Dublin Beer Views

Well that was a very civilised Friday night in, my brothers dropped over, we watched the match (finally a win for rovers) we shared a few beers, we got Indian food in, we waffled a lot and we watched the Blur documentary - no distance to run but the beers I hear you cry... well.... Adnams Innovation Leffe Triple Whitewater's Belfast Ale Old Engine Oil Budvar Dark My brother's strange Bock And the 750ml swing top is my own homebrew Bock

I don't go to Superquinn that much any more. Many reasons, recession (yes I said it), not a fan of the store makeover in the last few years, its pretty dark and badly laid out, and there are three nearish to me that all feel the same. Oh and don't get me started on some of the developers who bought it out in the noughties... SRFC has a long memory lads. Anyway was in on Paddy's day, felt like treating ourselves to doughnuts Duvel - €3 Adnams Innovation, yes really on a supermarket shelf - €3 (something, look I forgot ok) 59c, actually, which is cracking value to my mind They also had other Adnams brews - Bitter (€2.99), which is very quaffable, Lighthouse too, which is not really for me

Now, I spent a silly amount in the Drinkstore that night 2 weeks ago (in prep for Paddys day) and I had brought along a bottle of homebrew for the lads.. so they presented me witha Brucie bonus on leaving... a bottle of Ola Dubh 16. I mentioned in a blog a few weeks ago how I love Old Engine Oil and Ola Dubh 12, but never had 16. Well I do now.... hmmm, I do have it, I just cant seem to drink it!!! Its on the "Special shelf". I must find a spare hour and have a treat

I love OEO, love it, its proper Stout. Dark and malty and sweet and bitter. yum. From the same brewery as Ola Dubh (see below blogs for school girl giddyness) its not aged in anything particularly special than time. Getting back to my intention to track price and value, Deveney's of Dundrum have it on Special at €1.99 a bottle (its 6% ABV) which is cracking value. Half my 4 are gone already. Great beer, great service, great offer oh and goldfish had only good things to say too!!!

So it was Paddy's day, traditional to get blathered etc etc and waffle some rubbish about some horse race in the UK (I just dont do horse racing) Anyway I wasn't doing that so I thought I'd try my samples of the Porterhouse's new bottled stouts (well it was March 17) I picked up bottles of Plain, Oyster and Wasslers in the Drinkstore (thanks lads) Now I enjoy a pint of Oyster if I am out in Town so I was delighted to hear of the new bottling plant The Porterhouse have constructed. I was a little disappointed to find that the beers were going out in 330ml bottles, but hey ho. As I do like an Oyster I couldn't resist and dived in... its smooth and yummy and has that slightly sweet tinge that the oysters add... next was Plain, my mistake was taking that after Oyster, I know its terrible but it tastes, well Plain. I just never opt for it on tap as Oyster is there.... its nicer out of a bottle than draught guiness ina widget can so I was happy enough. But then, wasslers.

Available at Lidl right now at €1.89 a bottle... its light, fresh, hoppy. Good beer value.. EDIT - tasted, ok, kinda fresh and citrusy and hoppy but not in a round, crafted type of way, more in a this taste, then that taste sort of way. I'd say its refreshing to glug on a warm spring/summer evening. recently had a bottle of SN 1698 and it was similar, not bad, just not particularly great. I'm not sold on this brewer at all

http://www.truebeer.com/All-Beer-Glasses_c_1.html If you know where I can find these in Dublin, please please let me know Seriously this is going to be expensive !!!!!!!!! http://www.drinkstuff.com/products/beer-glasses.asp?gclid=CKT65oKJrKACFRk_lAodmgttZA&currency=EURO

Ok, so I had to leave Dublin, but I was delighted when stood at a bar in portlaoise, contemplating whiskey and ginger for the night or whether I'd risk the Guinness, to see some pint bottles of Smithwicks in the fridge... proper carbonation in a bottle, much nicer rounder taste, yes its only 3.8% but it was lovely. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/B-M-K/P100306_223759.jpg