Hot flavours: all the fun of the fair

Our first snifter of the satisfyingly long weekend was the new 5.3% Honey Beer from Galway Hooker, which uses local Slieve Aughty honey and tastes like nectar.

Next to drag us kicking and screaming to their stand were the crew from Priory Brewing, the beery Dublin 24 co-op who were debuting their aptly named 8% Venial Sin. It’s the latest addition to a fleet of very fine IPAs, which Shamrock Rovers supporters will be delighted to hear are now available in Tallaght Stadium.

Also drunk responsibly by Team Hot Press were Bridewell Brewery’s new 4.8% Roo Red Ale; Lough Gill’s 5.6% Raspberry & Vanilla Copper Moose Sour; the 5% Farmer’s Tan American Brown that 12 Acres were introducing to the public, and Crann Beatha, a stunning 10% Whiskey Aged Imperial Stout from Brehon Brewhouse in Monaghan.

As you will have gleaned, Irish breweries are becoming ever bolder with their styles whilst remembering that it’s the sessionable IPAs, reds, stouts and porters, which keep the bank manager happy.

Meanwhile, 9 White Deer celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with the launch in their local, The Mills Inn, of Ól-é, a German-style pilsner whose label and branding is all in Irish save for the ingredients, which have by law to appear in English as well.

Appropriately translating as “Drink it”, Ól-é is one of nine extremely tasty brews that Gordon Lucey and Don O’Leary are producing in the Múscraí Gaeltacht village of Baile Bhuirne, AKA Ballyvourney.
If you’re down Waterford way, make sure to check out The Copper Hen, a restaurant where minutes and hours simply disappear (Fenor, Co. Waterford. Tel: 051 330 300 thecopperhen.ie).
Located above the equally cozy Mother McHugh’s Pub on the Coast Road between Tramore and Dungarvan – the scenery as you drive out is stunning – it’s the perfect showcase for the award-winning Eugene Long who is renowned for his stylish, locally sourced food.

Front of house duties fall to his wife Sinéad Frisby who makes sure guests are supremely well looked after as they tuck into signature dishes like Fresh Kilmore Crab Claws tossed in Garlic & Green Herb Butter and Twice-Cooked Belly of Crowe’s Free-Range Pork with White Onion & Potato Purée, Wilted Summer Spinach & Veal Jus. With epic Sticky Toffee Puddings and Chocolate Brownies among the dessert options, this is a welcoming, value for money Copper Coast essential that’s only a five-minute spin out from Tramore. Eugene and Sinéad are justifiably proud of The Copper Hen being Waterford’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant.

The Dirty Onion, which can be found on Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, has launched a Doggo Menu featuring such canine delights as Liver Brownie and Lamb & Rice Bones. Meanwhile, Aldi are treating our furry friends to Pawsecco and Bottom Sniffer, a chicken-flavoured non-alcoholic beer that we wouldn’t mind trying ourselves.