Opinions vary on how best to spend a weekend afternoon. One school of thought dictates that trips to vast homeware shops and garden centres is the best use of time. Another favours an extended session starting Friday evening. Being of a sensible nature I try to find a middle ground, this led to me finding myself (not quite accidentally) in The Spirit Store on the Dundalk docks. This pub has been on the go for many years but took it’s current form around the turn of the millennium.
The Spirit Store boasts a very good selection of beers from around the world. I spotted a bottle of Sink The Bismark on the shelf but I wasn’t willing or able to shell out seventy quid for a bottle of beer. That will have to wait for a very special occasion. I plumped for the guest cask ale; Corby Fox from the Cumberland Brewery. This is a ‘real ale’, which is prone to conjour up images of men with wooly jumpers sporting woolier beards. I have to say it really won me over. It’s ruby red and nicely balances fruity hops with Marris Otter malt. Very enjoyable.
Next I had a pint of Caledonian Smooth. I had some reservations as it claims to be triple hopped (whatever that means) and smooth at the same time . It is poured in two steps like a pint of Guinness and settles in a similar fashion until it is clear:
I was somewhat hoping for more of the hoppiness and less of the smoothness but I was disappointed. It’s not terrible but it’s not great either. Don’t let that put you off though as there are many more beers to try in the Spirit Store! Apparently they have the odd gig in there as well!