I have been an ale drinker for half my life and have sampled many a fine brew from all over the world. There seems to be a huge amount of Irish breweries these days but the quality is very hit or miss.

Having tasted the wares from 30/40 breweries i think that one is ahead of the pack, Kinneger from Donegal.

What are the best in everyone's opinion?

Lough Gill Brewery in Sligo does a red ale that's one of the best I've ever tried (red ale being my go-to).

I'm a fan of both of those

Lineman make delicious stuff. Had a good chat with one of the main heads one night outside the Bierhaus in Cork as well, they seem sound out.

I'm partial to Black's of Kinsale as well, more local stuff. They do a really nice lager and the KPA is one of the most solid pale ales going I think.

9 White Deer in Baile Mhic Íre make great stuff too, all their offerings are solid, in particular the Stag Stout.

Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne/West Kerry Brewery make lovely ales and occasionally make an aged imperial stout which is divine.

I've liked everything I've had from Wicklow Wolf, they do a really nice hoppy red ale.

White Hag do damn good stuff too, the Róc Helles is kind of an outlier in that not too may Irish breweries do any lager but this is a lovely light one.

Galway Bay - Full Sail, another go-to pale ale, but all their stuff is nice.

Galway Hooker is one of the older ones and a little underrated in my opinion. Nothing flashy, but really nice.

More locally again, 8 Degrees in Mitchelstown do really nice stuff, The Full Irish IPA and Howling Gale Ale are highlights for me but they do a delicious pilsner as well, rarer to see that on draught though.

Any time I'm up in Limerick and I'm staying a while I try and pay a visit to Treaty City brewery. Their Sarsfield Stout, Harris Pale Ale and lagers are lovely but again, haven't tired anything from them that I didn't like.

Yeah, I've had a fair few pale ales at this stage.  :abbath:

Drunk just reading that 
Wearing jeans and leather, not crackerjack clothes

Doing my bit whenever I can to make sure my local here keeps that Wicklow Wolf red ale on tap! Full Sail from Galway Bay is well nice too alright, and I've had some others from them that were nice the handful of times I've been to The Black Sheep on Capel Street. Wouldn't mind trying that Stag Stout: always on the look-out for new ones to try.

Ne'er a shout for The Former White Gypsy - Whitefield Brewery?

I probably just like it because it's local but what do any of the aficionados here think of any of his stuff? Brewed in Templemore can be found in most offies and a fair few pubs in tipp

Quote from: astfgyl on January 03, 2025, 12:40:13 AMNe'er a shout for The Former White Gypsy - Whitefield Brewery?

I probably just like it because it's local but what do any of the aficionados here think of any of his stuff? Brewed in Templemore can be found in most offies and a fair few pubs in tipp

Yeah, they're good, used to do a lovely brown ale years ago that myself and a few friends would always go for cos it was consistently the cheapest tap in the place (how the tables have turned). I think their weissbier is really really good too, only 4% and not as heavy as a typical German one, really refreshing.

I did have one of their seasonal recently that I couldn't finish at all. Thought it was a pale ale but looked closer after a few confused sips and it was some saison thing, really sweet cloying taste, just not pleasant.

I'd agree with the op on Kinnegar...def the best of the bunch, they have a number of quality brews but I'd recommend the Scraggy Bay and Rustbucket in particular.

Good call on the 8 Degrees. Lovely stuff, in particular the Citra followed closely by the Full Irish.

Some good stuff from the Boyne Brewhouse as well.

Also would give a mention to Rye River. People might be more familiar with their previous incarnation as McGargles. The Big Bangin' IPA is very tasty and packs a punch.

Brehon Brewhouse in Monaghan does some fairly hefty barrel aged stouts that might appeal to some of ye.
However, the jewel in their crown is a limited edition braggot called Bech Bretha that they do every now and then. 9% and delicious.

Quote from: Yung Led Zeppelin on January 03, 2025, 10:12:02 AM
Quote from: astfgyl on January 03, 2025, 12:40:13 AMNe'er a shout for The Former White Gypsy - Whitefield Brewery?

I probably just like it because it's local but what do any of the aficionados here think of any of his stuff? Brewed in Templemore can be found in most offies and a fair few pubs in tipp

Yeah, they're good, used to do a lovely brown ale years ago that myself and a few friends would always go for cos it was consistently the cheapest tap in the place (how the tables have turned). I think their weissbier is really really good too, only 4% and not as heavy as a typical German one, really refreshing.

I did have one of their seasonal recently that I couldn't finish at all. Thought it was a pale ale but looked closer after a few confused sips and it was some saison thing, really sweet cloying taste, just not pleasant.

The Whitefield on tap is lovely but the bottles can be hit and miss for sure. I've had a couple of bad ones and that Saison is one of them. I'd usually try the local sup wherever I go but tbf mostly all I get is just way too strong on the hops, which I should expect from craft stuff but it's great to have the variety of small outfits that we do these days all the same.

I'm slightly disappointed with the choices of bottled stouts on offer in most parts of the country though

Came on to mention Brehon myself. Best of that type. Their Shanco dubh? porter with the purple label is the only beer I'll pick every time im on a crafty purchase, which is basically weekly.

#11 January 04, 2025, 08:07:57 PM Last Edit: January 04, 2025, 08:10:03 PM by M.Hopkins
Big fan of the Lough Gill stuff and if ever in Athlone Dead Centre has some nice beers. Wide Street brewing from Longford is supposed to be decent too but haven't had the pleasure.
Surely Whiplash is the biggest/best known of the last few years although usually IPA heavy.

Back enjoying O'Hara's over the Christmas. Forgot how good their Nitro Red and Nitro Stout are and Leann Follain is one of the best beers anywhere  :abbath:

Edit. forgot about Western Herd here in Clare. Used to run a cracking pub in Ennis called McHugh's, they used to do a savage Nitro Red in there. Think they have a place in Lahinch now

Last time I was over in Mayo I picked up a few from Mescan Brewery and they were great, their Westport Blonde being particularly nice

Wicklow Wolf are good too, they do a non alcoholic which is by far the best I've ever had

Shout out to The White Hag (also in Sligo). They take a bit of a kitchen sink approach - some hit, some miss, but the good gear is definitely good. Their Black Boar stout is good, as is their Púca sours. Little Fawn IPA is really popular on tap around Sligo (wouldn't be into IPAs much meself in fairness).

Their annual birthday bash, Hagsravaganza, that takes place at the brewery itself is a blast too. I was on some 9% espresso stout last year (2024!) for most of the day and was well sozzled.

Some nice recommendations, i will have to track some of them down.

Rustbucket and Scraggy Bay [ Kinneger ] have been my go to beers for a few years now but i always will try any new Irish brand i come across.

Ewe Rebel from Whitewater brewery is decent, as is Rebel Red from Franciscan Well. To be honest i'm struggling to think of any others