In this latest episode of the Irish Beer Snob podcast, we have the absolute pleasure of chatting to Mark & Vivienne from Lineman Brewing based in Rathcoole, in West Dublin. We get to find out their beer journey, how they became a team that produce a great product.
On the night we were drinking the following beers from Lineman
Sundrops Table Beer
Fluid Dynamics Extra Pale Ale
Transmission Double IPA
Lineman are distributed nationwide by Four Corners and are available in cans, bottles, and kegs. Keep your eyes peeled on their social media channels for updates on new beer releases, and all things Lineman.
In this latest episode we chat to Barry Flanagan, Owner of Kildare Brewing Company and Lock 13 Gasto pub in Sallins, Co Kildare and Rob Rainsford, Head Brewer of Kildare Brewing Company.
We chat about all things Kildare Brewing Company.
While chatting to the lads we drank a couple of cans of Lock Down IPA extended edition, which was brewed to raise funds for Naas Hospital during the Covid emergency.
Following on from our Podcast that we recorded with Liam Tutty of Dead Centre back in February 2018, we took the opportunity, on a gloriously hot sunny summers day to fly down the N6 and visit the taproom. Now that it was up and running as we’d sadly missed the opening party.
Housed in the former home of The Ritz restaurant, set on the banks of The Shannon, we were excited to get down and try some of the beers on show, but also to try the pizzas that we’d been hearing great things from members of the Midlands Beer Club and other folks who’d been to visit before us
After an obligatory visit to Seans Bar for a sneaky drink waiting for Dead Centre to open, and walk around Athlone for a little while.
The last time we were down here the site was literally a shell, remnants of the former establishment were everywhere. We could see the potential, but undoubtedly there was going to be a lot of work needed to bring Liam’s vision to life. I’m more than happy to say that the work done has been striking, the transformation is fantastic. From the walk in, the venue is instantly welcoming.
The space is flexible, and can be used for many different functions. Everything from parties, to weddings, and even business meetings.
You walk past the brewhouse on your way into the bar area, the glass walls certainly were worth the investment, as they allow unrestricted viewing into the brewing area.
Making your way into the main area the bar has plenty of local and international beers. Also, it must be said a guinness and carlsberg taps, to make this place inclusive for all. There were also a nice range of spirits and wines too.
We ordered a couple of beers and made our way out on to the deck which hangs over the river, a stunning setting, and undoubtedly a suntrap. Glad I had some suncream on the noggin.
Seeking Sunshine on the left, St Mel’s Helles on the right
We looked over the menu, and decided a Pizza each would be the job, I went with the “I can’t pronounce it” which had Nduja, Salami, Jalapeno, and Basil. Janice went for the “Baby Goats Back” which was topped with Goat’s Cheese, sun dried tomatoes, olive, rocket and parmesan. Of course there was Garlic Mayo to dip the crust into as well. Needless to say, the pizza’s were only absolutely delicious. Some of the best we’ve had in Ireland for sure. Since our visit they’ve extended the menu out, including some very tasty sounding paninos for lunch. You can drool over the menu here. We’re looking forward to going back down.
After eating, we had another drink, and made our way. The bill in total was €43.00. The space has been decorated and laid out well. Including several instagrammable areas which includes the label wall of all the beers they’ve had since opening. A pretty cool collage. We wish Liam and all the team all the best, as it’s a truly unique taproom experience, and great to see some imagination brought to the sector. Sláinte
You can find out more about Dead Centre here, and if you use Untappd, their beer list is live on that.
Dundalk, County Louth, in the North East of Ireland, is a town with a proud brewing heritage. The historic home of the Harp Brewery, and MacArdle Moore, two famous Irish Brands. Sadly, those breweries are now no longer operational, both acquired by Guinness, and closed by Diageo a number of years ago. However, in the waste not want not way of life, both sites are being reborn with a new purpose.
The old Harp brewery is now home to the Great Northern Distillery, ran by titan of Irish Whiskey, John Teeling, who’s children run the internationally renowned Teeling Distillery, in Newmarket Sq, Dublin. However, it’s the old MacArdle Moore site I was visiting this Friday morning.
image from Talkofthetown.ie
Stationworks brewery as it was formerly known, used to be located in Newry, in Northern Ireland, with a satellite brewery in Cumbria. Stationworks was acquired by Alltech, a number of years ago.
They currently produce beer for Aldi, under The Brown Bear brand. They also produe under Stationworks Beer, Finns, and The Foxes Rock.
The late Dr Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, started out as a brewer, before moving into agri science. He was a proud Dundalk man, and wanted to get a brewery up and running in his homeland, after the successful establishment of Lexington Brewing & Distilling in Kentucky. Sadly, he didn’t get to see his dream realised of returning brewing to Dundalk, but Stationworks, was renamed the Pearse Lyons Brewery in his honour following his passing in 2018. Initially, something of a pet project for Dr Lyons, the business is part of Alltech Beverages, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the larger Alltech group. Despite belonging to a larger family this brewery has to stand on its own two feet.
Long time friend Dave Guilfoyle was the lucky chap showing me around after i’d gotten an invite from John O’Brien. I’m sure Dave was happy of the distraction from the end of quarterly paperwork that was due. In truth, it’s a massive space. The MacArdle Moore brewery was massive, infact, most of the old buildings have been repurposed into a business park, with a wide mix of businesses in attendance. There are nods to the site’s brewing history, with the brewhouse old control panel visible, and maltings. Along with the rows of terrace houses which would have housed workers, much like the liberties and Guinness back in the day. The old master brewer’s house was literally 200 years away, so back then, if anything went wrong, they’d to answer the call. I don’t think that’s a perk for Dave at the moment.
The 100Hl brewhouse, which is fully automated with the exception of additions of hops, and speciality grains, is a feat of engineering in itself. German engineering. All sampling points on ground level, and you can see deep into the brewhouse vessels from the raised brewing platforms. The brewhouse is located in what used to be the packaging area of MacArdle Moore, so there is plenty of space to grow.
A recent addition, is the pilot kit, which allows the brewers to take off the shackles of production brewing and have a little bit of fun under a new name, “Clocked Off”
Expect to see much more of that in the future. With Brewmaster brewing now operating in Dundalk also, it’s great to see some of Dundalk’s brewing heritage return, and hopefully it goes from strength to strength.
In this latest episode we recount our recent hijinx, where we visited new and old venues for a bit of fun.
We visited Lock 13Â in Sallins, Co Kildare to have a look around Kildare Brewing Company, and attend a symposium which brought together, Publicans, Brewers, Maltsters and consumers.
Podcast as always is available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and of course directly here
In this latest episode we interview Francesca Slattery, the Five Points Brewing Ireland Account Manager, in advance of their launch into the Irish market with Four Corners distribution.
We taste a wide range of the portfolio of beers that will be coming into Ireland.
The launch party is taking place in Underdog, our new bar of the year 2017, on Feb 1st, don’t worry if you can’t make it they will be going nationwide from the following Monday.
You can find it on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and of course directly here
Irish Beer Snob 