An insider's look at the Irish Beer Industry by Dean McGuinness

He's Newstalk's beer guy, beer importer & brewer, beer talker & educator, and is @BeerMessiah on twitter.

Ireland is probably around the level of the US beer industry in the 1990s, it's in its 'adolescence' phase. It's learning from others, following the successes and learning from mistakes that have happened to others.


Nice chocolate touch but got a bit much
Brewing in lreland dates back millennia, 19th century they had many local breweries, supported by local bottlers & distributors. In 1928 they formed the Wholesale Bottlers Association SDBBA, later BCI. During the 20th century consolidation of the industry happened, breweries closed and the whole market changed resulting in less choice for beer drinkers.

Thwaites 13 Guns & Black Sheep Progress were used as examples of modern-styled beers brewed by breweries which have been around a long time but continue to adapt to the challenges that face a brewery in an everchanging marketplace.

Black Sheep Brewery was 'born' at the same time as the Irish craft beer industry, in the early 90s. They focus on quality, heritage & approach. They have a new small pilot brewery allowing them to produce alternatives to their steady core range.

Marc's Chocolate Bock is part of a new beer range from Maisel, 7.5% powerful stout with dark chocolate notes and a warming finish. This was used as an example of where a brewery is pushing in a new direction, it's from a German brewer but doesn't conform to their Rheinheitsgebot tradition due to the addition of chocolate in the brewing process.

We need to insist on choice - diversity is good. We need to teach and be taught, don't be afraid to ask. Respect a beer's heritage, many Belgian brewers use adjuncts and we need to value breweries who maintain heritage.

McGargles Ned's India Pale Ale

Not bottle conditioned
McGargles Ned's India Pale Ale [baron rating 3/5] - 6.5% amber ale,acetone smell,spicy waxy caramel taste,long bittersweet finish

Spalter Premium Pils

Not bottle conditioned
Spalter Premium Pils [baron rating 3/5] - 5% gold beer,grassy mild herbal smell,crisp,mild citrus grassy taste,slight minty bitter finish
Thank you to Alex & Kevin for getting me this for my birthday!

Stortebeker Atlantik Ale

Not bottle conditioned
Stortebeker Atlantik Ale [baron rating 4/5] - 5.1% pale gold ale,lemon wheat smell,crisp mild citrus balanced taste,clean mild herbal finish
Thank you to Nick who got me this for my birthday!

Thornbridge Colorado Red

Not bottle conditioned
Thornbridge Colorado Red [baron rating 4/5] - 5.9% red ale,earthy brambles smell,sweet juicy berries bittersweet taste,juicy berry finish
Buy Thornbridge ales from Holborn Ales

Conwy Welsh Pride

Bottle conditioned with slight carbonation
Conwy Welsh Pride [baron rating 2/5] - 4% copper ale,wheat cereal earthy smell,caramel with no fizz taste,dry bittersweet finish
Thank you to whoever got me this for my birthday! (I think)

Pressure Drop Stokey Brown

Pressure Drop Stokey Brown [baron rating 4/5] - 5.1% brown ale,nutty brown sugar smell,toffee mild sweet toast smell,burnt earthy dry finish
Thank you to whoever got me this for my birthday!

Dunham Massey Cheshire IPA

Bottle conditioned with perfect carbonation
Dunham Massey Cheshire IPA [baron rating 4/5] - 4.7% copper ale,mild lemon wheat smell,spicy bitter grapefruit taste,sour grapefruit finish
Thank you to whoever got me this for my birthday!

Mad Hatter Imperious IPA

Bottle conditioned with perfect carbonation
Mad Hatter Imperious IPA [baron rating 5/5] - 11% amber ale, pineapple malty smell,honey caramel resinous taste,tropical spicy resin finish
Buy Mad Hatter ales from Source Deli

Celt Bronze

Not bottle conditioned
Celt Bronze [baron rating 4/5] - 4.5% amber ale,toffee earthy leafy floral smell,prickly toffee full taste,dry bitter toffee finish
Thank you to whoever got me this for my birthday!