We had an enjoyable couple of days away as a family in East Cork and we stopped in the city before heading home. I like the centre of Cork city because it’s very easy to get around on foot. A number of beer related places were recommended to me on the book of faces and I was told they were all within a few minutes walk of each other. My first stop for some liquid lunchtime refreshment was Rising Sons Brew Pub.
They had a dazzling array of taps, their own beers, some guest beers and ciders and some would say, disappointingly, a couple of macro taps. I spotted Heineken beer mats on the tables!
That quibble aside, I was able to get a taster tray of three of their own brews, Handsum IPA, Survivor Rye (I)PA and Mi Daza Stout. I would happily drink pints of either of the IPAs again but, that Mi Daza, oh boy, that’s gorgeous!
My next port of call was Bradley’s on North Main Street. I have put in a few orders with Michael over the last year or so after Ian 11pm Somewhere told me about the great range and service.
It’s always good to put a face to a name and Michael was very helpful indeed. My wife was very impressed with the artisan foods at the front of the shop and we managed to fill a basket each.
We then took a stroll around the English Market and picked up some Arbutus sourdough, smoked Ardrahan cheese and Gubeen salami for our tea. While walking around we had a slice of quiche each for our lunch.
Cork man Dave O’Driscoll told me that I couldn’t leave the city without having a beer in the Bierhaus.
What to have? I said I’d try a glass of the relatively new Killarney IPA.
It tasted damn good, nicely bitter and perfect for the warm afternoon that was in it. I said I’d have one for the road and they had Trouble Brewing’s Smash ( single malt and single hop) Vic Secret with Vienna Malt on cask. It didn’t do a whole lot for me. Perhaps I’m a philistine but I’d like to try it colder and carbonated!
Back home I finished the day with a sandwich made with our market purchases and a Cork beer! Eight Degrees Grand Stretch IPA, which uses Vic Secret alongside Amarillo and Cascade to create a lovely fruity hop bouquet. ( Apologies for that!) Anyway, I may be blinded by Corkonian propaganda but I have to say I was very happy with my day in the Real Beer Capital. Sláinte!
