Category: Bru Brewery

2014, Beoir, Bru Brewery, Copper & Spices, Dubh, Dublin Beer Ladies, Guest Blog Post, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Irish, Irish Craft Beer, Le Cheile, Mrs Irishbeersnob, Music, Rí, Rua

Music Festival, In a Brewery? It can only be the Le Cheile launch in Brú Brewery

by irishbeersnob1 Comment on Music Festival, In a Brewery? It can only be the Le Cheile launch in Brú Brewery

Ok, in a world exclusive, Its not me doing this blog post, i’m handing over the reigns to the long suffering Mrs Irishbeersnob. Janice. 

Janice, over to you.

Sampling some craft beers

Ok, a little about me. For a long time i’ve enjoyed craft beers, and I am the one who created the Irish Beer Snob, no matter what he may tell you. My love for Timothy Taylor Landlord is famous the land over. My name is Janice, i’m a proud Dublin Beer Lady, member of Beoir, and tryer of craft beer. Its all a lot of fun, and i’m looking forward to featuring a bit more here, and hopefully in podcasts in the future. Now, i’m going to talk to you about the awesome night we had, well, I had cos poor Wayne was toiling away pulling pints for a thirsty music crowd, while I hung around with my partner in crime Carmel, supping those lovely Brú Beers.

Every August in Oldcastle, they hold a music festival called Le Cheile, this event was ran as a facebook competition for people to win entry to the brewery, and have a few beers while they were rocked by 3 local bands, all of whom will be playing at Le Cheile. I was lucky enough to be one of the forty winners.

It all kicked off at 8pm on a Friday evening and when we arrived the band were sound checking and it was still very bright out. As you’ll see from the pictures below. Famished after a day at work we went straight to Carmel from Copper and Spices for some yummy Chicken Curry with Pilau Rice. Curry and Beer, what a great combination. Now we had the curry, but not the beer. So out we went to get some Rí. Poor old Wayne couldn’t even finish the bowl before he was hooked in behind the bar to help out Neil.


There was a good crowd, but the atmosphere really took off when a bus load of music and beer lovers came down from Oldcastle. Once they got in, and were fed and watered, the bands kicked off. It was still quite bright out so Daire closed down the main loading door at the back of the brewery which made the brewing area dark, and perfect for the music that was going to come next. 

The first band was an acoustic duo called T4AA, they were perched up over looking the crowd strumming away as people continued to drink. It was notable a lot of these people wouldn’t be your typical craft beer drinkers. Most of them were Craft Beer Virgins! Lucky for them Wayne was waiting to eagerly convert each and every one of them. He even said how one lad said he’d never go back to Guinness after drinking the heavenly Brú Dubh. We all know my love of Brú is massive! 

The next band up were Travis Oaks, who were an original band, who played all their own material, and this was the group most of the crowd were here to see. They got them all worked up. Or was that the beer? Probably both. But they were rocking, and it’s a good thing that there was plenty of Copper and Spices Curry, and Samosa’s to go around. 

In fairness to Wayne, he never let my glass of Rua empty, its just delish, and it doesn’t get any better than served at the brewery.

Last up, then for the night were local covers band, No Halo, playing lots of familiar rock hits, kicking the crowd into overdrive. 

All in all, it was a great night, but, more importantly, it was very unique. 3 Bands, in a Brewery, with great curry. Where else would you get it? The organisers from Le Cheile and Brú should be commended for their imagination, and execution of a great event. 

Tickets for this great festival, are available for purchase at www.lecheile.com and several outlets in Meath. If you’ve no plans for the August Bank Holiday weekend you should check it out. Oh, and don’t worry about it being rubbish beer, the beers at the Festival will be Brú!

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Now that i’ve wrestled the laptop away from Janice, as supping a lovely Blackstairs Ruby IPA, I just want to thank Janice for being so supporting with all my beery escapades, and to let you all know this will not be the last time Janice will be posting to my blog. Hopefully soon, you too will be able to listen to us waffle on in our very own podcast, once Ian teaches me how to do it!!

Thanks for reading, please share this with all your friends! Mrs Irish Beer Snob, has arrived.




2014, Bloom, Boyne Valley Food Series, Bru Brewery, Cheese, Creans, Food Festival, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Irish, Kinnegar, Metalman, O'Haras, Porterhouse, Sheridans, Trouble Brewing, White Gypsy

Festivals – Sheridans Irish Food Fest & Bloom in Phoenix Park

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You know it’s the Summer in Ireland when nearly every weekend there is some festival or event on somewhere. This past couple of weeks have seen two of the largest festivals and there were countless others that I couldn’t get to.


First up we have the Sheridan’s Annual Irish Food Fest which takes place at their main warehouse / store in Carnaross in Co Meath. Their store is located at an old train station and has ample grounds for an annual festival. The format for this event is loads of Irish food producers, alongside workshops and demos from some of the finest chefs, and producers. 

Unfortunately the weather for Sheridans wasn’t the best and it was wet underfoot, but this didn’t stop people turning up in vast numbers to sample their way around the marquis. The workshops and demo’s themselves were only €5 to attend and my wife and I attended a cookery demo by Arun from Green Saffron, Cheese making with Milleens, and a cookery demonstration by Richard Corrigan. 


There are lots of food options, hot food, a tea tent, and plenty of things to keep the little ones entertained, face painting, balloons, and a band. 

On the beer front, there was Cam from 8 degrees and local lads Paddy & Daire from Bru Brewery – it was great to see that these two tents were among the busiest at the whole festival, even when it was raining outside.

We came home with a bag full of goodies, local cheeses, local flavoured butters and puddings! It was so much fun, that i’d highly recommend it to anyone.

Next up is the annual Food, Gardening and lifestyle event Bloom in the Phoenix Park. I’d never been before, so I leapt at the opportunity to go when Paddy from Bru asked me could I give them a hand with their bar at the Bloom Inn. 

In the beer tent we had Bru, Metalman, Kinnegar, Trouble Brewing, Creans, Porterhouse, O’Haras, Rye River, White Gypsy and Stonewell Cider. There was also a cocktail bar by Teelings and Ruby Blue. Cleverly there was also and Irish Cheese Stand in the Bloom Inn, this went so well with the beers. However even though I only got a quick walk around while taking a break, I was genuinely blown away by the scale of the event and the many different things they have going on. It was also great to get feedback from people on the beers. As this was a totally different crowd to what you can expect in the RDS in September. I’d say there were a few converts that day.

Next year i’ll make it and hopefully be on the other side of the bar this time.

2014, Blue Cheese, Brews and Food, Bru Brewery, Burkes Ice Cream, Copper & Spices, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Whole Hoggs

Boyne Valley Food Series – Brú Brewery – Beer & Food Night May 10th

by irishbeersnob2 Comments on Boyne Valley Food Series – Brú Brewery – Beer & Food Night May 10th

Beer, and Food. In a brewery. What’s not to love.

This past weekend, Paddy & Daire opened up their brewery to hold a Beer & Food evening, where Bru Beers were either ingredients in the Food or matched to the food on offer. Boy was there a good crowd there. Great to see!

The event was organised as part of the Boyne Valley Food Series www.boynevalleyfoodseries.ie where there are lots of foodie events taking place in the Boyne Valley region over the next couple of months. It was great to see so many local people out celebrating local food and produce.

Shiny steel and a packed brewery.

It was a who’s who of local artisan and quality food, on the cheese side we were represented by Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, and Boyne Valley Blue. There were some nibbles provided by The Central Navan, and Vanilla Pod. There was also bread that was baked with spent grain from the boys brewing exploits.

Then hot food wise there was offerings from local Indian Restaurant Copper & Spices, and cooking up Whole Hoggs fine pork products on the BBQ was Daire’s mammy, Mrs Harlin! Fair play for sticking at it all night.

A wheel of Delicious Boyne Valley Blue, flanked by Bru!

Dessert on the night came from Burke’s Ice Cream, infused with Brú Dubh. It was delicious, but it was ramped up when we made Brú Dubh floats with some and added some grains also. Yum Yum 

Aside from the cracking beers, including a newly tweaked Rí recipe which is much more hop forward now, and I loved it. The stars of the night were the curry offerings from Copper & Spices, i’d tweeted earlier in the week that Chicken Balti would be great with a Brú, and Carmel matched the two and it was a match made in heaven. The lamb curry was also fantastic. It’s great to see that in keeping with their local ethos Carmel will be getting a tap of Rí into her restaurant this week, and more and more punters will get to taste this great food and beer combination. It was great to meet Carmel & Nitin, and i’m looking forward to picking up some food for a Beer & Food matching article i’ve got to write.

Advertising, that hits the nail on the head

Also stars on the night were the amazing pork from The Whole Hoggs of Slane. Bru Rua infused Sausages, and Bru Marinaded Burgers. However what sent them over the edge, was the Bru Rua ketchup, and Rí IPA Mustard that came from Ian Bergin, the man behind the 11pm Somewhere podcast. Just like his podcasts, these things packed a punch.

Its been a busy time for the lads in Bru, picking up new accounts, but also new beers coming. A Belgian Saison will be winging its way to us just in time for the summer, weighing in @ 7% this isn’t going to be for the faint hearted. It’s called Bru Mor. There is also a Hefeweizen on the way, and this weighs in @ 5%. Lastly, what i’m looking forward to the most. Bru Dubh is already an awesome stout, the lads are ageing some in Whiskey Barrels and is due for release later this year. 

#Brewsweplate, 2014, Boyne Valley Food Series, Bru Brewery, Facebook, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Meath

Upcoming Events & Changes

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Good morning everyone. 
Not really a blog post of much of a subject but there are a few things I wanted to share with you.

First, i’ve set up a facebook page for the blog – which I hope to be more interactive with people who don’t really use twitter. So if you can please like and share the page. So just search under Irish Beer Snob. Here’s the link too www.facebook.com/irishbeersnob

Now for some upcoming events, i’m going to be going to but also to raise awareness for as they are some great events. 

Saturday 3rd of May sees the second pop up from the #Brewsweplate team, Eric & Floriane. My write up on the previous event is here. This event is paired with Brown Paper Bag Project in the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin 2. The event starts at 8pm and is €65 for a five course meal with each course matched to a specific beer. Tickets are available through this link on Eventbrite come along and eat great food, and drink great beers.

Saturday 10th of May sees the Boyne Valley Food Series arrive at Bru Brewery in Trim, County Meath for a night of food and beer. There will be local food producers in the brewery who will have used Bru’s beers in their foods. Tickets are €20, if you are interested in going contact the brewery via their email, info@brubrewery.ie it promises to be a great evening.

And that is that for me.

Hopefully i’ll see you at some of these events, come over and say Hi!

2014, Bru Brewery, Caulfield Country Boards, Grand Cru, Meath, Phil Tavey, Porterhouse, Premier Beers, The Central

Craft Beer Revolution in the Royal County – Part 3

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So this train just keeps on trundling on, the craft beer train that is. I’m glad to say since I last posted about my native Navan in Oct/Nov last year there has been steady progress in bars stocking craft beer, international and Irish.

The award winning Central Bar in Navan has broadened its range once again, and to celebrate their increased range they hosted a Craft Beer tasting on Thursday 10th April. Now carrying 4 Irish on Draught in the main bar, and complemented by a wide range of both Irish & International bottles. 

A table full of samples! (Photo taken from the central’s facebook page)

For a Thursday evening the place was buzzing, loads of craft beer virgins in attendance. Hopefully now they’ll be asking for craft beers in future. The event had 50 people there, a great amount.  I was the loon running around in the burgundy polo shirt.


In attendance on the night were the following;

1: Patrick Hurley from Brú Brewery
2: John Devlin from Premier Beers
3: Phil Tavey from Grand Cru repping the Porterhouse beers.

On draught now, the Central are pouring, Porterhouse’s Plain Stout, Herrsbrucker Pilsner, and Hop Head with the ever popular Brú Rua taking the fourth tap. So you got a sample of each. John was also giving out samples from the wide range from Premier.

Each of the lads talked about their beers in detail, with Patrick bringing you through the brewing process with sample grains and hops. Then Phil as a qualified Beer Sommelier (one of only 4 in Ireland) explaining what kind of flavours and aromas we should expect. It was very informative and enjoyable experience. Was great to finally meet Phil after interacting a good bit on twitter. He also is a Punk Rock DJ so keep an eye out for him in The Thomas House in Dublin.

To top it off then a pint of your choice from the selection and nibbles. For €10 this was unbelievable value. I got talking to Mick the bar manager and Mick the owner, that could get confusing. Its great to see their enthusiasm for it and hopefully it continues to grow for them and they take on more and more of the many interesting beers out there. Specially as Grand Cru carry some great beers.

If I was to be a little critical It may have worked better in one of the other bars upstairs, but when speaking to Mick (Bar Manager) it became clear they only had 16 confirmed paid in advance, and a load on the list that hadn’t paid, and some who just turned up for the craic. The staff handled the extra workload admirably and were great.

Also I do feel the prices on some of the bottled beer is a little on the high side. Given there is already a premium over the main stream products (70c in the case of Porterhouse Plain vs Guiness) its a bit of a stretch to pay €6.10 for O’Hara’s Pale Ale. Hopefully that will be kept under review. Don’t get me wrong its a great beer, but it can be got in Dublin City Centre in D2 for €5.50 for a pint or less. 

The €5 Beer Paddle – 4 samples of Irish Craft!
As an aside I was there in advance of Thursday and had a paddle, made locally in Carnaross these things are great. Caulfield Boards (http://www.caulfieldcountryboards.ie/) excellent craftmanship on the boards and work really well. I really want to get myself one from their shop for a cheese board, or even a serving platter for a roast. 

The Central is listed now on Beoirfinder, and proudly displaying a Beoir “Irish Craft Beer on Sale Here” sticker. 

Hopefully I get to start writing more about the scene closer to home and spread the good word. In Navan itself now, we have two very good bars serving a good range of Craft, The Central and Smyth’s on the Square. Beggy’s a very popular spot on Bridge St has just taken in a Brú Rí tap, along with Rebel Red from Franciscan Well – baby steps, but progress none the less.


11pm somewhere, 2014, Against the Grain, Brewdock, Bru Brewery, Farringtons, Galway Bay Brewery, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Mikkeler, podcast, Rí, Rua, The Winehouse, Tool

11pm Somewhere Podcast – featuring me!

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Anyone who knows me, knows I love talking. This past Saturday I met up with Ian from 11pm Somewhere Podcast who rages against crap beer, fizzy piss with a healthy amount of distain.

I’ve love listening to Ian’s podcasts, and was fortunate enough to meet him to give him the Brewdog glass I smuggled from Brewdog Manchester in January. 

We met in Rodney Leonard’s pub The Malthouse in Trim, County Meath, which has The Winehouse off license attached to talk my blog, my work with Beoir, and beers!

Big shoutouts to Brewdock, Against the Grain, Galway Bay, and of course my boys the lads in Brú Brewery.

The podcast can be found on Itunes, and also @ http://www.11pmsomewhere.com/, make sure to follow Ian on @11pmsomewhere on twitter.

Enjoy the show!