2023 My Very Highly Recommended Irish Beers

 2023 My Very Highly Recommended Irish Beers

December 2022 to November 2023

My two favourites of the year:

McGill's An Coireán Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and Whitefield Brewery's Morning Dew Saison style

IPA 

Lineman KHZ IPA; Lacada (with Brehon) Dunseverick West Coast IPA; Bullhouse Frank The Tank Hazy IPA; Third Barrel Vulture Culture Cold IPA; Ballykilcavan Long Meadow IPA; Kinnegar Black Bucket Black Rye IPA; Torc Kerry Natterjack; White Hag Atlantean NEIPA; White Hag Danann Juicy; Boundary Imbongo Tropical; Wicklow Wolf Tundra Tropical; Heaney New England IPA; Heaney West Coast IPA; 9 White Deer Stag IPA; Hope Limited Edition No. 28 Double Rye; Blacks Red Eye Redemption; 9 White Deer Black Lightning; Third Barrel Electric Eyes Idaho & El Dorado IPA

Lager

Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2023 Marzen; Third Barrel Stop the Clocks Pilsner; Hope Munich Helles Limited Edition No 27; Wicklow Wolf Running With Wolves India Pale Lager; Kinnegar #30 Unfiltered Hoppy Lager; Mescan Seven Virtues Lager; Lineman Undertone Dark Lager; Cotton Ball Mayfield 5; Whitefield Ivy Hall, Dark Lager; Tom Crean St Brigid’s; Galway Hooker Organic Pilsner; Whitefield Jockey Hall Vienna Lager; 9 White Deer Stag Kolsch; Kinnegar Brewers at Play #27 Black Lager.

Stout/Porter

Ballykilcavan Blackwell Stout; Wicklow Wolf Apex Oatmeal Stout; McGills An Coireán (BA); Tom Crean Six Magpies; 9 White Deer Stag Stout; Whitefield Traditional Series Irish Stout; Kinnegar Yannaroddy;  West Kerry Carraig Dubh; 9 White Deer Stag BA Export Stout; Brehon Oak & Mirrors BA Imperial Porter; Cotton Ball Lynch’s Stout; Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout; Lineman (with Craic Beer Community) Pulse Irish Extra Stout; Whiplash The Wake Export Stout.

Pale Ale

Blacks KPA Kinsale Pale Ale; Rye River Upstream; White Hag Ninth Wave New World Pale Ale; Hope Pass If You Can Pale Ale; Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale; Heaney Notifications Off DDH Nelson Sauvin Pale Ale; Wicklow Wolf Elevation; Sullivan’s Pale Ale; Lineman Fluid Dynamic Extra PA; Whiplash Body Riddle; West Kerry Béal Bán; Western Herd Spanish Point.

Other Ales

Whitefield Harvest Ale Sour; Kinnegar Devil’s Backbone Amber Ale; O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale; Wicklow Wolf (with Devil’s Peak & Fierce Beer) Tryfecta Hazy Pale Ale; Brehon Brewhouse Killanny Red; McGill’s Maude Delap Irish Red Ale; Lough Gill Macadamia Nut Brown Ale; 9 White Deer Stag Rua; Ballykilcavan Bambrick’s Brown Ale; Whiplash Quiet Crowd Robust Brown.

Ales with Wild Yeast: Black Donkey Underworld Rua Amber Ale; Black Donkey Underworld Allta Farmhouse Ale; Black Donkey Underworld Savage Farmhouse /Saison Ale.

Session Beers

Rascals Session IPA; Wicklow Wolf Eden Session IPA; Whiplash Rollover Session IPA; White Hag Little Fawn Session IPA; Wicklow Wolf Pocket Dial Juicy IPA; Blacks Brewery Citrus Chiller Gluten Free Hoppy Lager; DOT Brew Spin Off Series Session IPA; Brehon Seisún Pale Ale; Third Barrel Boom Session IPA; 

November 2023

Sour: Whitefield Harvest Ale;

IPA: Lineman KHZ IPA

Pale Ale: Blacks KPA Kinsale Pale Ale; Rye River Upstream; 

Saison: Whitefield Brewery Morning Dew;

Amber  & Red Ale: Kinnegar Devil’s Backbone Amber Ale;

October 2023

Pale Ale: White Hag Ninth Wave New World Pale Ale; Hope Pass If You Can Pale Ale;

IPA: Lacada (with Brehon) Dunseverick West Coast IPA; Bullhouse Frank The Tank Hazy IPA; Third Barrel Vulture Culture Cold IPA.

Session: Rascals Session IPA; 

Marzen: Kinnegar Leaf Kicker 2023 Marzen.

Red Ale: O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale

Collaboration: Wicklow Wolf (with Devil’s Peak & Fierce Beer) Tryfecta Hazy Pale Ale.

September 2023

Session: Wicklow Wolf Eden Session IPA; 

Pale Ale: Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale.

IPA: Ballykilcavan Long Meadow IPA; Kinnegar Black Bucket Black Rye IPA.

Stout: Ballykilcavan Blackwell Stout

Red Ale: Brehon Brewhouse Killanny

August 2023

Stronger Beers: Mescan Westport Extra; Mescan Special Reserve Dark Beer; Mescan Westport Red Tripel. Hope West Coast IPA 

Session: Whiplash Rollover Session IPA; White Hag Little Fawn Session IPA; Wicklow Wolf Pocket Dial Juicy IPA.

IPA: Torc Kerry Natterjack; White Hag Atlantean NEIPA. 

Red Ale: McGill’s Maude Delap Irish Red Ale.  

Pale Ale: Heaney Notifications Off DDH Nelson Sauvin Pale Ale.

Stout: Wicklow Wolf Apex Oatmeal Stout.

July 2023

IPA: White Hag Danann Juicy; Boundary Imbongo Tropical; Wicklow Wolf Tundra Tropical 

Pale Ale: Wicklow Wolf Elevation; Sullivan’s Pale Ale; Lineman Fluid Dynamic Extra PA; Whiplash Body Riddle.

Session: Blacks Brewery Citrus Chiller Gluten Free Hoppy Lager;

Lager: Third Barrel Stop the Clocks Pilsner; Hope Munich Helles Limited Edition No 27

June 2023

IPA: Heaney New England IPA; Heaney West Coast IPA.

Lager: Wicklow Wolf Running With Wolves India Pale Lager; Kinnegar #30 Unfiltered Hoppy Lager; Mescan Seven Virtues Lager; Lineman Undertone Dark Lager.

Session: DOT Brew Spin Off Series Session IPA

Baltic Porter: Mescan Seven Virtues

Saison: Mescan Westport Saison.

Honey Hefeweizen: Wicklow Wolf Honey Hefeweizen Locavore Spring 2023

May 2023

Barrel aged stout: McGills An Coirean

Pale Ale: West Kerry Béal Bán

Porter: Kinnegar Yannaroddy; West Kerry Carraig Dubh; 

Stout: Tom Crean Six Magpies.

Honey Beer: Galway Hooker Honey Beer

Brown Ale: Lough Gill Macadamia Nut Brown Ale

April 2023

IPA: 9 White Deer Stag IPA; Hope Limited Edition No. 28 Double Rye 

Lager: Cotton Ball Mayfield 5; Whitefield Ivy Hall, Dark Lager; Tom Crean St Brigid’s

Wheat: Rye River Backwaters American Wheat.

March 2023

Lager family: Galway Hooker Organic Pilsner; Whitefield Jockey Hall Vienna Lager; 9 White Deer Stag Kolsch.

Stout: 9 White Deer Stag Stout; Whitefield Traditional Series Irish Stout

Red Ale: 9 White Deer Stag Rua

Session: Brehon Seisún Pale Ale; Third Barrel Boom Session IPA; 

February 2023

IPA: Blacks Red Eye Redemption; 9 White Deer Black Lightning

Brown Ale: Ballykilcavan Bambrick’s Brown Ale; Whiplash Quiet Crowd Robust Brown.

APA: Western Herd Spanish Point 

Saison: Black Donkey Sergeant Jimmy Barrel Conditioned Saison; Mescan Westport Saison; Black Donkey Sheep Stealer Irish Farmhouse Ale,

January 2023

IPA: Cotton Ball Fury

Session: Whiplash Rollover.

BA Beers: 9 White Deer Stag BA Export Stout; Brehon Oak & Mirrors BA Imperial Porter.

Lager: Kinnegar Brewers at Play #27 Black Lager

Porter: West Kerry Carraig Dubh.

Strong Blond Ale: Mescan Westport Extra

 

December 2022

IPA: Third Barrel Electric Eyes Idaho & El Dorado IPA

Witbier: Whiplash Alma Witbier 

Stout: Cotton Ball Lynch’s Stout; Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout; Lineman (with Craic Beer Community) Pulse Irish Extra Stout; Whiplash The Wake Export Stout; 

Ales with Wild Yeast: Black Donkey Underworld Rua Amber Ale; Black Donkey Underworld Allta Farmhouse Ale; Black Donkey Underworld Savage Farmhouse /Saison Ale.

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.

CorkBillyBeers #54. Craft with Kinnegar and Weihenstephaner

CorkBillyBeers #54

Craft with Kinnegar and Weihenstephaner

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Kinnegar Devil’s Backbone Amber Ale, 4.9% ABV, 500 ml bottle O’Donovan’s

Amber’s the colour for sure, a dark amber at that. The head is off-white and not for hanging about (at least when poured from the bottle).  Lots of fizz in the haze. 

The first sip introduces you to its chocolate/caramel backbone and you realise this is a serious drink, pretty robust too, a full-bodied drink you can’t ignore. Dark fruit flavours on the palate, 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.

The label indicates amber ale and you are thinking American. But notes on their website say it is known as a refreshing contemporary take on a traditional Irish red. And a pretty good take it is.

Versatile with food and equally enjoyable on its own… full bodied and full flavoured….just the right amount of spice and sweetness…Very enjoyable. Very Highly Recommended. 

Label notes suggest pouring this naturally carbonated beer into a glass, leaving any natural sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

The Devil's Backbone is a local beauty spot, that changes as the seasons and the sunlight change. ...

Geek Bits

STYLE: Amber / Red

COLOUR: Deep red

HOPS: American/European

AVAILABILITY: Year-round

Format: 500ML bottle • 440ML can

30L steel keg (domestic) • 30L/20L kev keg (export).\

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Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier, 5.4% ABV, 500 ml bottle O’Donovan’s

A World Champion - three times in a row. That third accolade set off great scenes of celebration for the German brewer Weihenstephaner as their Kristall Weissbier (bottle version) was declared Gold winner again at this year’s AIBA.

“The subtle banana notes, the refreshing effervescence, and the nobly filtered appearance in the glass completely convinced the jury”. And they convince me also! That golden colour and all those bubbles send an Invitation that is irresistible.

The brewery’s full title is Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan and this is their only top-fermented beer brewed that is not cloudy. The clarity is achieved through filtration.

That clarity is topped with a fine compact foam that stays around as the fountains of bubbles rise. And of course, you notice those banana and clove notes in both the aromas and on the journey through the palate.

Fresh citrus aromas are also evident in the flavour, while the fine bubbles give a pleasing effervescence. Cinnamon and clove on the palate, with a good full mouthfeel. Complex long finish all with that second glass appeal.

By the way, if you haven’t tried wheat beer, this crisp and clean champion is a good one to start with. Disappointing that this was pretty well past its BB date but a tribute to the brewers that it is still in such good nick.

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Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, 5.4% ABV, 500 ml bottle Bradleys

It has a light gold colour, hazy, with a fluffy pillowy head. Typical clove aromas and banana flavours. Superb refreshing flavours and a delight on the palate along with an excellent dry finish. 

This well-balanced beer with its light creamy character reminds me of why I so enjoyed wheat beer early on but wheat beers are in a minority in Ireland and you don’t come across them that often. This is a classic indeed. As they say: This premium, naturally cloudy, pale amber wheat beer is truly a feast for the senses. They add: ” …a veritable classic – and the star of our beer ensemble…. It is the ideal reward at the end of a long day.”

”

This Weihenstephaner,  as is the Kristall, is made according to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. Drink at 6-8 degrees. It has a mild IBU count of 14 and they recommend pairing it with Obazda (a Bavarian cheese spread) - I’m sure we could rustle up something similar around here. What we cannot magic up is a brewery as old as Weihenstephaner - they’ve been at it since 1040! Other food pairings noted are with fish and seafood, and especially with the traditional Bavarian veal sausage.

While the Kristall is impressive and has racked up the awards, this is regarded as the star by the brewery. They obviously know their stuff and I’d go with that (not that means leaving Kristall behind). As mentioned earlier, if you are making a start in the wheat beer style, then make the Kristall your first step!