and still going strong as part of their core range.

It is unfiltered and naturally carbonated. Well-balanced and easy to enjoy this one! “Kölsch Style” means it’s inspired by the eponymous beer originating in Cologne (Köln), Germany. Like lager, Kölsch is a top-fermenting beer.

The Kinnegar version is an ideal introductory craft beer with characteristics similar to those in quality German lagers. As they point out themselves, Limeburner is an enduring favourite for many. It is light, crisp, and refreshing, with a hoppy accent at the end. It is excellent with food, particularly fish.

Brewer Cormac returns to Dungarvan. On the craft trail with Kinnegar and Dungarvan Brewing.

On the craft trail with 9 White Deer, Kinnegar and Dungarvan Brewing.

Brewer Cormac returns to Dungarvan

Good news from Dungarvan Brewing where Cormac (left) has returned to the brewery as Head Brewer and Customer Relationship Manager.

Cormac: “I'm thrilled to be back to join such a passionate and dynamic team. The commitment to quality and community is something that really resonates with me, and I’m eager to help bring our craft beer to even more people. I look forward to brewing new & innovative beers with the team, whilst also respecting the core range of beers people have grown to love over the years. Working closely with our customers to ensure the best possible experiences – Now, that’s something that excites me!”

Kinnegar Devil’s Backbone, Amber Ale, 4.9% ABV, 440 ml can, Bradleys

refreshing hoppy backbone

Amber / Red is the style on the website, amber on the can. Kinnegar themselves: ”A refreshing contemporary take on a traditional Irish red. Versatile with food and equally enjoyable on its own.” And the important bit to confirm its that it is indeed very enjoyable.

My first “meeting” with the Devil’s Backbone was back in 2013 at a The Cove Restaurant in Port na Blagh (near Dunfannahy, County Donegal). It certainly impressed that night as indeed did the other Kinnegar beers that were on sale there, confirming its versitality with food, all going on to become core beers.

It is still an impressive beer. First sip introduces you to its refreshing hoppy backbone and you realise this is a serious drink, pretty robust too, a full-bodied and full-flavoured drink you can’t ignore. A very satisfying bitterness as well (hops are a mix of European and American) and then there’s a lip-smacking dry finish to boot.

Dungarvan Comeragh Challenger Session PA, 3.8% ABV, 500 ml bottle

Floral, light… easy-drinking.

Light and easy drinking, yes, but this Comeragh Challenger has strong flavours as well, the balance provided by the moderate bittering. Challenger hops, all on its own, has indeed given this lovely session beer quite a bit of character. 

This delicate and understated English-style Pale Ale, brewed exclusively with Challenger hops, is ideal for barbeques. At just 3.8%, it’s a sessionable beer, perfect for a session or any occasion where you want a lighter, easy-drinking option.  It is also certified gluten-free and deeply refreshing. Highly Recommended. It is best served at a lower temperature, from 8-12°C.

Beer of the Week. Kinnegar Black Rabbit Black Lager, set to "bring the house down".

Kinnegar Black Rabbit Black Lager 4.5% ABV 

440 ml can Bradleys 

Black Rabbit is really going to bring the house down!

It’s black, and the head, coffee-like, builds up like a stout. The guys at Kinnegar admit to taking some delight in messing your head. Explore a little further, sniff and taste, and you slowly begin to realise you have a black lager in your glass.

It takes a few sups, though, as this hybrid's flavours, mostly the roasted flavours of a traditional Irish stout, keep you puzzled. Hybrid because the Donegal tinkerers fermented this with lager yeast. Along with the clean and crisp character expected of a lager, the roasted malts deliver notes of coffee and cocoa. It finishes light and refreshing, like a lager. It is like very little that you have tasted before. This is quite a mould breaker and Very Highly Recommended.

Not surprisingly, the Kinnegar rabbits are hopping all over the place, declaring: “You’ll love it from the can, but just wait until you try the nitro version, …. on draught ..… …Black Rabbit is really going to bring the house down!”

The light body makes this an easily drinkable choice. It's perfect for those looking to explore the darker side of craft beer without the heaviness of a stout. It didn't take long to work its way into a favourite position here!

See the full 2024 Beer of the Week listing here

An enduring favourite for many. Kinnegar Limeburner is our Beer of the Week!

Kinnegar Limeburner Kölsch Style Pale Ale, 4.7% ABV, 440 ml can Lidl

An enduring favourite for many

Kinnegar’s Limeburner has stood the test of time, even if “Kölsch Style” is a late addition (but accurate) to the label. It comes in a slightly hazy gold colour, the bubbles shimmying

On the craft trail with Kinnegar, Hope and Killarney

On the craft trail with Kinnegar, Hope and Killarney

Kinnegar Wee Bunny Session IPA 4.0% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Wee Bunny, up for a session, joins his older and bigger siblings in Kinnegar family

The Wee Bunny has a bright straw colour under his soft white head, with the bubbles rising through a medium haze. A punchy Citrus kick on the palate follows Citrus aromas, as the American hops show their character. Quite a pleasant surprise, that is

Beer of the Week. Kinnegar’s mixed 4-pack. Cold IPA. Pale Ale. Pilsner. Raspberry Grisette

Beer of the Week. Kinnegar’s mixed 4-pack. 

Cold IPA. Pale Ale. Pilsner. Raspberry Grisette 

Donegal’s Kinnegar has just launched their summer adventure into 4-pack territory and this very convenient format is out there to be enjoyed. “Look forward to a refreshing journey through these four great beer styles. We don't often indulge in tasting notes but this time we set Sean the task of putting the experience in words.”

Cold IPA 5.3%, 400 ml can Bradleys

Colour of this Cold IPA, a once-off by Kinnegar and part of their new 4-pack this summer, is a light gold with bubbles galore racing to the soft white head. Peach, apricot and grapefruit feature in this light hoppy beer with a very refreshing finish indeed.

Kinnegar report it as a big success.  “Can’t you make it part of the core range?” they’ve been asked.

Wondering what a Cold IPA is? I was. It is an IPA fermented at lower temperatures than what is normally used to ferment an ale. Brewers often use a lager yeast or a combination of a lager and an ale yeast. Kinnegar: “Another riff on a tune we’ve been playing with for the past year. Practice makes perfect.”

Hazy Pale Ale,4.5%, 440 ml can Bradleys

This session pale is light straw and cloudy. The American hops have endowed Kinnegar’s latest iteration of this quaffable popular style with quite a backbone of tropical fruit, citrus and pine and just a moderate bitterness. Refreshing as expected and ideal for a session.

Sean’s verdict: “Juicy, sweet fruit, high drinkability. An indispensable summer companion. One will not be enough.”

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See updated Beer of the Week index here

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Pilsner, 5% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

This latest lager from Donegal is straw-coloured with a soft white head and tons of bubbles rising. Much like the craft lagers we know in this part of the world but with a hoppy punch. A touch of lime runs through it to the refreshing finalé. Well worth a try and another excellent can in the 4-pack.

They say: An old-world style with new-world flair courtesy of its distinctive New Zealand hop profile. 

Sean’s verdict: Citrus (lime), grape, clean bitterness

Raspberry Grisette, 3.8% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Grisettes are refreshing, low-alcohol beers with origins in the Hainaut province of Belgium. They are crisp, medium/light-bodied, citrusy beers—brewed to be endlessly approachable. It is also supposed to be a summer beer. I’ve waited long enough for summer, so here goes.

Our Raspberry Grisette from Kinnegar has an orange colour with a short-lived white head and lots of micro-bubbles. It is crisp and dry with a fruity tang from the raspberries. I reckon loganberries would have given it a real kick-ass tang. As it is, this is a very refreshing low alcohol beer indeed. Recommended pairing: with a summer’s day if you can find one in 2024. Preferably outdoors.

Sean’s verdict: Crisp, dry, citrus, raspberry. Sean doesn’t waste words.