RESTAURANTS AND FOOD

Session: Third Barrel Day Drinking Part Deux Citra Strata; Kinnegar Brewers at Play #24 Summer Ale; Lough Gill Mo Chara Hazy Seisiún; Boundary Love is Here Hoppy Table Beer Pale Ale; Boundary Trees We Didn’t Plant Pale Ale; Blacks The Session Pink Grapefruit IPA; Porterhouse Sundown Session IPA; Session: Whitefield Brewery “Woodville” Session Pale Ale 4.3%. No shortage of choice here. We are inclined to go for Whiplash Rollover but none of the others here will let you down.

Red Ale: Galway Bay Bay Ale Red Ale; Sullivan’s Maltings Irish Ale; Clonakilty Foxy Red Ale; Cotton Ball Red Velvet.

Gose: Lough Gill Wild Irish Gose; Kinnegar Brewers at Play 23 Mango Gose; Dot Brew When the Going Gets Gose;

Stout: Lynch’s Stout by the Cotton Ball; West Cork Stout X Stout West.

Brown Ale: Lineman Big Calm; Whiplash Smoke Stack Lightnin’ Oaked & Smoked

Marzen: Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2022 Marzen

Porter:Brehon Shanco Dubh Porter

Oatmeal IPA: Galway Bay Goodbye Blue Monday

Kolsch: Rye River (collab. with Old Street) Die Hundstage Köter Kölsch

Hopfenweisse: Wicklow Wolf Jeff Bezos

Weizenbock: Whitefield The Viscount Weizenbock 7.5%

Black IPA: Rascals Rude Girl Black IPA

BA Stout: Bradleys & Dot Brew Shady Dealings

Milk Stout: Trouble Brewing Nocturne Milk Stout

Smoked Porter: Whitefield Old Smoke Smoked Porter;

Bitter: West Cork Baltimore Bitter

Barleywine: Brehon Brewhouse Red Right Hand Barley Wine Beer

Brewery of the Year: Wicklow Wolf

Cider Corner

Cider: Cockagee Irish Keeved Cider 5% Simply outstanding

Ciders to note: Killahora Bottle Conditioned Dry Bittersweet Cider 2019, 5.9%, 750ml (champagne style) bottle; Longueville House Cider 5.9%; Longways Medium Sweet Elderflower Cider.

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Craft on Draught:

The Maritime, Bantry: 9 White Deer Kölsch

The Lake, Killarney: Ale and Lager by Killarney Brewing Co.

Merry’s, Dungarvan: Wicklow Wolf Ale and more

The Shelbourne, Cork: Beamish and more

The Cotton Ball, Cork: Lynch’s Stout, Indian summer and more

Mellet’s Emporium, Swinford: Reel Deel Jack the Lad, Mescan Seven Virtues Lager.

Keenan’s, Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon: White Hag Little Fawn; Kinnegar’s Scraggy Bay.

Finín’s Midleton: Black’s KPA

Franciscan Well: Original 7 Weisse and more

Elbow Lane: Angel Stout and more

The Mad Monk by Quinlan’s, Killarney: Killarney’s Casey Brothers Extra Stout and Golden Spear Blonde

Castlerosse Hotel Bar, Killarney: Killarney’s Golden Spear Blonde

Celtic Whiskey & Larder, Killarney: Tom Crean St Brigid’s Lager and Rascals Black Horse Stout 4.4% and more

Café Pigalle Cork: White Hag’s Atlantean NEIPA (also White Hag lager)

Blairs Inn Cloghroe, Co. Cork: 9 White Deer Stout and Kolsch

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Killarney’s Friendly Earls Court House Hotel

Killarney’s Friendly Earls Court House Hotel

It was raining when we arrived at our Killarney hotel but soon there was a warm cheering welcome from the receptionist.

Didn’t know much about Earls Court Hotel when we booked it for an overnight stay. But it was close to the town centre and also close to the venue for a family wedding.

Breakfast

Our room was quite spacious and looked well maintained if a bit old-fashioned. But it has everything we needed, including a very comfortable bed indeed. It had all the mod cons too. Tea-making facilities, a safe and so on. The bathroom - it had a bath - was also well equipped right down to face cloths that many modern hotels no longer supply. And truth be told, we rather liked the old-fashioned decor.

There was a large TV screen as well, comfortable chairs and a fine space if you wanted to do a bit of work on the computer. Oh yes, they are very well up to date. The WiFi is excellent. The key card also worked extremely well, not just at the bedroom room but also at the hotel door when we came back rather late from the wedding, too late to enjoy a drink in their own residents bar - but we’d had enough in any case!

Our friendly receptionist called a taxi to take us to the wedding venue and also gave us a quick demo on how to use the key card to open the main door. We enjoyed the short trip with our driver who works for Euro Taxis and they may be contacted at 087 2923896. For the return, we used Killarney Cabs (they have a free phone on the desk at The Killarney Oak and may be contacted also at 064 66 37 444). They came promptly and again we had a quite a chat as we returned to the Earls Court.

Bedroom

“We offer you rooms and suites with distinctive character and style, with an abundance of space, traditional charm and all modern comforts. All rooms are designed so that you are ready to start each day refreshed and excited to explore Killarney and the magical Kingdom of Kerry.”

The Earls Court has quite a selection of rooms: a Deluxe King Room; Four Poster Suites with Jacuzzi; Deluxe Balcony Rooms; Deluxe Triple Rooms; Deluxe Family Rooms and more.

That residents bar is brand new (and has an outdoor patio area) with a selection of wines, spirits, draft beers and minerals available to all residents and is open until 11.30 pm daily. Served until early evening, guests can enjoy a light evening snack of freshly made-to-order sandwiches with tea, coffee, or a bottle of wine at the day's end. They don’t do dinner here but have recommendations for you!•

Other facilities include:

Elevator to all floors

Free off-street parking

Two relaxing lounge areas for guest use.

Disabled accessible facilities

American 110v power sockets and European 2 pin power sockets in deluxe king rooms and suites

Drying room for golf and outdoor enthusiasts

Library and game facilities (available in the green lounge).

After a good night’s sleep, we headed down to breakfast, delighted to find the same friendliness and efficiency in the large room, nicely divided into small sections by timber dividers. A stags head stared down from above the fireplace (no need to light it up, yet!) as we picked from the menu. A visitor was heard to remark that the food looked lovely and fresh and was told that they support local produce and that everything is cooked from scratch.

We helped ourselves to juice and cereals from the buffet before tucking into the Special of the Day which was Eggs Benedict. We had a choice of a Refreshing Salad, other egg dishes and variations on the Full Irish theme. Very happy with our eggs though and finished off with a slice of delicious fruit cake before saying goodbye to the lovely crew here.

Comfy

Soon we were packed and heading to the car (it was raining again) in the spacious car park here, promising ourselves that we’d return to the friendly and comfortable hotel, ideal for exploring the Kingdom of Kerry.

More hotel info here on their website.

As it happens there are quite a few excellent hotels on the Muckross Road in Killarney and in recent years we have enjoyed stays at Cahernane House, The Lake, Dromhall and Randles, and The Brehon.

Breakfast read. Table mat

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

CorkBillyBeers #1. Craft journey with Third Barrel, Bradleys, Whiplash, Black Donkey, West Cork Brewing

CorkBillyBeers #1

Craft journey with a mix: Third Barrel, Whiplash, Black Donkey, West Cork Brewing

Today, we start a new series and will be trying to get beers from all over the country, including from small breweries who may not be able to produce specials every week, so lots of core beers to be included.

Some weeks, the focus may be on one brewery, another week may concentrate on a style - I have one on stout coming up. Again, it will be mostly Irish beer but I will throw in a "visitor" from time to time!

Just let me know your stockist(s) in Cork where I can buy them. I know some of you have terrific boxes for sale online but I don't need six or twelve of the same beer. As a regular blogger, I need six or twelve different beers!

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Third Barrel Electric Eyes Idaho & El Dorado IPA, 5.6% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Volatile thiols are highly impactful aroma compounds that evoke grapefruit, passion fruit, and guava and are found in a variety of tropical fruits, wine grapes, and hops, according to a producer.

Here, Electric Eyes “has been fermented with a thiol boosting yeast, from our friends in WHC Lab in Wicklow, which produces savage esters of tropical fruits (Pineapple and Mango). On top of this, we loaded it with a stupid amounts of Idaho 7 and El Dorado hops, all wrapped up in a sessionable 5.6% abv.”

Since the hops used also produce exotic results, including pineapple from Idaho and tropical from El Dorada, we have a good idea of what to expect!

This one is hazy and certainly juicy and, as they say themselves, “pops with aromas of pineapple and citrus”. And so it continues on the juicy palate. But, for all the boosting yeast and the particular hops used, there is a certain balance and the fruity side, while certainly prominent (pleasingly so), is not at all over the top. And that’s the way I like it!

Geek Bits

Hops: Idaho 7 and El Dorado (both USA)

Plato – 13.56

Available in 24 x 440ml cans and 30l Key Keg

Very Highly Recommended

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Whiplash Alma Witbier 5.0%, 440 ml can Bradleys

Very engaging, on the light side, full of flavour and totally drinkable. My immediate verdict on a second “reading” (after a six months absence), of the Whiplash Alma Witbier.

Bright fresh lemon peel, tangerine, white wine, limes, white pepper and a hint of clove dominate the initial aroma while the body and flavour is airy, silky, fluffy, gently sweet and reassuringly citrus forward.

A Belgian style beer from Whiplash, a Witbier. Amarillo is the main hop and it is used in the dry hop while the other two, Nelson Sauvin (gooseberry, Grape, passion fruit) and Motueka (tropical, lime, lemon), both from New Zealand, are small additions to the brew at the whirlpool stage. Just before finishing they add fresh lemon zest to the tank, “electrifying the whole affair and transforming this Wit into something extremely special.”

Colour is a light orange, hazy for sure. Aromas are zesty as is the first impression on the palate. The lovely and lively lemony zestiness continues strongly on the palate, with peach and pine there also.

Whiplash say they “always approach our Belgian style beers in a less than traditional way” and the divergence continues throughout, though you may find little hints of clove in the aromas and at the end. Something different, something special as they say themselves.

Geek Bits

ABV 5.0%

440ml Cans & draught

Artwork by @sophie_devere

Pilsner Malt

Wheat Malt

Amarillo

Lemon Zest

WLP550 (yeast)

Very Highly Recommended

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Black Donkey Western Warrior Irish Lager, 4.2% ABV, 500ml bottle BD Online

Like all their beers, this Western Warrior lager from Black Donkey, is unfiltered, unpasteurised and bottle and keg conditioned and so a little murky in their own tall glass.

It is a close to orange colour with a short-lived head. The aromatics are of modest intensity, with malt leading the way. Malt too leads on the slightly sweet palate but there is a soft bitter counter, courtesthe traditional noble hops. But make no mistake about it, this understated lager is one supple and refreshing drink with a lovely lip-smacking malt-licking finish, flavour all the way to the very satisfying finalé.

They say: Truly a beer for any and every day. Versatile would be an understatement. Lets start with fish; scallops, sushi, steamed mussels, even oysters. Grilled pork chops and schnitzel, traditional sauerkraut and its accompanying smoked meats and sausages (natürlich!). Round it off with a slice of lemon meringue pie and all you need is cheese; just about any cheese you fancy. Personally, I’d be inclined to go fish and chips!

It is available in 500 and 330ml bottles and 30L kegs

Highly Recommended

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West Cork Brewing Spice Island Red Ginger Irish Red Ale, 5.1% ABV, 500ml bottle Ballymaloe Craft Fair

In Ireland traditionally, redheads are nicknamed ginger. So, in a reverse of that, a beer with ginger as an ingredient, is called an Irish Red Ale. And it is really red with a white top that doesn’t really hang around to see what’s going on in Baltimore, home of the West Cork Brewing Company who claim it as Ireland’s most southerly brewery..

And that ginger starts in the aromas. And continues to the palate where you get the spicy lift along with notes of honey and biscuit. Must say I rather like the ginger, particularly towards the warming finalé. Just goes to show West Cork Brewing are following their own compass, exploring new paths and making very interesting beers indeed.

As always, their beers are brewed using their own spring water, are bottle conditioned, unfiltered and vegan friendly. West Cork Brewing was launched in December 2014 by Dominic Casey, Henry Thornhill and brewer Kevin Waugh.

An interesting beer. Recommended

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Monday, December 5, 2022

A stunning white blend from Valencia and a delightful Cab Franc from Sancerre

A stunning white blend from Valencia and a Cab Franc gem from Sancerre

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Cullerot Celler del Roure Valencia (DOP) 2021, 13%, €17.50 MacCurtain Wine Cellar

Cullerot is a white wine from the D.O. Valencia. produced by Celler del Roure. It is a blend of different grape varieties: 30% Macabeo, 30% Pedro Ximénez, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Malvasía, 10% Merseguera, 10% Verdil. Haven’t heard of the last two before.

The wine is aged mostly in clay amphora (6 months) , a method which follows ancient winemaking traditions, and provides Cullerot with “a truly complex and unique character”. It is a blend and method that works very well indeed.

Straw yellow is the colour, clean and bright. It’s got a very interesting nose indeed, fruity, floral and herbaceous. Entry is impressive, fresh and packed with fruit flavour; it is well balanced thanks to a sharp acidity, has a beautiful texture and finishes strong and long. Very Highly Recommended.

The producers suggest serving it at 7 degrees (others say 8 to 10) with rice dishes. Others, including the Wine Society, indicate Gazpacho, Prawns, Spaghetti Puttanesca, Olives, Shellfish risotto, Salads, Aperitifs, Rice with fish, white fish, and shellfish.

Celler del Roure, founded in 1996, is a small family winery which works with the utmost care on every inch of land. The winery also keeps its eye on the future, collaborating on various projects with the Universitat Politècnica de València.

The use of large clay amphorae may be unusual in Spain but not so in other ancient wine countries such as Georgia. Celler del Roure’s utilisation of them is a nod to the tradition as well as a means of aging without oak influence.

I bought this bottle from the relatively new MacCurtain Wine Cellar in Cork. Co-owner Sean Gargano has visited the winery and been very impressed: "We love pretty much everything from Celler del Roure. Owner Pablo Calatayud is doing heroic work bringing local Valencian varieties back into fashion. He gets help in the cellar from Javi Revert, one of Spain brightest wine makers."

"Watch out for Valencia to become a player in the near future. And if you see Celler del Roure be it red, white or rosé, buy it. Prices are guaranteed to go up when they get the recognition they deserve."

Watch this space!

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Best Value Wines 2022 Under €18.00. With Reviews & Irish Stockists.

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Petit Bourgeois Cabernet Franc Val de Loire (IGP), 13% ABV, €17.45 (14.95)

The town of Chinon and its surrounds is the heartland of Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley; this one though comes from Sancerre (a few hours, along the valley, to the east), an area best known for its eponymous Sauvignon Blanc.

Freshness is taken for granted with Loire Cabernet Franc and this one certainly has it. It’s also got the fruit, both in the aromas and on the palate, lots of lighter berries (raspberries and strawberries) plus darker (blackcurrant and blackberry) as well, and there are hints of spice. The lingering finish is along the same lines. That wonderful freshness keeps it light and easy drinking. Indeed, it may be served slightly chilled but you’ll hardly need to do that this time of year. A Highly Recommended wine.

We had a beautiful plate of Organic Kerry Wild Meat at a recent meal in Kinsale’s Rare and I reckon this Cabernet Franc would have been a terrific match. And the winery’s list of suggestions includes the French version as you can see: fowl or other white meats are perfect as a wide range of prepared cold meats such as a plate of French “charcuterie”. Could go well with the turkey!

No mention of Chavignol goats cheese. Chavignol because that is the area where producer Henri Bourgeois is based. It is a renowned 10th generation winemaking family, making exquisite award-winning wines from some of the best terroir in the Loire Valley.

A few years back I was in Chinon and failed to drink a glass of Cabernet Franc! And that meant I didn’t quite make the cut for membership when I visited the Caves Painctes of Chinon, the headquarters of the Confrerie de Bons Entonneurs Rabelaisiens, situated in a network of subterranean tunnels running beneath the town’s chateau. You have to drink a glass of wine. What’s the problem? You may well ask. The problem is the glass takes a whole bottle and you must finish it without a pause!

Chinon (and include nearby Bourgueil) is a terrific visit, especially if you go late August/early September. Our highlight was a day-long vintage fair with an old fashioned threshing. Thirsty work and that’s why we withdrew from the streets for a spell to Caves Painctes.

* Most of you will know that Cabernet Franc appears in Bordeaux red blends where, more often than not, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot take the lead roles.

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Top Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists.

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Beer of the Year 2022. The Final Selection (16 of the best)

Beer of the Year 2022. The Final Sixteen

2022

Beer of the Year

The Final Selection (16 of the best)

November: Kinnegar Rustbucket Rye IPA

October: Wide Street Coolship Spontaneously Fermented Ale

September: Bradleys with Dot Nice One IPA

August: 12 Acres Pale Ale

July: Wicklow Wolf Locavore Summer 2022 Foraged Elderflower Saison

June: Wicklow Wolf Mescan Wit or Without You Belgian Wit

May: Wicklow Wolf Locavore Spring 2022 Barrel Aged Farmhouse Ale

April: Whiplash True Love Waits Dry Hopped Pils

March: Lineman Schadenfreude Schwarzbier

February: Wicklow Wolf “Apex Cherry” Black Cherry Oatmeal Stout.

January: Whiplash Dry the Rain Double Decoction Dunkel

December 2021: Lough Gill Mac Nutty Macadamia Nut

Wildcards:

Amber Lager: Hope Limited Edition 26 Born To Be Free

Pale Ale: Whitefield “Eastwood”

Belgian Pale Ale: Wide Street Spéciale

IPA: Lough Gill If I was in LA Californian IPA

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November Short List

Rye IPA: Kinnegar Rustbucket Rye IPA

IPA: Lough Gill If I was in LA Californian IPA

Belgian Pale Ale: Wide Street Spéciale

Session: Third Barrel Day Drinkin 111 Revenge of the Hops Session IPA

Stout: Sullivan’s Black Marble Stout.

Black IPA: Wicklow Wolf Sirius Black IPA

IPA: Blacks Stratasbeer Intergalactic IPA.

Marzen: Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2022 Marzen

Export Stout: Whiplash The Wake Export Stout, 7.0%

Red Ale: Galway Bay Bay Ale Red Ale

Pages

Friday, December 9, 2022

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Monday, December 5, 2022