You know that your favourite Irish craft brewer really loves you when they produce a special brew for the season that is in it. Here are some seasonal standouts that should be there beside the big bird on the Xmas table.
8 Degrees Brewing: 2016 Barrel Aged Project
8 Degrees have two seasonal specials: The Fearless Farmhouse Ale has been aged in Burgundy chardonnay barrels, and packs a hefty 6.4%abv, whilst 8 Degrees Bold Imperial Stout is a 9.9%abv monster, aged in single-use Burgundy pinot noir barrels. More Information
Carlow Brewing Company: Winter Star
A spiced rye pale ale from the Carlow veterans, with cinnamon and orange zest added during the conditioning. More Information
Dungarvan Brewing Company: Coffee and Oatmeal Stout.
Made with oats from Flahavans in Kilmacthomas and coffee from Badger & Dodo in Fermoy, this year Cormac has chosen a Guatemalan Finca Velasquez coffee to heft up the chocolate and caramel flavours. One of the classic seasonal beers. More Information
Northbound Brewery: No. 60, American Amber Ale
This tearaway brewery has matched New World Crystal Malt hops with German hops in a seasonal brew that comes in at 5%abv. More Information
Wicklow Wolf: Poles Apart North, Poles Apart South
Brewer Peter Reynier has fashioned Poles Apart North with American, German and English hops, whilst Poles Apart South is a citrussy IPA with notes of mandarin orange and apricot. More Information
White Hag Brewery: Yule Christmas Ale
A spiced malty ale with fresh cinnamon and ginger and honey from these County Sligo masters. More Information
Torc Brewing: Raspberry and Vanilla Sour
This special edition beer is made in collaboration with one of Ireland’s finest shops, Bradley’s of North Main Street in Cork, by the brilliant Torc brewers from Kerry. More information
Rascals Brewing: Fairy Ale of New York
What a wicked name for this special edition from Emma and Cathal of the brilliant Rascals, a limited edition IPA in collaboration with Mollys Liquor Stores More information
Killarney Brewing Company: Christmas in Killarney
A seasonal special from the Kingdom courtey of the fast-moving KBC. More Information
Black’s of Kinsale: World's End Chocolate and Vanilla Stout
Seasonal dessert in a bottle from Sam and Maudeline. More information
Galway Bay Brewery: Black Forest Cherry Porter
Black Forest Cherry Porter. The name alone will have folk snapping up this hearty 6.2%abv. More Information
Black Donkey Brewing: Arigna 2016
7.5%abv heavy hitter is a biere de garde from the Roscommon maestros. More Information
