Republic of Ireland

[marksalehouse]

If you ever get to Dublin, try the Templebar area and the Porterhouse (also in Bray). They do a dozen or so of their own brews. All are no pasteurised keg, but thay brew an occassional cask beer. Look for the awards - especially the one from the "Belfast Beer Festival".

Mark

[Tonks]

This is my first time browsing the forums, and I'm pleased to see the Porterhouse chain mentioned- since its probably the best microbrewery and indeed pub (period) operating in Dublin these days.

Not just in Templebar alone, at that, since more have sprung up in Bray, Phibsboro, Drumcondra and London (supposedly San Francisco as well, but I think it might be a case of same name, different group of people).

Two reasons I am fond of the Porterhouse:-

1- The widest selection of bottled beers from all over the world are available, in marked contrast to the competition. While most Dublin bars these days will stock a few eastern european products like Budvar and Staropramen, the Porterhouse has a beer list of about a dozen pages and hosts two festivals per year with guest beers from the continent. If you bring in a bottled beer the Porterhouse doesn't stock, then they'll give you a free pint. Worth a laugh.

2- The Porterhouse also brews its own selection of lager, beer and stout. Three stouts, in fact: Plain, Oyster and Wrasslers' XXX, which is based on an old Cork recipe enjoyed by Michael Collins himself (allegedly). Wrasslers is probably the most authentic unpasteurised irish stout you can get hold of these days, and its a potent 5.4% or so. Porterhouse lagers include pilsner styles, an american style and the fine 'Temple Brau' premium lager. Also on tap are the 8% 'An Bhrainblasta' and a red ale.

As you can tell, I'm a fan (and I've never worked there, I promise).

[Fast_Eddy]

Welcome aboard, Tonks.

[MeridianFC]

The Porterhouse is an outstanding beer bar. Their beers are very solid, some quite formidible. The only downside to the place at all is in season, hell all year round, it gets absolutely heaving at night. Murderously packed.

Nice traditional session on Sunday.

[steveh]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
The Porterhouse is an outstanding beer bar.

I love the different levels that give the place character. I had my first ever Oyster Stout there.

Is it the best pub in Dublin? I cast my vote for O'Neills Victorian Pub and Townhouse - in fact, there's an advertising postcard on the wall above my desk, just to my right...mmmm, Guinness and Bushmill's!

S.

[chazwicke]

18 countries and 44 states and I've still never made it to Ireland. I've gotta get there. Maybe in the spring.

Welcome Tonks!

[Richard English]

Without doubt the beer situation is getting better in Ireland. When I first went there it was a lovely place and the bars were full of character. But if you didn't enjoy Guinness then there was little else that was drinkable.

Compared with the other countries of the British Isles, Ireland was always a bit of a beer desert, thanks to the Guinness stranglehold - greater even than that once exercised by A-B over the USA.

Pubs like the Porterhouse have certainly improved things - but, even so, there are relatively few Real Ale pubs in Dublin.

[homebrewer_99]

I was at the Templebar last August ('03).

We toured Ireland for 8 days. I drove over 1000 miles. Great country. The friendliest people we ever met.

My grandmother was born in Kilkenny. I couldn't find any relatives though.

Later.

[Curry]

Last in Dublin and Ireland about six years ago. Loved it all, but developed a strong "gra" for Smithwicks ("Smitticks"). Can't wait to go back to introduce my son to his cousins and the local brews in Ireland (Have dual citizenship, may find a job and stay).

[chazwicke]

I've been tempted to do that in England.

[Curry]

You should probably look into that. When I applied for dual Irish citizenship, you had only to be able to trace your relationship to a grandparent who had been born in Ireland, and you didn't have to reject your American citizenship, which I would not do anyway. The only restriction on a person with dual passports is that you have to enter and leave the States on your American passport. After that, you can use the alternate one anywhere. Slainte!

[tomciccateri]

Over Thanksgiving I found some reasonable beers and a comfortable drinking environment at Messrs McGuire, on the river a few blocks from Porterhouse. In Cork, I found the Franciscan Well brewpub lively, friendly and tasty.
Real ales were very scarce, unfortunately mass-marketed brews and "strong" versions of popular lagers were getting all the taps, while the fizzy brews dominated the bottled selections.

Sláinte

Tom

[noby]

Originally posted by tomciccateri
In Cork, I found the Franciscan Well brewpub lively, friendly and tasty.


I have to agree with you there, Tom. The Francscan is a lovely spot, with some nice beers.

Originally posted by tomciccateri
Real ales were very scarce, unfortunately mass-marketed brews and "strong" versions of popular lagers were getting all the taps, while the fizzy brews dominated the bottled selections.


Unfortunatley, I have to agree with you there too. Although things are slowly changing. Off-licences are carrying a wider selection of beers, and with the price of a pint, people are starting to stay at home.
So now the publicans have to make an effort. No real ales as yet, but wheat beers, budvar, and the like are starting to appear in pubs.

I have even been to another pub in Cork that serves the franciscan brews.