For me 2015 really started with the release of Metalman’s Pale Ale. It wasn’t a new beer but it was the first Irish Craft Beer to be sold in cans, it was soon followed by Black’s Kinsale Pale Ale and I’ve a funny feeling we’ll be seeing more on our shelves in 2016. In February Athlone Beer Club met and awarded Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale the prestigious Athlone Beer Cup. ( This was before the buy out, now it’s obviously completely unpalatable!)
That same weekend the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Festival took place in Dublin’s Convention Centre. I had some great beers there including Kinnegar’s White Rabbit and Beoir Number Two which came out of Trouble Brewing’s facility.
In March I enjoyed Galway Hooker’s 60 Knots, proper IPA.
I also got to pay a visit to a fantastic pub in Westport, McGing’s, which I can’t recommend highly enough.
…and a little further afield; La Cave A Bulles, a very cool beer shop in Paris, that I also heartily recommend.
I loved 2015’s 200 Fathoms which Galway Bay Brewery had aged in Teeling Whiskey Barrels.
We had a craft beer night in my local,
Don’s Bar, Moate and Athlone Beer Club met in O’Brien’s and The Shack in April.
In May the Athlone Beer Club took to the road, we went to Bo Bristle, where, with just a little help from brewer Dave Guilfoyle we brewed a Dark Session Bitter. And I totally didn’t mess up their Brew Magic kit.
I paid a visit to Dublin’s Beer Market, that’s some spot!
There was the small matter of a trip to Beer Academy in London for a beer appreciation course.
…and at the end of the month Athlone Beer Club convened in The Malt House to sample the finished product! I’ll leave it at that for now, thanks for reading. Sláinte!