The first beer from new brewers, Black Donkey Brewing of Roscommon is the Sheep Stealer, a farmhouse ale, a traditionally brewed Saison. This beer debuted at the recent European Beer Bloggers conference in Dublin. It was one of the stars of the show.
Richard and his wife Michaela are behind this new venture and have returned to Ireland after years in New York to join in the Irish Craft Beer Revolution. A saison is a brave choice to open up with but this thing stole headlines. I applaud this, too often do we see people playing it safe going with a Pale Ale or Red Ale.
No doubt in part to the striking label that was painted especially for the brewers.
Pours a lovely orange colour, with a crisp white head. Once you get past that Saison aroma, it opens up into lovely citrus notes. That familiar tartness is there and nicely carbed for the style, the yeast giving those familiar clove like and peppery flavours.
I look forward to seeing this in a wider arena and trying it on draught.
There is the East Coast Launch, this Thursday, the 22nd August in 57 The Headline, Clanbrassil St, Dublin 8. The guys are hoping to set a new record for keg emptying. Priced at 4.50 for a pint, for a 5.5% beer this is going to shift. I’m just sorry I won’t be there to help. They will of course be at the RDS in a few weeks if you don’t get to try it
Irish Beer Snob 