I love Kilkenny city. I’ve been to various comedy, music and arts festivals there over the past decade but the Rhythm’N’Roots (now just ‘Roots’) is my favourite.
Brewery Corner opened last year in Kilkenny, it’s supported by Carlow Brewing Company who make O’Hara’s. So I made that my first port of call. We got a warm welcome. All of the O’Hara’s beers are only made up the road in Bagnelstown so they were all available and super fresh on draft. I also spotted a Metalman tap and there was a serious selection of Irish and international beers in bottles. My wife aka the Cider Correspondent had a Madden’s. I hadn’t had the Red on Nitro yet so was keen to try that.
It looked delicious. As far as my taste buds could tell it tastes very similar to the usual O’Hara’s Red Ale but it’s creamier. A good way to start an afternoon session.
I saw a tap that I didn’t recognise for Widow’s Pale Ale. The barman/proprietor told me it was the house beer and unsurprisingly enough it also hails from the Bagnelstown Brewery.
It was a classic Pale Ale and was every bit as crisp and clean as I would expect. It was time to make tracks and my new friend the bar man was encouraging me to come back in after the show.
We went in search of grub. Café Mocha had been recommended but it was closed as it was Sunday. Right next to it was Campagne a restaurant that I’d noticed on Twitter and liked the look of. The start time of the gig we were going to was fast approaching so I asked if we could have a table for after the show. The young lady at the desk was checking for us when the Maitre D approached and told us ‘fully booked for tonight’, we left in something of a hurry feeling that we’d been given the bum’s rush. I took to Twitter and threw my toys out of the pram. (Not like me!)
We went into Billy Byrne’s and I had a look at the beer selection. DIAGEO had done their usual trick of covering taps that weren’t theirs during a festival they were sponsoring. I called for a bottle of the O’Hara’s Red Ale.
A tweet exchange with Campagne began and after explaining why I was unhappy I was asked to give them a ring, I said I would after Mark Mulcahy’s set. I then had a bottle of the always reliable 5am Saint from Brewdog, I wasn’t too bothered about the taps that were under wraps. Mark was accompanied by a very competent multi tasker who often played keyboards and drums at the same time. His set was made up mostly of songs from his latest album ‘Mark J Mulcahy I Love You’ as well as a few from his fairly long career and even one from his old band Miracle Legion. After the show I spoke with him briefly and he graciously signed the LP ‘Fathering’ for me.
Then I rang Campagne. Brid was very pleasant and informed me that there had been some cancellations if I wanted to return. We did and were able to rectify the situation. I had spotted the duck sausage on the menu earlier and began with that. My wife started with the asparagus which came with crab. We debated taking pictures and the end said ‘feck it’ and did.
My wife had the fillet beef which came with foie gras. She pronounced it ‘delicious’.
I went for the spring lamb myself and I was very happy with my choice. I had a drop of Valpolicella with my meal. I’m no wine expert so I’ll just say that it worked for me.
My wife had the lime dessert. It was light and a perfect way to finish her meal. She was delighted Laura had helpfully advised her in choosing wisely.
I had the rhubarb jelly which had a ginger cream. One of the nicest desserts I’ve had in a long time. I am glad we ate in Campagne. As my wife put said ‘It would have been a shame to have left Kilkenny without experiencing Campagne!’. And then it was time to head back to the Midlands. Don’t worry Kilkenny, we’ll be back!