Craft beer corner by Jim Flash Gordon of Revolution & Oskars

 

Shopping local is the new Buzz word these days, and in the craft beer business it’s no different. Irish craft beer is as good if not better than our English & European Counterparts. Starting locally with the much acclaimed Metalman Brewery, here in Waterford, Dungarvan, Carlow, and beyond. We don’t even have enough fridge space in Revolution to stock them all. Here is a random selection for next time you’re out for a few.

 

METALMAN PALE ALE

American style pale ale, dark gold in colour with a delicate white head. Citrus and floral aromas lead into hop flavours characterised by grapefruit and mandarin produced by American hops. A dry bitter finish makes this an eminently enjoyable and refreshing beer.

ABV : 4.3%

 

METALMAN ALTERNATOR
Hazy golden wheat beer with a punchy Belgian twist! Alternator is a light-to-medium bodied beer, lightly bittered, with a citrus finish from Cascade hops which is complemented by spicy flavours from coriander, pepper and a Belgian yeast.

ABV : 4.5%

 

METALMAN MOONBEAM

Moonbeam is a dark beer with a light body, bursting with cocoa notes, and a devilishly hoppy character from lashings of Nugget and Pacific Gem in the kettle and the conditioner. Not that easy to fit into a given style, so make of it what you will – but we like it!

ABV :  5%

 

DUNGARVAN COFFEE AND OATMEAL STOUT

Brewed with local oats from Flahaven’s mills and coffee specially roasted by Badger and Dodo, the oatmeal imparts a rich smoothness which balances the roasted flavours of the barley while in the background there’s a subtle hint of the earthy espresso flavours.

 

DUNGARVAN MINE HEAD

This is a classic American style pale ale made using only cascade hops, and also dry hopped with Cascade to impart fresh hop aromas. Tasty!

 

FRANCISCAN WELL REBEL RED

A robust amber ale with a distinct caramel flavour imparted by crystal malt and balanced by the hop varieties challenger and fuggles. 4.3% abv.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

 

O’HARA’S IRISH PALE ALE

Originally launched in 2009 as “The Goods Store IPA”, a cask conditioned beer, this was the last recipe developed by Carlow Brewing Company in the old Goods Store premises in Carlow town where the brewery was originally housed. Flavours: This pale ale has a light malt base with just the right mouth feel to allow the hop character to predominate. Grapefruit like bitterness is full and lasting and is balanced by a zesty citrus burst of aroma from the late addition of cascade hops. Aftertaste: The Citrus flavours give way at the end to the floral, spicy bitterness of Amarillo hops.

 

O’HARA’S DOUBLE IPA (my favourite)

A full-bodied, full-on Double IPA combining caramel and malt flavours with a well-balanced and substantial bitterness, which is topped off by a tantalising hop aroma with notes of tangerine and grapefruit. Light carbonation allows the full flavour of this beer to shine through. 7.5% abv.

 

O’HARA’S LEANN FOLLAIN

O’Hara’s Leann Folláin (”leann folláin” being the Gaelic/Irish phrase meaning wholesome ale or stout) is a full-bodied Irish Extra Stout . O’Hara’s Leann Folláin at 6.0% abv is laden with complex chocolate and coffee flavours balanced by a robust bitterness and delicate spicy aroma imparted from the generous portions of North down and Fuggle Hops. Appearance: Deep black colour with a thick, tan, almost brown head. Luxurious chocolate aroma with smokey notes and coffee undertones. Flavours: This full malt stout is laden with complex chocolate and coffee flavours balanced by a delicate hoppy spiciness. Aftertaste: There is a distinctive smoky aftertaste to this stout that lingers on the tongue.

 

TROUBLE BREWING DECEPTION GOLDEN ALE

A smooth, refreshing golden ale that is full-bodied and has a distinctive hop flavour. Brewed using the best two-row Maris Otter pale malt interwoven with a complimentary selection of speciality malt for a robust taste. It is hopped with a combination of traditional English and modern American hops, to produce a beer with subtle fruit flavours and a crisp, lingering finish. 4.3% A.B.V.

 

That’s only a small amount of what’s on offer in the Irish Craft Beer market, and keep an eye for lovely Gift Baskets of beer for Christmas to keep someone very happy. Cheers for now, Enjoy Craft!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *