A Quart of Ale± #127. On the craft journey with Brehon, Full Circle, Farringtons, and Outer Place. Plus BeoirFest Special!

 A Quart of Ale± #127

On the craft journey with Brehon, Full Circle, Farringtons, and Outer Place

Brehon Shanco Dubh Porter, 7.7% ABV, 500ml bottle Bradleys

Black, as you know, is the colour of this porter. The coffee coloured head is not for hanging about. And there’s strong chocolate, maybe some roasted malt, drifting up towards your nostrils. 

The taste buds are soon in overdrive, sifting enjoyably through the chocolate flow and, among the sweet stream, picking out hints of wood, blackcurrant perhaps, wet flowers, and resin. Pretty rich stuff but it gets somewhat less sweet, more coffee than chocolate, towards the satisfying finish. 

An amazing porter from a brewery that seems to be at its best when operating on the dark side. More good things to come as the nights grow shorter. And, by coincidence, Brehon just announced on social media that they have something special lined up for this winter.. “..we’ve tasted the first trial and it tastes amazing already and we can't wait to get it on the shelves for you to enjoy!!” Neither can I!

They say: A full bodied Porter with strong notes of dark chocolate roasted malt and liquorice. Hopped with Magnum (German) and Williamette (USA). Best enjoyed slightly chilled, they suggest.

Always a yarn with Brehon brews. Brewer/farmer/drinker Seamus McMahon: “My grandmother always offered this..wisdom. ‘Never marry a man with Duff in his name or address.’ The reason? Chances were that he had poor land…land sure to produce a bad harvest. It’s probably why she ignored the advances of her neighbour from Shanco Dubh with its black hills that never saw the sun rising. At least, that’s what she always said, but maybe she just didn’t fancy him.”

Full Circle Hoop APA, 5.5% ABV, 440ml can Bradleys

Thought this was Irish when I bought it but, no, it comes from Newcastle. Waste not want not, though, even if I can’t include in the rankings of Irish beers. 

It has an inviting golden colour, topped by a foamy white head. Aromas are moderate, pretty much on the citrus side. Crisp and citrusy on the palate where you find a good balance between hops (Cascade and Chinook) and malts. Not bad at all.

Farringtons Bohemian Pils, 4.4% ABV, 440ml can Bradleys

Light gold is the colour of this beer by new Kildare brewery Farringtons. Aromas are slightly spicy with floral, hay and herbal hints there too. The malt makes an impressive entrance on the supple palate, balancing the classic bitterness of the Saaz hops before a crisp and refreshing finish. This is a Pils with a bit of heft and a very impressive debut effort.

Farringtons have been working on it for a while. “We are delighted to be launching our new range of beers. After several months of trialing beers in our pub it’s exciting to finally have our recipes locked down and available in 440ml cans to sell to a wider audience.”

And they have an invite for you. “Join us for a bite in our bar and restaurant. Our chefs specialise in dishes based on seasonal vegetables and herbs grown here on our 40-acre farm.” Might well take them up on that!

Other Farringtons beers include a Pale Ale, an Amber, a NEIPA and a Lager. I have the NEIPA in the queue!

Outer Place Mini Mini Session Disco IPA, 4.4% ABV, 440ml can Bradleys

“Mini Mini Disco is our new Session IPA. Big on aroma and flavour but small in ABV so you can have a few…Soft and juicy and unfiltered..” That is how producers Outer Place introduce this session IPA. 

It has a light orange colour and is indeed cloudy. Aromas are maybe less strong than you’d expect but still quietly complex with tropical, citrus, and floral notes all in a light dank envelope. Dank and tropical also on the soft and pleasant palate and the hop-led finish is decent as well. Confidently and easily fits the bill as sessional.

The hops are the American trio of Columbus, Azacca and Cascade and the other ingredients are water, barely, wheat and yeast. ABV is 4.4 while the IBU count is 27.

 

************************

BeoirFest this coming Saturday!

Brian: "This Saturday I have another great mix of brewers to chat with, including our first Hungarian brewery.

• Dealbreaker is our first ever Hungarian Brewery. A ghost brewery founded by 2 leaders of the Budapest beer scene who are also responsible for Budapest Beer Week.
• Spybrew describe themselves as a secret microbrewery based in Hvidovre, Denmark. They've been brewing since 2014 and this is our opportunity to make them just that little less secret.
• Crooked Spider from The Netherlands are joining us for the second time. Based in Wassenaar they are also a microbrewery founded in 2014, though they upgraded the facilities in 2021.

This is a really interesting mix of brewers with lots of different experiences. It should be a good chat."

Paint and sip at these fun events in Cork

Press release

Paint and sip at these fun events in Cork

Brighten up your evenings this winter at one of the exciting new Paint & Sip events taking place in Cork, in association with Tanqueray gin.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to swap your make-up brushes for paint brushes in your handbag, as all equipment will be provided. And no painting experience is necessary - all you need is to be up for some fun!

On arrival you’ll be treated to an easy on the (painting) palette Tanqueray gin cocktail. To get your creative juices flowing, an artist will be on hand to inspire, support, and advise. You’ll learn lots of tips from getting the best brush strokes, to creating light and depth in your piece. It’s sure to be a fun event as you sip and dip your brush. You might even mix up a masterpiece!

And to capture memories of a great night, you can bring your own unique piece home to display proudly on your walls!

The events are open to everyone over 18 and would make a fun date night, an evening with friends, or a get together with the work gang! And as art is ageless, this would also be the perfect mother-daughter evening.

There are three venues in Cork to choose from: Electric in the city on 3rd November, The Imperial Hotel in the city on the 24th November and The Arches in Mallow on 8th December.

Places are limited so advance purchase of tickets is essential.  You can book your tickets HERE.

Please drink responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie

 

Kinsale Mead Company wins Irish Made Awards Drink of the Year

 Kinsale Mead Company wins 

Irish Made Awards Drink of the Year

Kate Dempsey (right) with
Brid O’Connell

Kate and Denis Dempsey of Kinsale Mead Co. are thrilled and humbled to be awarded Drink of the Year from the Irish Made Awards for their range of Irish Meads.

Kinsale Mead has been honing their mead making craft and spreading the word about their contemporary expression of this delicious drink for 5 years now. Part of the process was a public vote for the finalists and with the rise and rise of premium craft Irish drinks, the competition was stiff. They have gathered a loyal and vocal fan base for their meads and are thankful for their support.

“There’s a certain pressure being Ireland’s first meadery in 200 years to re-create and re-imagine this wonderful drink from our Celtic past,” says Kate Dempsey who was in Dublin to pick up the coveted award. “It’s been a roller coaster ride so it's a lovely boost to get this kind of recognition for the care and hard work we put in to make the world class Irish Meads in Kinsale in West Cork.”

“This win for Kinsale Mead is a celebration of our Irish heritage and craft,” said Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.

Fermented from pure honey and berries, Kinsale Mead is a great gift or a treat drink to share with friends and family at get togethers to set the world to rights. Off Dry and 12% alcohol, it’s fantastic with an Irish cheeseboard or platter of Irish food. The care and passion that Kinsale Mead bring to their drinks is richly rewarded by the evocative fruit flavours and that thirst-quenching pour. Always innovating, they have recently extended their range with a selection of limited edition barrel aged meads.

“We’re celebrating with a glass of autumnal Wild Red Mead made from Wexford blackcurrants, cherries and honey and a slice of toasted barm brack and butter,” said Kate.

This annual event is a wonderful showcase of Irish Made products and the dedicated people who craft them. The supportive and collaborative environment and the obvious passion of the producers for their craft is one to be nurtured and celebrated.

The meads are available in many Supervalus, Celtic Whiskey Shop, Bubble Brothers, McCambridges and many speciality food stores and independent off licences.

A delightful déviation to the cider and poiré of Normandy

A delightful déviation to the cider and poiré of Normandy.

Thanks to a family gift! Some of the family were on holiday in Normandy a month or two ago and came back with cider and poiré bought from two local farmers, a very enjoyable gift indeed! 

Ferme du Bénété Cidre Fermier Demi-sec 5.5%, 750ml 

This farmhouse cider from Normandy has a deep orange colour, a murky one. It has a natural effervescence so be careful when removing the cork (treat it like a champagne and you or anyone close by won’t get a black eye).

It is fresh and amazingly delicious, round and fruity and bubbly and semi-dry.  Yann Borey, selling this at a local market, had nothing but praise for Irish cider but not too many producers here make anything like this beauty.

This  “is our raw farm cider.…”. “This powerful cider, derived from the assembly of 4 of our apple varieties (Bisquet, Clos Renaux, Douce Coet, Marie Ménard), will perfectly accompany your meals. To be served fresh.”

He produces it in Russy, Normandy, at the the Bénété Farm, a farm dedicated to the manufacture of cider products. They are in conversion to organic farming with the end of conversion scheduled for next year.

Pacory “Le Doyen” Poiré Domfront (AOP) 4 ABV%, 750ml 

Outstanding!

A lighter gold colour, fountains of bubbles rising through the clear liquid. Bread-y and fruity in the aromas, some funky notes too. Light bodied and effervescent, round and ample and refreshing, this Perry is a very good one.

They say: “..beverage is 4% alcohol and goes down easily for an everyday treat or mixing in cocktails.  The sweetness is balanced with acidity.  Enjoy!” By the way, poiré has been called the Champagne of Normandy, because of its bubbles and pretty golden colour. The producers say it is the perfect accompaniment to every course from aperitif through to dessert. 

A farmhouse in Normandy

"The Doyen comes from the last manual picking under our century-old white plant pear trees. Harvested and selected fruits can be compared to late harvest, mature pears. The Doyen produced in the tradition of the Gromaux terroir, is a rich pear, charming and complex, inherited from the savoir-faire of our ancestors."

Pear cider (known in France as poiré) has been produced in Normandy for the local markets for hundreds of years.  In the 11th century, pear trees were already planted in Normandy when cider-making apples arrived from Spain, apparently from the Basque country.  Then, in the 1990s, a handful of producers decided to work together to promote poiré and to protect the local landscape.  The Domfront area is home to orchards that are unique in Europe, with more than 100,000 pear trees, close to 100 varieties, and an average annual production of 25,000 tonnes of pears that will go to produce pear cider.  

An AOC was formed in 2002 that protects the quality of the product. AOP/AOC means that production is in accordance with specified criteria and so is a guarantee of both origin and quality. They only use specified varieties of poiré pears, among them the “Plant de Blanc” that gives Poiré Domfront AOP its particular character and the fruit is collected at maturity after falling from the tree rather than being picked.

Links to explore:

Domfront AOP: https://poire-domfront.fr/en/

Cider route: https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/the-cider-route/

Tronquay Poiré Bouché Fermier Michel Renee, 4% ABV

Michel Renee is based at Tronquay in Normandy, close to Bayeux and its famous tapestry, also close to the D-Day laying beaches. Here he makes everything from plain juice to Calvados from his apples and, from pears, produces this Poiré. The cellar is located in the heart of the Calvados de Normandie appellation area and his parents have always grown apple trees here. 

This cider pours a light straw with a big white head that doesn’t last kissing time.  It is a bit on the hazy side but not so much that you don’t see the fountains of small bubbles crowd towards the top. Aromas are of the orchard. And the palate is a thing of beauty, a gorgeous burst of flavour from the fruit warmed by the summer sun, the finish quite dry and refreshing. 

Tronquay “Terre Mer” Cidre Bouché Fermier Cuvée Portaise  Michel Renee, 4% ABV

This farmhouse cider from Normandy has a mid gold orange colour. It is clear so you can see the many bubbles rising. Again the flavour is full and typical, the finish refreshing and dry. Another fine example of the craft in these parts.

Tronquay Cidre Bouché Fermier Brut Michel Renee, 4.5% ABV

Lovely gold colour in this one and streams of bubbles rising up. Aromas probably more apple-y than the previous one, the Terre Mer. No shortage of flavour here either but this is classed as brut and the fact that it is very dry tones down the flavour a bit. But, on a hot day, after a bout of physical work or play, this is the one you’ll reach for.

Cidre Bouché ("cider with a cork") is made entirely from apple juice. A maceration before pressing removes bitter tannins. A still cider is placed in a Champagne-style bottle and a second fermentation is initiated to add natural sparkle. Other styles may add carbon dioxide to create the fizz. - from Wine Searcher. All my six bottles came with a champagne style cork but not all were marked Bouché.

Top Families. Top Wines. From Torres and Hugel.

Top Families. Top Wines. 

From Torres and Hugel.

Torres, a Spanish family, dedicated to wine for five generations and the Hugel family, that started making wine in the Alsace in 1639, produced our two excellent wines today.

Torres Altos Ibéricos Rioja Crianza (DOC) 2018, 14% ABV

While Torres is synonymous with wine in Spain, it was only in 2005 that they first purchased land in Rioja. This wine, first produced in 2007, is 100% Tempranillo and has spent 12 months in French and American oak. It bears the red crianza sticker (see below).

Not surprisingly, it is regarded as a modern interpretation of Tempranillo. Its amicable aromas, intense and fragrant, draw you in, more so than its 20th century counterparts.

Yours truly with
Miguel Torres.

That “lighter touch” continues on the well-rounded palate, where soft red fruits and sweet spices combine smoothly with the effects of its time in oak. The finish is long with a light spicy aftertaste. Very Highly Recommended.

The Tempranillo grape is Spain’s top variety. Best known for its Rioja expressions but grown in many regions of the country. Older Tempranillo goes well with the likes of steaks and burgers while fresher styles like this are best matched with “baked pasta and other tomato based dishes” according to Wine Folly.

Rioja red wine stickers:

The green label (cosecha) indicates less than one year in oak, less than one in bottle.

The red label (crianza) indicates 1 year in oak, 1 in bottle.

The burgundy (reserva) indicates 1 year in oak, 2 in bottle.

The royal blue (gran reserva) indicates 2 years in oak, three years in bottle.

• This Rioja was a gift. The wine, imported by Findlaters (as is the Gentil), is widely available, including at Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork for €14.95.

*********

************************************************

Top Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 

************************************************

Hugel Gentil Alsace (AOC) 2020, 13% ABV, €14.95 Bradleys.

Pale yellow with green tints is what you see in the glass. There are attractive aromas (including fruit, citrus and peaches, and floral elements). On the palate, it has a soft and supple feel, is full of flavour, dry and absolutely refreshing, with a great finalé. 

Lots of attractive features yet it is very versatile at the table, doesn’t overpower your food. Natalie MacClean recommends seared scallops, sushi, vegetables, herbed chicken, pork dishes, excellent too as an aperitif says our retailer Michael of Bradley’s. Very Highly Recommended.

Gentil is an Alsace tradition, made from all the white grapes of the estate. And it is done carefully, to a very high and controlled official standard.

It is Hugel’s only blend, dry and the ideal introduction to Alsace wines. It combines the elegance of Riesling, the richness of Pinot Gris, the fruitiness of Gewürztraminer and Muscat with the freshness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. They are all here: “All the Alsace grapes in one glass”.

I’ve been very partial to Gentil in general for quite a few years now (the Hugel one is on sale in Bradley’s). I met Jean Frédéric Hugel in Cork a few years back and he told me it is their best seller. “It is produced from six different grapes. These are blended after the wine-making stage to balance it better. It is super versatile and works well by the glass in restaurants.” I thought that was interesting as I cannot recall seeing it offered around this area. Maybe there’s an opening there - it is delicious and, as Jean Frédéric said, super versatile.

Other Gentils available locally include Meyer-Fonné and Trimbach.

Hugel & Fils, founded in 1639 in picturesque Riquewihr, Alsace, France, is still 100% family owned and managed by the 12th consecutive generation of the family.

Alsace enjoyed a very good year in 2020, so much so that “No late harvest wines were produced due to the ‘too good’ sanitary conditions which forbid the development of botrytis. “A cool and long growing season gives this unique dry wine great finesse and unequalled drinkability.” And that is well confirmed by this bottle, by the way, closed with DIAM “the cork without the risk of cork taint”.

• More here on DIAM closures.

************************************************

Best Value Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 

************************************************

SuperValu celebrates talented up-and-coming food producers with Taste of Local campaign

 press release

SuperValu celebrates talented up-and-coming food producers with Taste of Local campaign

Thanks Plants

Five products to hit the shelves across all stores on Thursday as part of wider commitment to growing Irish food industry

Five small Irish food producers have been selected for national distribution in over 150 SuperValu stores from this Thursday October 13^th, as part of the retailer’s innovative Taste of Local initiative.

Taste of Local is just one part of SuperValu’s long-standing commitments to Irish food and drink producers. Stocked in store 52 weeks of the year, the range is made up of Food Academy participants and hyperlocal products.

Irish Hedgerow

The five companies chosen as Guest Stars for nationwide distribution this year are:

• Thanks Plants, Co. Dublin
• Le Paysan, Co. Wicklow
• Roll It Pastry, Co. Meath
• Irish Hedgerow, Co. Tipperary
• My Apricot Kitchen, Co. Dublin

The Guest Star food and drink producers each bring something unique to the industry. They were chosen for nationwide distribution based on their success in the Food Academy programme. In recent years, there has been a huge emphasis on supporting Irish, with a study from SuperValu earlier this year revealing the vast majority (89%) of Irish people believe buying local products can help the environment.

Commenting on the nationwide launch of the five Guest Stars’ products, Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager, SuperValu, said:

“Supporting local Irish producers is at the heart of SuperValu’s ethos. We have Taste of Local products in all our stores, year-round and we are really excited for the five Guest Stars’ producers to go nationwide from October 13^th.

Le Paysan

The journey to get themselves on the shelves has been one of hard work and passion by the business owners. The growth they have demonstrated during the Food Academy programme has been inspiring and we at SuperValu are thrilled to be a part of their stories of growth and success.”

Food Academy is a unique food business development programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices. The programme provides invaluable guidance to small producers on supply chain, marketing, costing and other essential business knowledge and is exclusively for Irish producers. 

 

My Apricot Kitchen

The Food Academy programme supports 1,500 jobs in local communities nationwide with a survey of Food Academy members finding that 98% of participants feel that Food Academy has been “very beneficial” to developing their business, and 85% of participants expect to employ new staff over the next 12 months.

 

For more information on Food Academy visit https://SuperValu.ie/real-people/food-academy-programme.

This year’s five Taste of Local Guest Star Hero Products are available at over 150 SuperValu stores nationwide from October 13^th until November 2^nd.

 

Roll It Pastry

Taste of the Week. Woodside Farm Hot Food At Farmers Markets Stall

Taste of the Week

Woodside Farm Burgers & Baps

GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP EXTENDED WITH ECLECTIC MIX OF ACTS & EVENTS ANNOUNCED

 GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP EXTENDED WITH ECLECTIC MIX OF ACTS & EVENTS ANNOUNCED

“WE GOT THE JAZZ”, THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED DEBUT OF CHUCK STEWARTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION WILL BE LAUNCHED BY STEWARTS FAMILY

 

Organisers of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival have just announced a host of additional acts and events taking place across Cork City this October Bank Holiday Weekend.

 

Not just a Cork first, but a world first, Chuck Stewart’s photography collection has been carefully curated over the last four years to debut at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The “We Got the Jazz” photography exhibition showcases work of the African American fine art photographer, who is renowned as the most important music photographer of the twentieth century.  It will be free to see from 11am-5pm Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday & Monday. Each evening there will be an immersive ticketed experience that people are invited to attend with special performances from harpist Brandee Younger, in Corks oldest church – St Peter’s Church. Chuck’s family will be in attendance to launch the exhibition. Tickets available here.

 

Also just announced is the exciting addition of ‘The Jazz Boat’ with the music of Jerron ‘Blindboy’ Paxton. The 32-year-old blues, jigs, reels and ragtime world-sensation hails from Compton, Los Angeles and will be the star of this boat tour. Sailing through the scenic sights of Cork Harbour & with only 70 tickets available, spots are sure to sell out fast. Limited number of tickets available here.

 

Three new events have been announced for Live at St Luke’s, a unique venue that was a former church:  

• 

  Andy Sheppard

  The opening show triple header will be a melting pot of the most exciting and experimental voices in hip-hop, jazz and neo-soul right now as Cork local Jarjarjr presents Soul Service with Kassa Overall, Bricknasty & The Sam Healy Quartet. Jarjarir, aka Robert O’Halloran, is a cult figure for beat making and hip hop and his jazz band are renowned as some of the best young jazz musicians in Cork.  Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer and drummer, a product of New York City’s jazz scene who melds avant-garde experimentation with hop-hop production techniques.  Performing with Kassa is Tomoki Sanders, the late Phaorah Sanders' son.  Phaorah will feature in the Chuck Stewart exhibit.  Bricknasty from Ballymun is becoming one of the most talked about live acts in Ireland for his combination of R&B, hip-hop and anarchic music.  Tickets on sale.
• Triple header Omar X Zaska X Jeru the Damaja perform on Friday 28^th at 7.30pm.  Singer/songwriter/producer Omar is known by many as the father of British neo-soul, and Stevie Wonder is one of his many fans.  Performing his new album which is going to be released the week before the festival, Zaska is sure to appeal to the younger crowd with his feel-good blend of neo-soul, modern funk and indie jazz.  Zaska was a collaborator with Hozier and is a musical director for Mas Exodus, and will also play live backing for OMAR & hip hop legend Jeru, which is a first and a real moment for jazz.  Tickets on sale.
• Cooks but We’re Chefs is a Saturday afternoon matinee of funk, hip-hop, jazz and soul, open to families and children. This group are getting plaudits internationally and the festival can’t wait to showcase the collective.  Tickets on sale.

  

  Booka Brass

  
  

Two new acts have been announced at Triskel:

• Andy Sheppard East Coast will perform on Sun 30 Oct at 8pm.  An ECM recording artist and composer, Andy Sheppard is one of Europe’s leading saxophonists.  Sheppard will be joined by three of the most innovative instrumentalists at work today: John Parricelli on guitars, Dudley Philips on double bass and Mário Costa on drums. 
• Amaro Freitas will perform on Sat 29 Oct at 2pm.  From the slums of Recife in Brazil's North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has gained international attention for “an approach to the keyboard so unique that it’s startling” (Downbeat). Amaro takes centre stage in Cork to bring the excitement and energy of his art to the festival. Tickets on sale.

Other must-see acts this bank holiday weekend include:

 

1.  Jazzanova: Only a handful of shows this year, the debut show of the Everyman Line-up sees the strata record from Detroit reimagined with the blessing of families. Tickets on sale.

2. Toshín as Aretha: Performing as Aretha Franklin, Toshín recently sold out The Sugar Club in Dublin, this much-loved female Irish soul/RnB artist is taking the world by storm and sure to deliver a show stopping tribute to her musical hero. Tickets on sale.

 

3. Mas Exodus + Omar and Jeru: Funded in part by Catherine Martin and the Department of Culture, Mas Exodus + Omar and Jeru is a collection of musicians that were put together during Covid by Festival Director Mark Murphy. An exciting collision of house, jazz, soul and afro styles this team will be in residence for the weekend and sure to deliver standing ovations. Tickets on sale.

4. Laufey: An Icelandic/American/Asian woman, she recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel. A nod to old style jazz but with a modern take she is sure to fill out seats for her one and only show on Sunday night. Tickets on sale.

 

5. Booka Brass Band: Taking to the stage at the Cork Opera House, playing their unique brand of New Orleans inspired urban brass with upbeat sets, the sell-out group, supported by Bricknasty, are sure to bring the festival atmosphere for the bank holiday weekend. Tickets on sale.

Aoife Doyle

Festival goers can optimise their festival experience and make sure to hit the best music venues by checking out the mapped Guinness Music Trail which offers music to suit every appetite. Revellers will discover everything from ska to swing and jazz to brass as the trail leads you to more than 60 venues across Cork City, Douglas and Kinsale hosting an impressive array of jazz acts from across Ireland and beyond.

 

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Failte Ireland and Cork City Council. For full event information check out www.guinnnesscorkjazz.com

press release