Category: Dan Kelly’s

2015, Beer Festival, Boyne Valley Food Series, Brehon Brewhouse, Cider, Craft Beer, Dan Kelly's, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Irish, James Brown Brews, Kentucky Ale, Meath, Navan, Smyth's Bar, USA

The Summer Series – Smyth’s on the Square Navan

by irishbeersnobLeave a Comment on The Summer Series – Smyth’s on the Square Navan

This coming weekend, on Saturday 18th July – we are hosting the first of a summer trilogy of Beer Festivals in Smyth’s on the Square, Navan, Co Meath.

Those of you who were at our last event in Smyth’s in September 2014 know what to expect, but for those who haven’t here’s the gist of what to expect.

We are highlighting 4 Craft Breweries, and 1 Craft Cider Producer. We are delighted to be welcoming some new comers to our festival, and some returning producers. 

Who we have coming are 
  • Kentucky Ale (Kentucky USA) 
  • James Brown Brews (Ratoath, Co Meath)
  • 8 Degrees Brewing (Mitchelstown, Co Cork)
  • Brehon Brewhouse (Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan)
  • Dan Kelly’s Cider (Drogheda, Co Louth/Meath)
As if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, we will also be having BBQ food throughout the day, and live local musicians.

So come on down, to enjoy a nice relaxed atmosphere and enjoy some craft beer and cider. Get to chat to the producers directly and ask them any burning questions you may have had. 

Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for details of competition to win tickets to this event.

We will be back in Smyth’s on the 15th August, and 19th September, with a different line up of producers.
2015, 8 Degrees Brewing, Alltech, Beavertown, Blacks of Kinsale, Dan Kelly's, Hara PunkRo, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Kentucky Ale, Redwell, Rosita, Rye River Brewing Company, Trouble Brewing

Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair Feb 2015

by irishbeersnobLeave a Comment on Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair Feb 2015

Now in it’s third year, we saw Alltech’s Craft Brews & Food Fair take place in Dublin’s magnificent convention centre. An evolving festival that has come on leaps and bounds since their first event. This has to be one of the best put together festivals in Europe.



Alongside the consumer and beer fan event, Irish Pubs Global held their Global Gathering Event which brings together people from all over the world who own bars in many countries around the world. More of a trade show, there was a number of interesting topics that were covered under the learning side, but it was here I saw one of the most interesting exhibits, Core Coffee. Chilled Coffee served on Nitrogen. Sounds mental. It is utterly delicious. The potential is huge. Many thanks to the guys who invited me to have a look. 


Now, onto the main event. The festival itself opened up on Friday at 5pm. There was music, there was people, and loads of beer. Needless to say I’d a great three days. What makes this event stand apart from others is the truly international feel to the event, with a large number of foreign breweries, as well as some of the best of our indigenous. 


First thing I noticed was the organisers had addressed a number of the concerns from the year before, namely the food options. This year there were plenty of options, including Donal Skehan’s Skoff Pies, Wrights of Marino, Ballymaloe, Sheridans, a veritable who’s who of the Irish Food Scene. I can attest to the deliciousness of the Skoff Pies, though was pining for Mash, Peas and Gravy (Northern boys love gravy!). The token system was quite simple, a token was €1.25, and you bought them in multiples of 4. Made a pint a fiver, but anyone who’s a festival veteran knows, its tasters, or halves at most if you want to truly enjoy the event. Tokens were used for both the Food and Beer! 

Now onto some of the stand out beers of the festival for me. In no particular order. Of ones i’d not tasted before.

  • Redwell – Steam Lager and White IPA
  • Rye River Brewing Company – Double IPA, Brown Ale, and Berlinerweisse
  • 8 Degrees – The Gasman Rye IPA
  • Beavertown – Bloody Ell, and Londerweisse (A collab with Dogfish Head)
  • Blacks of Kinsale – HiViz, Model T (Rum Barrel Aged particularly)
  • Dan Kelly’s Cider – Dan Kelly’s Draught Cider
  • Trouble Brewing – Beoir #2, and Indian Pale Lager
  • Hara Punk – Mi Ujsag, Wagner Ur? (Spiced Ale with Sour Cherry)
  • Rosita – Rosita White IPA (with Juniper)
  • Coisbo – 11 (Russian Imperial Stout aged in Sherry Cask)
  • Wicklow Wolf – Kentucky Common
  • Kentucky – Honey Barrel 
So thank you to all the brewers who brought so many great beers, but also a huge thank you to all the staff notably, the two Johns, Tracey and Maeve who as ever were great! Now, i’d really love to see what the Kentucky one is like if anyone wants to sponsor that one! 

Cheers.



2014, 8 Degrees Brewing, Beer Festival, Bo Bristle, Bru, Collective, Craft Beer, Dan Kelly's, Four Provinces, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Jack Cody's, Kentucky Ale, McGargles, Meath, Navan, Smyth's Bar, Vanguard Beer

The First #Snobfest Event – Smyth’s Beer Garden Festival Sat 27th September

by irishbeersnobLeave a Comment on The First #Snobfest Event – Smyth’s Beer Garden Festival Sat 27th September

So this past saturday was the 1st Smyth’s Beer Garden Festival. It was many firsts, the First Beer Festival that Smyth’s on The Square in Navan had hosted. Despite having one of the broadest ranges of craft beers in the county. More importantly it was also the first event i’ve organised from conception to inception to delivery. Nerve wracking stuff.

With a great venue in the back, a lovely beer garden, well sheltered, we had the perfect space for plenty of vendors, and plenty of punters. The only thing we could pray on was the rain staying way and thank fully it did. On the day itself we had a local feel to it with many coming from not to far away. 

We’d barbecue food, and local musicians playing music all day, it all added to a great atmosphere for everyone who was there.


We had local favourites Brú Brewery who were there with their bottle beers, and excitingly a keg of their new flagship beer Brú, a pale ale thats very well made, but also very accessible and will attract no doubt a lot of your typical heineken drinkers. I loved the fact they served the 30l keg using a party pump. If that isn’t craft I don’t know what is.

Picture taken from BruBrewery.ie

Next up locally we had from Drogheda, we had newcomers Jack Cody’s – who came with their Amber Ale “Smiggy” and Pilsner “Puck” in bottles, and always the beer was a cracker, it’s a very steady seller in Smyth’s and was good to see Geoff again talking to people about his great beers. 


Also from Drogheda we’d the delectible Dan Kelly’s Cider, Olan brought their two varieties, the Fiona’s Fancy which is my favourite, and their normal Dan Kelly’s cider. Thanks for coming Olan and bringing your lovely cider.

From Kentucky USA via Dunboyne Co Meath we had Kentucky Ale with their range of beers, and also their stand out Town Branch Bourbon, and Pearse Lyons Reserve Single Malt – these guys also proved very popular.


Continuing the trend for Irish Beers, James Winans came down from Vanguard Beer Collective, the only distributor out there who only distributes Irish Craft Beer, he carries a great range of bottles and kegs, and on the day that was in it, he brought two from 8 Degrees Brewing their Howling Gale Ale, and Knockmealdown Porter, and the topical Four Provinces The Hurler. My FIL was very impressed with the Knockmealdown Porter, and as always James was fantastic.


Next up we’d from Clane, Kelly’s Mountain Brew with their Justice Pale Ale, both in bottle form and draught. The Justice is a really well made pale ale, very accessible and was pouring lovely.

Ronan and Jacqui were great, even Jacqui ended up serenading the crowd when the musicians had finished for the evening. Great craic altogether. 



The fantastic Bo Bristle Double IPA had just been tapped!

Young Dave Guilfoyle from Bo Bristle was there also, bringing the beer from Offaly, more specifically Banagher. We had some of their amber and IPA in bottles, but on draught as the day went on, they rotated through their range. Starting with their punchy refreshing Pilsner, moving up to their fruity and citrussy IPA, up next was its big brother the Double IPA, and then finally the imperial Red, which was great. Thank you Dave for bringing these two festival special beers.  Even if you did have to chase me away from the taps!

I couldn’t find a glass! Don’t judge me!!!




Last but not least we also had McGargles from Kilcock there who were pouring three of their range, the lovely Cousin Rosies Pale Ale, Granny Mary’s Red, and Knock Knock Ned IPA, as always their bar stood out with those distinctive taps and tankards! 

Thank you to all you brewers who attended, and hopefully we’ll see you at another #BeerSnobFest in the future. If you are a publican and are looking to do something on a small scale like this, get in touch and we’ll see what we can put together.

Overall we have received very positive feedback from people who were there, including brewers, the owner of the premises, and most importantly the customers who gave their €10 for their entry. To be clear the €10 entry included, your entry, your food, and 2 beer tokens. The entry fee also covered the fact there was 4 musical acts entertaining you all day. Above all else we wanted to give value for money.

There has been one of two comments re the cost, we took the decision to drop the entry fee to €5 after 9pm which at that stage we had actually stopped serving food. This reduced rate still included your 2 beer tokens. One comment I read stated food had stopped at 8 pm, this was not the case. As always i’d prefer to have been made aware of this at the time so at the least we could have attempted to correct it, it was disappointing to read this after the event when there is no way to fix it up, but most importantly it’s not constructive criticism.  

Have we learnt anything doing this? Of course, we’ve learned heaps on what to do next time, and more importantly what not to do. I always endeavour to write this blog in a fair and balanced manner and if i do have issues I will communicate these promptly and directly in private to allow for a discussion. 

Lastly, i’d also like to thank Kieran Tuke a friend of mine who was snapping photos all day, you can follow him on Twitter @tukekieran.



Anyway, here are some of the links to the thoughts of some of the bloggers who were at the event also.

Simon Says You Should Drink this Blog Review
11pm Somewhere Dedicates an Episode to the festival
The Thoughts of Corrigan Says Blog
Bru Brewery even had a mention!

Here’re some Verbatims taken from around the place;

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2014, Bo Bristle, Bru Brewery, Dan Kelly's, Episode 2, Irish Craft Beer Festival, Mountain Man Brewing, Mrs Irishbeersnob, podcast, Stone Barrel, White Hag

Irish Beer Snob Podcast – Episode 2 – Review of the Irish Craft Beer & Cider Festival 2014

by irishbeersnob1 Comment on Irish Beer Snob Podcast – Episode 2 – Review of the Irish Craft Beer & Cider Festival 2014
Here we have it, the second episode of the Irish Beer Snob Podcast, in a first, its a joint one with Mrs Irish Beer Snob. Here we discuss our recent experiences at the Irish Craft Beer and Cider Festival in Dublins RDS, this past weekend.
It was four days, 200 different beers, numerous festival specials and great food.

Janice and her conquering beard!
Here’s the link here http://redpn.jellycast.com/files/audio/IrishBeerSnobCast-EP002-09092014.mp3 don’t forget you can also find me on iTunes, and Stitcher Radio

Here is some further info on the items we spoke about in the news section;

1: Meath Homebrew Club – 1st Meeting is the 7th October in The Central Bar Navan, more information is available at this thread over at National Homebrew Clubs Forum

2: This is big news, Smyth’s Beer Garden Festival in Smyth’s on the Square in Navan on Saturday the 27th September from 4pm, we have 6 brewers, 1 cider maker and one distributor on board meaning some great local beers in a great local. Tickets are €10, and can be bought at the bar / off licence in Smyth’s, online via www.eventbrite.ie, and cash on the door. Your entrance includes, Food, live music, and 2 tokens (which is a pint or two halves!)


Thanks for checking out my podcast, and any feedback is greatly appreciated as we’re still getting used to this.

2014, Boyne Valley, Cider, Dan Kelly's, Drogheda, Guest Blog Post, Irish Craft Beer Festival, Janice, Mrs Irishbeersnob, Navan, The Central

Visit to an Orchard, home of Dan Kellys Cider.

by irishbeersnobLeave a Comment on Visit to an Orchard, home of Dan Kellys Cider.
Here we have Janice’s second blog post! 

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We all now know my love for craft beer, but did you know i’m also quite partial to good cider? So can you imagine my excitement when Wayne tells me he’s organised a trip to meet the makers behind Dan Kellys Cider? Our very own private tour behind the scenes and the orchard itself, I lept for joy!!

So after a short drive on a beautiful sunny day we arrived to Boyne Grove Fruit Farm, the home of Dan Kelly’s Cider. It is located in Stameen, Drogheda, situated on the banks of the Boyne. Literally it is an oasis within the borough of Drogheda that I had no idea was there. I was introduced to the very friendly and welcoming Olan, who with his sister Fiona look after Dan Kelly’s Cider as well as the fruit side of the business. He kindly took some time out of a very busy day to show us around the farm and orchards.

This fully functioning fruit farm started in 1962 when Gerard Mc Neese, followed in his fathers footseps, and continued a family tradition of planting bramley apples. A tradition that goes back to 1880. Today they supply a number of the supermarkets with their fresh fruit, and also they produce their own apple juice, which is fantastic. It’s only natural that they make their own ciders.

Once we met Olan, he brought us around the different buildings which house the various parts of their business. From the impressive machinery which sorts the apples and packs them, to the huge cool rooms they have for storing both apples, and the aging cider. The scale of the operation was mind boggling, and it was very interesting to learn the various processes involved in preserving the apples in the best possible way.

The orchard itself is 80 acres in the total of the 200 acres. It’s extremely impressive with lots of beautiful apples trees with many varities. I think Olan had said there was over 14,000 trees in the Orchard. Bramley, is of course the apple used to make the magnificent cider, named after their Great Grandfather, Dan Kelly. He drove the “enterpise” steam engine and passed through the orchard daily. The main Dublin to Belfast train line passes through this farmland.

The cider is made from handpicked apples and wild yeasts that give a beautiful refreshing flavour. It really does taste like fizzy apple juice, though if you drink too many, you’ll know all about it! Olan was kind enough to give us a couple of bottles, and also of their famous apple juice. It really is a great summer drop, and we are spoiled to have such another great cider maker in the Boyne Valley.



Olan will be at the The Central’s Beer Festival on the 16th August in Navan, they will also have a tent at the Big Grill Festival the same weekend. They will of course be at the annual Irish Craft Beer and Cider Festival in the RDS in September also, so you’ll all get to try this great Irish product.