If there was one brewery that blew everyone away at September’s Irish Craft Beer Festival it was Sligo’s White Hag. The quality and quantity of their beers made for a hugely impressive debut. Their bottles have launched since then but it’s taken me a while to acquire some. My wife picked me up a few of the Irish Wit last week in Deveney’s, Dundrum and I ordered the IPA and the Oktoberfest from Bradley’s, Cork.
The Fionnabhair Wit was the only one of the three that came close to conforming to my expectations. Still it was remarkably clear for a wit. I’d love to have a time machine bring me to a Summer’s afternoon when this would’ve been perfect. As it was I really enjoyed it.
The Bran and Sceolan Irish IPA was going to be a winner in our house anyway as it’s named after one of our beloved dogs; Bran. ( Fionn MacCumhaill may dispute that! ) They call it an Irish IPA but it has the hop factor and the abv of a West Coast style IPA which is a great thing in a market flooded with Irish Pale Ales. Delicious.
And lastly I had the Samhain Oktoberfest beer which confounded me by being quite dark! It’s also about 7% so one or two of them is plenty. This one is just dandy for drinking all Winter long. It’s got a lovely maltiness and is really well rounded. Now if only I could get some of their Oatmeal Stout…. Sláinte!