Tributes paid to Whiplash and Fidelity co-founder Alex Lawes, who has died

Tributes are being paid to Whiplash brewery and Fidelity bar co-founder Alex Lawes, who has died.

Fidelity Dublin, alongside Whiplash brewery paid tribute to Lawes in an Instagram post, saying that his "magnetic personality touched so many people across the globe and in so many communities here in Dublin."

The statement added that the team at Fidelity and Whiplash will "digest this news over the course of the next few weeks and understand how we can honour the man that gave us so many smiles and good times".

Initially starting as a weekend project, Whiplash was founded by Lawes and Alan Wolfe in 2016, before expanding to their custom-designed brewery in Ballyfermot in 2019.

In 2022, Whiplash opened its bar, Fidelity, in collaboration with The Big Romance audiophile pub on Dublin's Queen Street. Fidelity quickly became a renowned bar and music venue in the city, known for its good quality sound system, and a wide selection of craft beers.

Earlier this month, The New York Times published an article about Dublin's pub scene, which included quotes from Lawes.

Many tributes were paid to Lawes, including ones from several Irish breweries.

Rascals Brewing shared that it was "completely shocked and saddened by this awful news," describing Lawes as a "great industry colleague and a peerless brewer."

O Brother Brewing said that he was "such an inspiration to so many of us starting up our breweries here".

Online personalities, including Dublin influencers Marcus O'Laoire, and Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, also paid their tributes to Lawes in the comment section.

See the full statement by Whiplash and Fidelity below:

 

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