Whether you be new to the world of craft beer or a seasoned pro, you may not be aware that Hilden Brewery near Lisburn is the oldest surviving independent brewery on the island of Ireland and turns 40 years young in 2021. Hilden brews, including the likes of Twisted Hop, Headless Dog and Belfast Blonde,…… Continue reading A Birthday Trilogy. Part 3: Hilden
If you’re reading this blog post, you’re possibly a fan of independent microbreweries. You’re also probably a fan of the pub, and a good pub atmosphere is something I’ve missed for quite some time now. While lockdown restrictions continue to curtail the opening hours of most of our hospitality sector, I want to reflect on…… Continue reading Pub Dreams
“Tis the season for stouts”, they say. “Load of rubbish”, I reply. Stouts are for all year – not just winter, though I’m sure there’s a better sounding slogan in there somewhere. Let’s round up a small handful of Irish stouts, north and south, and see what happens. Before you ask, I do own more…… Continue reading Stouts: The Orange, the Peanut, the Ginger and the Bourbon
Anyone who starts a commercial brewery is to be applauded but to do so in 2020 is deserving of a medal. Or maybe a brain examination. It’s normally tough enough and these days it’s even tougher. Add to the mix if you live in the Portglenone area and you see the challenges that lie ahead.…… Continue reading A Bloodline to Portglenone
It’s hard enough for small, independent breweries in Northern Ireland to get their beer into bars and off licences so when Covid-19 hit last March and closed both those routes to market, the writing was on the wall. Many breweries began selling and delivering via their own hastily assembled webshop and thankfully off licences were…… Continue reading Downward Sales (Except NI?)
