My wife loves going to Bloom in the Phoenix Park every year. In the past I have cried off, but the Irish Craft Beer and food section keeps improving, to the point that I’m moved to say this was the best year yet! After negotiating lots of artisan stalls and a few livestock areas I was able to make my way to the beer marquee.
Steve from Trouble Brewing was doing his best to look serious and intimidating behind his brightly coloured bar but I plucked up the courage to order the Lazy Sunday Saison. Even though it was only Saturday. If you go today it will be more appropriate and if you go tomorrow it will still taste bloody good!
I stuck with the Belgian style and went for an Obelix from White Gypsy. It was a strong one at 8% and it was very deceptive but trust me, a glass is plenty.
Next I had a Windjammer from Metalman. Despite being at a wedding the day before Grainne was still smiling fair play to her. Lovely fruity Summery beer.
One of the beers I had been looking forward to was just launching at the event, Otway from Kinnegar. It’s an American style Pale Ale in honour of something golf related. I know nothing about golf (or sport in general) but I feel qualified enough to declare this a ‘hole in one’!
Staying with American Pale Ales, Dungarvan also had a new one which was dubbed Mine Head. It’s a well balanced beer that I’d say would go down well on a session. It drew my brief afternoon session to a close, I have to say I really enjoyed the bit of banter at the bars, there was a great atmosphere in the marquee.
Bloom also has some gardens for those of you with green fingers! And there’s loads for the kids to do, so do yourself a favour and call in it’s on today and tomorrow.