FATHER’S DAY IS this Sunday. And if you’re anything like us, you’re still wondering what to get the old man. (Dads are difficult as they traditionally only like golf, jumpers, and leather mobile phone cases.)
The answer: an Irish-brewed craft beer. It’s local, it’s beer, and he can drink it with a Sunday roast. Here are some suggestions:
1. For the dad who likes the black stuff: Brú Dubh
Creamy like Guinness, but more interesting in flavour. AND your money is going into the pockets of a few lads in Meath instead of a multinational megacorporation. What’s not to like?
For a more adventurous stout, try O’Haras Leann Follain or Rascal’s Ginger Porter.
2. For the ale drinker: Big Hop Red by Rascal’s Brewing
It looks enough like a certain well-known Irish ale that he won’t be put off. But the taste is worlds apart: a full-flavoured beer with plenty of hops and enough caramel to balance it in the mouth. Try him on this and he’ll never look back. (Probably.)
3. For the adventurous dad: Irish IPA by White Hag
If the auld lad is up for something a bit more adventurous, you might try him on this. One of the best IPAs to come out of Irish breweries in the last couple of years, the Irish IPA is a strongly-flavoured (and pretty strongly-everythinged – it’s 7.2 per cent alcohol) take on the hoppy beer style. Delicious.
4. For the lager man: Remix by Trouble Brewing
There are lots of good Irish lagers, but this special brew – no, not like THAT Special Brew – from Trouble Brewing is one of the most interesting. It’s brewed with Summer and Mosaic hops for a fuller flavour, on top of that crisp lager finish. (Feel free to inform your dad of this so he can impress his mates.)
5. For the Galway man: Of Foam and Fury by Galway Bay
Galway Bay Breweryhave been a driving force in bringing craft beer to a bigger audience in Ireland, and this is their championship-winning brew: a powerful, very hoppy double IPA. Available in bottles or on tap at any of their own pubs in Galway and Dublin.
6. For the pale ale fan: The Chancer by O Brother Brewing
O Brother Brewing - three brothers from Bray, Co Wicklow - are one of the newest names on the Irish craft brewing scene, but they’re already making waves. Their American-style pale ale The Chancer is a flavoursome but easy-drinking beer (perfect dad material) AND it won Best In Show Pale Ale at the recent Killarney Beer Awards.
7. For the Erdinger man: Elbow Lane Arrow Weisse
A Bavarian-style wheat beer coming straight outta Cork city, this cloudy beverage is made in a ‘nanobrewery’ at the Elbow Lane restaurant. Happily, it’s also available in bottles. Delicious. (And rumour has it it won’t give you *quite* such an appalling hangover.)
Happy Father’s Day everyone!
