The year’s first meeting of the beery clans takes place from March 14-16 as the Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair 2019, returns to the Convention Centre, Dublin.

As well as showcasing over three hundred beers, ciders and spirits, there will be quality eats ranging from savoury pulled pork to sweet flavoured popcorns; live music; a games area including Fusbal and a giant Connect4; and Six Nations rugby, including Ireland’s showdown in Cardiff with Wales, on the extremely big screens.

“Our festival has always taken place in Spring and so it was an obvious choice for us to make it part of the St. Patrick’s Weekend festivities when Dublin city-centre is buzzing with visitors from both Ireland and overseas,” enthuses Alltech’s Conor Farrell.

Open Thursday and Friday from 5pm-11pm and on Saturday from 12.30pm-11pm, you can find more details and book tickets at alltechbrews.ie or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #AlltechBrews. Needless to say, Hot Press will be in the thick of the action and bringing you regular updates over the coming weeks.

He’s yet to reveal the name, but Niall Davidson has confirmed that his 45-seater restaurant in Dublin’s South Frederick Street will open in April with former Luna head chef, Hugh Higgins, his number two.

Having already made a major impression in London with his Nuala eatery, the Derryman will be cooking his culinary creations over an open fire in a sunken kitchen. Whether farmed foraged or caught at sea, all the ingredients will be Irish with Davidson currently touring the country to track down the best suppliers.

We’re also counting down the days to the June opening of Michal Wright’s St Andrew’s Food Hall, which is currently being fitted out.

Housed in an old church on D2’s Suffolk Street, it’ll be open daily from 8am to 11pm with thirteen food vendors, two coffee kiosks and two bars. There will also be a “rotational kitchen” where guest chefs will come in and cook for three months. Taking its inspiration from the likes of London’s Borough Market and Time Out in Lisbon, it’ll seat up to 400 people in the main building, which will retain much of its original 1860s design, and outside garden area.

It hasn’t caused a Gregg’s vegan sausage roll-type furor (yet!) but Kelly’s of Newport have their award-winning Vegetarian Pudding available from Aldi stores nationwide. Using a soya base and a special blend of spices, the master butchers have created a remarkably meaty taste and texture.

Having taken London by storm last year, expect Ireland to get its first dedicated Sri Lankan restaurant. Top of the must-try list are Hoppers, a bowl-shaped rice flour pancake filled with fried veg, eggs, shredded roti and curry and smothered in pol sambol coconut relish.

Meanwhile, there are whispers of Dublin getting its first full-time West Indian restaurant – we’ll have the goat curry, please – and a Burmese joint that’ll be introducing us to the delights of laphet, a fermented or pickled tea that you eat instead of drink.

TIPPLE OF THE FORTNIGHT:

There’s lots of talk this year about low and zero alcohol drinks that pack a real taste punch and can be enjoyed by all.

From the makers of Mont Irish Mountain Beer comes Mont Errol’s Original Cold Brew Coffee, a naturally sweet beverage with low acidity, which is better for your teeth and digestive system.

The secret lies in the 16-24 hour cold brewing process, which has already taken the US, Canada and Australia by storm.

Made with much love – and soft Wicklow spring water – in the Sallygap, this has the makings of a smash 2019 hit.