Now on my Tap at Sheary's: Little Fawn by White Hag

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of White Hag. I've been singing their praises for a while now. Last year, I wrote about the way they burst onto the scene and changed everything. One year on, they are in my opinion still setting the standard in Irish craft beer. To me, they were the winners of the Irish Craft Beer Festival again this year. Their new beers were absolutely outstanding, especially the Heather Sour aged in a wine barrel and their new Oktoberfest beer. So far I've not tasted a beer from them that I haven't loved.

Anyone familiar with White Hag's beers will know that they usually pack a punch. 8% is not unusual for them. But this year, they have created a Session IPA that is a bit more forgiving and only comes in at 4.2%. I was excited to try it and to see how much flavour Joe would manage to squeeze into it. Of course there was no doubt in my mind that it would be a LOT. And it was. Little Fawn is an absolutely stunning beer that has so much taste, you would never guess that it's only 4.2%. It tastes like a full-on IPA with all the flavour you would expect. It has lovely grapefruit and citrus notes and is, of course, very well balanced. I think Little Fawn is one of the most flavourful session beers we have in Ireland. It's another cracking masterpiece from White Hag, but then again, I wouldn't have expected anything else.

I chose Little Fawn to go on my tap in Sheary's and it is going on TODAY! I will certainly be there later to enjoy a pint or 2 of this fantastic beer. Come and join me, it's Friday after all, you might as well!

A perfect beer for the last rays of summer: Wild Bat Pilot Batch 003

I am delighted to announce that I am now a “Tap Curator” at the wonderful Sheary’s of Crumlin. What that means is that I get to decide which beer goes on one of their 6 craft beer taps. It’s a really exciting opportunity and it’s been great fun to work with the ever-lovely team at Vanguard who supply the beers for this tap. On top of that it means that I have a good reason to write a blog post every now and then to share a little bit about the beer I’ve chosen to go on next.

The first beer I chose was Grand Stretch from Eight Degrees and it went down a treat. Now that it is all gone, I was delighted to hear that Vanguard had a few kegs of Wild Bat Pilot Batch 003 left because it would be a brand new brewery to Sheary’s and also to me. So off I went to sample a pint of it in the name of research. Here’s what I found out.

Wild Bat is brewed by Corrib Brewing Company in Co. Galway. Behind it is the owner of Probus Wines, Paul Fogarty, and 2 of his pals. So far, they’ve brewed 3 beers which are aptly called Pilot Batch 001, 002 and 003. Batch 003 is a California Common. It comes in at about 4.3% and is a ruby amber colour with a very nice, creamy, long-lasting head.

The aroma is very subtle, malty with a slight citrusy note. The taste is a fantastic and amazingly well-crafted combination of lovely sweet and soft malt and a nice soft texture that hits you first, and a great little kick from the hops coming next. This combination makes it perfectly sessionable because it’s not overly hoppy. But it has this often-attempted-and-rarely-achieved just perfect cheeky little hop kick that keeps the beer interesting and refreshing and that makes you want to drink it all day long. If you were looking to introduce someone to craft beer, this would be the beer to start with. It’s perfect for newbies. But at the same time it keeps us veterans happy and hopped up. It was so delicious that 1 pint turned into 3. Some seriously impressive skill is on display in this beer. I would recommend this to absolutely anyone. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Get yourself into Sheary’s, grab a pint of Wild Bat Batch 003 and take it out the back to enjoy the last rays of sun with this beer as the perfect accompaniment. 

White Hag's new Searbh Rua Imperial Sour Red

Paddy’s Weekend is almost here! Dublin has started turning green and the tourists are invading in their thousands. One of the many events taking place over the next 5 days is the Irish Beer & Whiskey Fest in the RDS. What better way to celebrate all things Irish than by enjoying some fantastic Irish craft beers and artisan food?  Lots of breweries, cider makers and whiskey distilleries will be there offering a huge choice of libations, and the artisan food stalls will be dishing up delish grub to soak it all up. Most breweries have announced special beers and cask brews for the festival, so there’ll be a lot of new, interesting things to try.

At the last beer festival at the RDS in September, everyone was raving about this brand new brewery, White Hag, and their amazing unusual beers. Check out my post from back then for a reminder. Their stand was by far the busiest in September. For the entire duration of the festival, there was a never-ending queue of people eager to get their hands on White Hag's fantastic brews. Fast forward to this year, and it looks like White Hag are setting themselves up for another big one, judging by the size of the bar they are in the process of installing at the RDS. Just looking at the picture is enough to get anyone very excited.

Of course they’ve been busy extending their range and I was lucky enough to be offered a sample of their latest creation called Searbh Rua, an Imperial Sour Red. Sour Ales are just starting off in Ireland at the moment, having been hugely popular in the US for quite a while already. It is definitely an unusual beer style and a Marmite kind of thing. Either you love it or you hate it. There's no middle ground. I happen to love them so I was delighted to give this new beer a try.

Described as “an artisan sour amber ale inspired by the ancient brewers of the Irish northwest”, it pours a very dark red, almost brown colour with a head that dissipates right away. On the nose it has caramel and toffee sweetness combined with a clear citrus note and a hint of peat. The taste is very rich and sweet, again with caramel coming through at first. I also tasted plums and of course and a citrusy tartness. I was surprised because for a sour ale, it is very sweet at first and the sourness only hits you a few seconds later. Most sour ales I’ve tried were very full-on and very sour from the start, but I actually like the way this one unfolds its flavours. It’s not as much of a shock as some sour ales can be. It would be a great first sour ale for someone just discovering the style.

As is typical for White Hag, this beer is strong and packs 7.9%. But once again it is so well executed that it doesn’t taste like it. To me, sour ales are something you savour and drink slowly and I wouldn’t drink more than a half pint of a sour ale. Searbh Rua is perfect for this type of savouring. You could happily sip away at it and once it’s gone, you’ll be satisfied and any more of it would be too much in one sitting. If you’re planning to pop into the RDS over the next few days, definitely give this beer a try. I can picture a queue forming at the new, huge White Hag bar already. Well done to Joe for another fantastic addition to the White Hag range!

Pifko Bar

I love when you go to a bar or restaurant in Dublin and when you leave, you feel like you've just been on a mini holiday.

Recently, Mr. S and I took one of these mini holidays at Pifko Bar. When we left, we felt like we had just been to the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Pifko Bar is the perfect place for an escape from the cold with some substantial grub and interesting beer choices to help you refuel after a long day of shopping.

"Pifko" is Czech and Slovak for "little beer", which is their way of saying "pint". It's a Czech bar which specialises in Czech and Slovak beer and food. It is located on Usher's Quay, a little past the Four Courts but on the Southside. We ventured out there after a busy day of shopping, and when we arrived, we were definitely ready for some dinner and a few pints.

The place is nice and welcoming inside, beside the tables they have areas with cozy couches to relax in. There was a mix of Irish, Czech and Slovak people, chatting away, enjoying their food, or watching the match on one of the many screens. Board games and dart boards are also available. The walls are full of interesting decorations and paintings.

We were there to have some Czech and Slovak beers and food, but Irish craft beer was also available on draught and in bottles, as were some of the macro beers. Besides the lovely Czech and Slovak foods, the usual Irish pub grub is served as well. Something for everyone.

It was around Halloween, hence the decorations.

We sampled our way through the various Kozel beers, the Zlaty Bazant and the Gambrinus. It's rare to find these on tap in Dublin, so it was a nice change.

The food was something else. We ordered a meat platter to share. It was absolutely enormous. A mountain of different varieties of pork: different types of sausages, pork belly, pudding, and so on. We thought we'd never be able to finish it, but then we tried it. It was so delicious that we polished off the whole thing. The platter came with a bread basket and some Sauerkraut on the side. Everything was really tasty and very good value for money. Definitely enough for 2 and it was around 20 Euro. The beers went perfectly with it as well. It's not for the faint-hearted but it's perfect after an exhausting day.

The other Czech and Slovak specialties all looked very good as well. There was Goulash served in a bread bowl, roast duck, grilled pork neck, potato pancakes, the Slovak national dish "Bryndzové Halušky" (potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon), Schnitzel, grilled aubergine, and much more.

The service was very friendly, attentive and quick throughout.

We really enjoyed our time at Pifko and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone, whether you're looking to try some new beers and foods, or just want to have a few of the usual pints and pub grub. Everyone will find something they like here. Take a look at their website for their menus (there are special sections for the Czech and Slovak dishes and beers).

Pifko is definitely worth the trek. A great little escape to central Europe. Why not pop in after this week's Christmas shopping and try it for yourself?

Two Music Events you need to check out before you die!

It's been a while since my last blog post. My laptop died of old age, so I had to take an involuntary break until I got a new one. Now that I'm finally able to blog again, it's time for the first, long overdue Tunes post on Grub, Jars and Tunes.

I want to tell you about my favourite monthly and weekly music events in Dublin. I have chosen these because they are a bit different from the usual gigs in a pub or huge concerts in the O2. So if you're up for trying something new and interesting, keep reading. :)


My favourite monthly music event in Dublin is Kaleidoscope Night. It was created 4 years ago by violinist Cliodhna Ryan and cellist Kate Ellis. It takes place in the Odessa Club on the first Wednesday of every month, and tickets cost only €10.00.

The website says that "Kaleidoscope night, described by the Irish Times “one of those life-saving, spirit-lifting, pioneering Cultural Ventures we keep hearing about” brings a vibrant, dynamic musical experience to audiences and performers. Innovative and imaginative programming offers a diverse range of music from ancient to contemporary and experimental in a relaxed, intimate and beautiful setting." I couldn't agree more.

You can expect to hear anything from solo instrumental pieces or arias to duets, trios, quartets, all the way to the Mendelssohn Octet. There is always an eclectic mix of genres: there can be baroque, classical, contemporary and trad all in the one night. The program always flows perfectly, despite so many different styles.

I have heard some premieres of beautiful pieces at Kaleidoscope, and the best thing about those is that the composer is usually present and performing their piece together with other musicians. Kaleidoscope is a great opportunity for young and upcoming composers and musicians to showcase their talent, while at the same time there are "regulars" who perform almost each month, including the two curators.

The vibe of the night is always welcoming and relaxed. There is nothing posh or exclusive about this event. Everyone just relaxes with their glass of wine/beer and listens to the beautiful music.

Intimate venue at the Odessa

Kate Ellis

Cliodhna Ryan

If you want to experience something different and escape into a magic world for a couple of hours, Kaleidoscope is the event to go to. Apart from the "normal" nights, there are also some special events. We went to Kaleidoscope's 4th birthday party in the Sugar Club recently. It was an amazing night of outstanding music, which also featured a drinks reception and an after party with a great jazz band! :) Every year, Kaleidoscope Night goes on a tour to visit different cities in Ireland and bring their performances do new audiences. To keep up with their events, visit their website, Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter.
All pictures above © Kaleidoscope Facebook page

After Kaleidoscope Night, you will most likely experience severe music withdrawal symptoms. But fear not, there are many great weekly events in Dublin to keep you happy and entertained.

My favourite weekly event is Gin & Jazz Thursday in the Mint Bar at the Westin Hotel. The Mint Bar is a great venue which has recently won the "2013 Bar of the Year Awards". It is located in former bank vaults in the basement of the Westin and offers very good food, delicious cocktails and great service.

Every Thursday, they bring together great Jazz music and delicious G&Ts. What could be better? Here's what: There is no entry fee and that delish G&T is only a fiver! There are many special cocktail promotions on the night, and some tasty cocktail bites to nibble on while you listen to Cary Posavitz and the Players performing all the Jazz classics and even your requests! Cary was the first American vocalist in Riverdance and has starred in many famous international productions. Together with his brilliant and extremely entertaining band, he sets the perfect atmosphere to lean back, enjoy your G&T and start your weekend early.

© Cary Posavitz and the Players Facebook Page

Cary and the Players play gigs around Dublin and are also available for bookings if you want to jazz up your next big event. Check their website and Facebook page for more details.

If you've been looking for something new to try, why not check out one of these events, or even both? I hope you will enjoy them!

If you have any great events to share, please do let me know, I'm always looking for interesting music in and around Dublin.

My Highlights of the Irish Craft Beer Fest

The Irish Craft Beer Fest was great fun altogether! I went on the Saturday and it was absolutely jammers. It was brilliant to see so many craft beer lovers and the ever-growing number of Irish craft breweries.

Here are my 3 highlights of the Fest:

1. Attending with the Dublin Ladies Craft Beer Society

This is a brand new group for craft beer loving ladies. The Craft Beer Fest was the first outing. Ideas and craft beer stories were shared I felt like we clicked immediately. I can see great friendships developing through our common appreciation of proper beer. There are still not that many girls on the Dublin craft beer scene, so this group is a fantastic way for the ladies to meet new friends who share their obsession. I'm super excited about our next events and I can't wait to meet more fellow female craft beer fans! So girls, check out our Twitter, Facebook, and Meetup pages to learn about our upcoming events. We have a lot of things planned, for the next few weeks, such as batch parties, beer talks, beer & food pairings, Oktoberfests around Dublin, and so on. JOIN US! :)

2. The Randall from Black's Kinsale Craft Brewery

It was really interesting to watch the beer going through the Randall, and it tasted absolutely delish! The hops made a huge difference to the taste and this was my favourite new beer I tried at the Fest. I hope many will follow the example of The Bull & Castle and install Randalls in their bars!


3. Buying a growler from J. W. Sweetman

At last, growlers have arrived in Dublin! They are a very common thing in the States, but a novelty to most of us here. Mr. S. and I were very excited when we started seeing these appear here. We just HAD to get one, so we popped back to the Fest on the Sunday and picked one up. They were not allowed to fill them at the Fest as no off-sales were allowed. But when you buy one in their pub, the price you pay gets you the growler filled with beer. There is a special offer rate until the end of September, so get there quick!

I had a brilliant time at the Craft Beer Fest. I met lots of lovely new people and got to try a lot of very good new beers.

Already looking forward to next year!

Antipasti and Wine at KC Peaches Wine Cave

Last night, Mr. S. and I decided to check out a great offer at KC Peaches Wine Cave: An antipasti platter plus 2 glasses of wine for 20 Euro. This offer is on every Wednesday and judging by the pictures on their Facebook page, it sounded like pretty good value for money.

On arrival, the place was not yet very busy, so we chose a table and were greeted by a very nice waitress (the service was lovely throughout!). When we asked for the deal, she gave us the option of red or white house wine, and we both went for white. It was delicious and crisp and turned out to go extremely well with the food.

Arriving next was lovely tomato bread and some butter served on a little slate. The bread tasted super fresh and had a great combination of tomato and herbs (we tasted rosemary and probably thyme). It was so delicious that we had eaten all of it by the time our antipasti arrived!

The antipasti platter was served on a wooden board with a slate inlay. The menu had informed us that it included Jamon Iberico chorizo, Jamon Iberico Cebo ham, Pâté, Smoked Gubbeen, Chulchoill goats log, Coolea extra mature and Hick’s bacon jam plum compote. The presentation was lovely and everything looked delicious!

It tasted delicious, too. In addition to the very tasty compote, there were crackers, olives, grapes, strawberries and walnuts, which all accompanied the cheeses and meats perfectly.

Being an antipasti platter, this is obviously not a full dinner for 2 people. However, it was fantastic value for money and a delightful experience.

Definitely recommendable for a hump day treat! :)