Other Irish Beers

Believe it or not, I am rather fond of beer – and have been now for over 45 years (Yes, I started young). From a diet of Hancocks' and Brains beers in Barry in the mid-1950's, going on to Guinness, Double Diamond, Newcastle Brown, and Scottish & Newcastle to the local Edinburgh brews. Don't get out around the Boozers so much nowadays - mainly because all the Edinburgh hostelries are, IMHO, mostly miserable places. Indeed, in my life I have only EVER been thrown out of a Boozer on two occasions. That was in 1983 in Edinburgh and both on the same night when I went out on a Stag night with a fine body of Welshmen. Now can ...  Read the complete review

While working in Sweden of all places, I was introduced to a pair of stouts from the Irish company Dwan (better known for soft drinks apparently). If I remember rightly they were called Black Pearl and An Dubhain. The former is aimed straight at Guiness I would say, while the latter is a touch stronger. As someone who has drunk and enjoyed Guiness for a long time now, I was sceptical that anything would be better than the original. After tasting the Black Pearl I would have to say that the king has just been deposed. I was quite amazed that such a new beer from a new brewery could have such smoothness, depth and subtlety. Given the opportunity I could quite ...  Read the complete review

Harp lager is as Irish as a taco. Yes they make tacos in Eire. They also sell and eat them there, but they hardly qualify as an Irish product. Harp is a pleasant enough lager, and does indeed 'stay sharp to the bottom of the glass', but don't be kidded into thinking that the streets of Dublin are filled with misty eyed old men reminiscing over their first pint of Harp. The Liffey does not run gold with Harp. It is a drinkable lager, and you can get drunk on it, but if you want a taste of Ireland stick with Guinness or even try Caffreys. If you were convinced that American Budweiser was a quality beverage by young men shouting ...  Read the complete review

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