CorkBillyBeers #43. Craft with Wicklow Wolf, Galway Hooker, St Bernardus and Community Brew Project

CorkBillyBeers #43

Craft with Wicklow Wolf, Galway Hooker, St Bernardus and Community Brew Project.

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Wicklow Wolf Eden Session IPA, 3.8% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Deliciously juicy, easy-drinking dry-hopped ale

The colour is hazy orange with a soft white head. Aromas of resin and grapefruit. Citrus is also prominent in the juicy palate where there’s quite a tropical presence as well, and again there’s a hint of pine. Well-balanced though all through with the malts having their say and the freshness of the hops combining in a satisfactory finalé.

Deliciously juicy, this easy-drinking dry-hopped ale, carrying just 3.8% ABV,  is a banker for a session, another winner from the Wicklow Wolf.

Very Highly Recommended.

 

They introduced it in 2019, saying: “An easy drinking Session IPA brewed with a shed load of the freshest El Dorado, Sabro & Chinook hops….We are obsessed with hops. Deliciously juicy, Eden is dry-hopped to give an abundance of tropical and stone fruits with a hint of piney bitterness. The malt bill provides a creamy & well-rounded balance. Malts: Pale, Oats, Cara Blond, Cara Clair

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Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale, 4.3% ABV, 500 ml bottle Centra Victoria Cross

Established in 2006, Galway Hooker produced the original Irish Pale Ale – now the most popular style of craft beer in the country.

And this bottle is indeed marked “the Original”. Colour is a mid-gold, a bit on the hazy side but that doesn't prevent you from seeing the bubbles rising up to the soft white head. Aromas are a mix of citrus and floral. It is crisp and zingy and the flavours are deep on the palate with both malts (Caramel) and hops (Cascade) getting an influential look-in. Quite a refreshing beer with a dry finish.

Perfect, they say, with barbecued meats, seafood and mature farmhouse cheeses. Very Highly Recommended.

Hooker tells us it is created in small batches to make the perfect balance of slowly developed malt and Hops flavours. “The result is a tangy flavour to savour with a light citrus aroma. It combines European and American hops with Irish malt to produce a truly unique blend of old world subtlety and new world taste.”

“Our ethos is to brew natural, full-flavoured, high quality and preservative-free beers. The results are beers that have received numerous awards, including Gold Medals at the Irish Food Awards and the World Beer Awards”.

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St Bernardus Wit, 5.0% ABV, 330 ml can Bradleys

St.Bernardus Wit is a traditional unfiltered Belgian wheat beer produced in Watou. It was developed in collaboration with Pierre Celis, the legendary master brewer who was the driver of the resurgence of white beer in the 1960s.

It has a pale orange colour, quite hazy with a dense white head. The aromatics are quite complex though clove stands out for me. There follows a masterclass in balance in the mouth. The herbal notes (coriander), the spice (clove), the fruit (orange, lemon), the sweet malt and the creamy texture (from the wheat) all combine marvellously well with a superb result.

It is a very refreshing beer but quite versatile at the table (which almost goes without saying when you have a Belgian beer at hand). 

St Bernardus are enthusiastic: “This incredibly versatile beer can be paired with almost any recipe from anywhere in the world. Its most outstanding role is perhaps that of a refreshing contrast when served with creamy dishes - a risotto for example - or in combination with shellfish and white fish. Do you serve a slice of lemon with your fish? You can echo that or a lemon sauce or dressing with this beer with its strong hints of citrus.”

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Community Brew Project Fragments Red IPA, 6.5% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

How does the Brew Project* work?

“It's pretty simple... It's up to you to tell us what you'd like to see brewed by each of the breweries! We'll narrow the ideas down to a shortlist, and then vote. The beers with the most votes get brewed. We have four brilliant breweries taking part in the project: Ballykilcavan, Dead Centre, Hope and Dot Brew.”

This Red IPA is brewed by Hope. And, yes, it is reddish, pretty murky, with a cream head that slowly sinks. Hops used (“liberally”) are Citra and Amarillo and you do get a bit of citrus fruit in both aromas and flavours.  Not a great balance though and we parted ways before the end.

* More details of the project on the Craic Beer Community platform here. 

Sunshine obliges once again as the final day of Feast takes over Midleton's streets.

Sunshine obliges once again as the final day of Feast

 takes over Midleton's streets.

Feast, the East Cork Food Festival, once again drew the crowds to Midleton's main street for its final day last Sunday. And the sun, also an annual visitor, once again turned up (and stayed longer than forecast), as did dozens of providers and thousands of punters, young and old.

There was no shortage of burgers available from the hot food stands that lined the sunny street
but by early afternoon the line at this juice and smoothie stall was the longest in town.

Joe McNamee's Grub Circus pitched up in its usual place on the green and the pre-lunch session was titled Fermentation. Joe's sterling line-up knew the subject well and featured Niamh Hegarty (BKultured), baker Benjamin Le Bon (Seeds bakery, Kinsale/Owner/Operator of Natural Foods Bakery); Dr Fanny Leenhardt Coghlan (Wellbread.ie, educator and nutritionist), specialising in sourdough breads and heritage wheats); Ramya Balasubramanian (Scientist from APC Microbiome), specialising in gut health and expert on fermented foods from around the world).

If you wanted a seat and table and some tasty grub to enjoy, along with music and drink of course. Then the Sage Courtyard was the place to plonk. Ten euro bought me a bowlful of lamb Tagine and I sampled two of the three Original 7 beers available on tap, the lager and Revolution IPA. Both were excellent with the also excellent tagine though CL gave the nod for pairing to the lager. I should have tried the Wonderland Red Ale as well. Next time!

You just cannot have a festival in these parts without
the marvellous Annie's Roasts and her team. Below, local butcher Jim Crowley's
outstanding burgers are always a festival treat.

Not just humans! Food for doggies gets a look-in.

Delicious beers from Cork's own Orignal 7 brewery in Sage courtyard,
lager (left) and IPA.

Reckon they talking Valentia Vermouth here in Sage.

Crepes were as popular as ever!

Max and Katherine (from Ukraine and currently Trabolgan) were
introducing their Snackuberry (below). Hope to get a little story on this shortly.

Roscoff onions on sale at the West Cork Garlic stall.

Sage was also on the street!

Got some delicious Samosa, Spring Rolls and
Chicken Tikka from the marvellous Spice Genie,
winner of the Battle of the Food Trucks in 2022.
Plan to get a post up on them too!

This Gru-Vee will get even the weariest of spirits moving again!

This Gru-Vee will get even the weariest of spirits moving again!

Stagård Urban.GV Grüner Veltliner 2022, 12% ABV

RRP: €21.80. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

Urban, a fresh and lively Gruner Veltliner, is made from fruit of vineyards that are in some of the steepest locations of the western Kremstal in Niederösterreich (Austria).

This Gru-Vee (as it is sometimes called, not to universal approval!) has a strong citrus colour. Many micro-bubbles cling to the bowl of the glass. The nose gives apple and lime. It is indeed fresh and lively on the palate with almost a spritzy lime and grapefruit flavour with pepper traces and a crisp refreshing finish.

I like the way the Stagård website puts it: ““And he's so alive, he'll get even the wearyest of spirits moving again”.  Highly Recommended. 

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Check my growing list of top wines for 2023

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Check out my Good Value Wine List here

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The current owners, Dominique & Urban, made their early reputation with exciting interpretations of Riesling.  Looks like they are doing the same with Grüner Veltliner if this beautifully made wine is anything to go by. They also produce a rosé in the Urban series, all organic and vegan. They have pursued an organic approach to the vineyards and cellar since 2006.

Their philosophy is to combine the characteristics of the grape variety with the natural conditions of the region and the vineyards. The wines are vibrant and distinguish themselves mainly by two factors: spontaneous and slow fermentation and extended time on the lees. “Above all,” says Urban, “we trust in time.” This allows each wine to find its own individual rhythm and equilibrium. These are true wines of terroir …. delightful to drink.

Stagård is an unusual name in these parts and came from Urban's father, who originally hailed from Sweden. But the history of Lesehof Stagård is as old as the town of Krems where it is situated: The "Lesehof der Tegernseer" was an old German abbey, first mentioned in official documents in 1424; its cellar dates back even further, to the year 1000. The estate passed into private hands in 1786.

The Lodge at Waterford's Mount Congreve is a hideaway gem

The Lodge at Waterford's Mount Congreve is a hideaway gem.

All ready for you

The Lodge at Mount Congreve is a charming 18th-century gate lodge that has been lovingly restored and converted into a cosy and stylish hideaway. It is located on the grounds of the stunning Mount Congreve House and Gardens (one of the Great Gardens of the World), and it offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: a peaceful retreat in a historic setting with easy access to all the amenities and attractions of the surrounding area including the lively city of Waterford.

Be sure and check the story
behind this temple in the
garden with its
lovely view over the Suir.

Following its 7-million euro renovation, Mount Congreve House and Gardens was reopened in early 2023 and now, since June, includes the Lodge in its list of attractions. 

The lodge, an 18th-century cottage by the entrance gate, is currently the only accommodation on the estate available to guests. Two other similar buildings are on the restoration list but they won't be ready anytime soon as no work has started.

The Lodge, originally the gatekeeper’s, has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom, all on the small side but snug. Like all old buildings, it has its quirks but these give it some of its personality.  While the restoration has some old features (cast-iron rainwater goods and an antique bio-ethanol stove), there are also very modern elements (apps on a supplied mobile phone for heating, opening the main gate etc.).

There is a decent-sized lawn equipped with a barbecue and hammock and if you want to walk, the whole estate is at your door, the gardens too (you have your own key). You can park the car by the house and close the lodge gate behind you. The main gates to the estate close at 6.00 pm, so if you are out and about you need to have the supplied mobile with the apps in the car.

Sleep well!

If you want to tour around the area, you are also well placed. The award-winning Waterford Greenway cycle route can be accessed directly (you have two bikes available at the lodge) from Mount Congreve Gardens. The restored Waterford Suir Valley Railway has enabled the magic of rail’s golden age to be brought to life in nearby Kilmeadan. This narrow A gauge railway runs along 10 kilometres of the abandoned Waterford Dungarvan line. The R680 runs outside the gate and a few minutes in the car will take you to the N25.

The second bedroom. The Lodge can take 4 adults

Picnic?

The living room is one of the larger spaces here, well furnished, though modern posteriors may find some of the seats that bit hard - no shortage of cushions, though. There is an honesty bar (includes their own Mt Congreve gin) at hand, a chessboard and other board games, and no shortage of books. And a very modern Wi-Fi TV and yes the Wi-Fi is excellent.

The kitchen is small but has all you need to cook (if you want to!) and they supply enough essentials (fresh eggs, milk and bread included) to have a snack when you arrive (or the morning after). There’s even an “old” transistor radio on the window shelf and it is in good working order.

The dining room is so well furnished. The table is set with very attractive ware and you are immediately tempted to try it out. How about a picnic? No bother. There’s a large well-equipped basket there. I'm not too sure you'd manage that on your supplied bikes (2). You will of course be able to have breakfast or lunch or indeed afternoon tea at The Stables, the restaurant in the house.

Mount Congreve

The master bedroom is beautifully lit and decorated (large tapestry and gilded mirror in one) and the black radiators (used throughout) are hardly noticeable but do their job. The bed itself is of the lower variety, handy for those of a certain age! Comfortable though. The second bedroom is only slightly smaller and just as comfortable. 

In the Bathroom, you’ll find a range of toiletries including body wash and hand soap made locally by Wild Oats Soap, as well as a hair dryer. Bathrobes made up of 40% Bamboo & 60% Cotton can be found in the bedroom wardrobes. Check yourself out in the gorgeous old mirror. And the modern shower is all pushbutton, one of the best I've come across.

Meet a hearty Reuben at The Stables Café in the main house. 
Here, you may enjoy breakfast, lunch, and anytime treats.

The Lodge itself is very well maintained both inside and out, spotless.

Pawn to Q4!

You are assured of a very warm welcome. Head to the main house reception to meet the staff and they’ll take you to the Lodge and show you around and fill you in on what you need to know including a little demo on the apps on the supplied mobile phone.

Additional details:

• The lodge is located in the heart of the Waterford countryside, just a short drive from the city of Waterford.
• It is dog-friendly, with up to two dogs allowed per stay. If you do bring the dog, you will be able to take it to the Secret Garden Shop and the Stables Restaurant but not into the gardens.
• Not recommended for children under the age of 12.
• Rates from 195 euro per night to 270 euro per night depending on the season. A minimum two-night stay applies.
• .More info here https://mountcongreve.com/gate-lodge/

Check the Secret Garden Shop for treats and pressies.

April Visit to Mount Congreve and gardens here . (Note - before Pantry at Cliff took over the Stables Restaurant).

Lovely Friday Lunch at North Point’s Lemon Pepper Cafe

Lovely Friday Lunch at North Point’s Lemon Pepper Cafe

Bought a bag of food for the doggy at Sunbeam Vets in North Point last Friday. And then walked around the corner and into a spic and span café called Lemon Pepper for what turned out to be an excellent lunch.

Lemon Pepper? You ask: “Isn’t that in the airport.” There is indeed a Lemon Pepper at Cork Airport. “And anyhow isn't that North Point Café called Perry Street?" Not anymore. Both Lemon Peppers fall under the BaxterStorey banner; they opened the airport venue just before Christmas and took over in Blackpool not too long afterwards.

Reuben 

The mainly glass-walled room is filled with light, and seating is comfortable. On-screen menus are short and clear. And do watch out for the specials. They even have a special place to show them off.

Having seen the evidence, it was rather difficult not to take either the Lemon Pepper Spiced Rotisserie Chicken Served with Spring Greens and Roasted Baby Potatoes or the Crispy Fried Fish with a side of mashed peas and triple-cooked chips (comes with 1 side salad or another side of your choice). Both dishes were priced at (€13.50).

Friday specials

But I was on the lookout for something a little lighter as dinner was already arranged for the evening. Instead, I made my choice from the sandwiches and it was their Reuben. The traditional filling came in a choice of wraps and I picked the Panini rather than the bread. Not a traditional Reuben cover then, and that might upset some traditionalists, but the sandwich was superb, moist and tasty and streets ahead of one that I ate two days earlier in a very classy venue in the southeast.

Salads

Besides, it came with two sides, neither very big but each very very tasty indeed, a potato salad and a pepper and veg salad, two salads that put what I received with my Reuben in Waterford to shame. Well ahead in price too: Lemon Pepper charged just €7.90 with the Waterford one coming in at €9.80.

BaxterStorey is largely based in the UK but is also strong in Ireland where the operation is headed up by Kieran Callinan, Cork Businessman of the Year in 2019 and well known through his role with Brook Foods (a sister company of BaxterStorey). “He's crafting a food revolution for his clients, serving up award-winning hospitality at racetracks, airports, zoos and workspaces everywhere from Cork to Belfast.”

Both Lemon Pepper cafés in Cork are committed to serving amazing coffee, delicious breakfast, lunch and tasty sweet treats. And the good news is that they will be using fresh local ingredients and supporting local suppliers. 

Rocky Road and other Treats!

We saw that ourselves last Friday with the likes of Carrigaline Cheese, Barry’s Tea, and Maher’s Coffee noted on the menu while O’Flynn’s Sausages, Ó’Conaill Chocolate and Ballymaloe Foods are mentioned in a media release on the airport venue.

So good well-priced food, (some enticing treats on the counter), in a comfortable venue. The welcome is warm, and an excellent crew here, friendly and quietly efficient. Call in, make your choices, sit back and relax! And don't forget the Dog’s nuts!