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Brewery Corner, Kilkenny

It's not a brewery and it's not on a corner, but Kilkenny's leading craft beer pub can now boast national recognition having been awarded the 2013 Craft Beer Pub of the Year by Licensing World Magazine.

Even though the pub has only been in business for less than six months, the award will come as no surprise to anyone who has visited: perhaps uniquely among Irish pubs, every beer on tap comes from an Irish microbrewery and the selection is wide-ranging. Although the premises is owned by the Carlow Brewing Company it is heartening to see such support being given to the smaller producers.

The pub itself is clean and modern with some nice traditional touches including open fires. The staff are well trained, extremely helpful and show a genuine enthusiasm for craft beer.

Congratulations from Beoir to all who have made Brewery Corner such a success in a short space of time.

Brewery Corner: 29 Parliament Street, Kilkenny.

(Picture from Facebook)

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Last month, the business media reported that two of Ireland's larger and more established craft breweries had merged. One partner, BRÚ Brewery, was already the product of a previous merger, when last year the owners of Carrig Brewing in Leitrim acquired BRÚ, adopted its brand and moved beer production to BRÚ's facility in Meath. The deal also brought the five Dublin venues owned by BRÚ and Carrig under one umbrella. To this has been added the current eleven pubs run by Galway Bay. That includes The Oslo in Galway where the brewery began in 2009, though it now runs a full-sized production brewery in Oranmore. Brewery mergers and takeovers are usually not good news for beer consumers, coming as they do with the baggage of closed sites, retired brands and loss of choice. Shortly after the news broke, I caught up with Jason O'Carroll and Andy Byrne of Galway Bay in the group's newest opening, The Beer Temple in Dublin, and a week later had a quick chat with James Dunne of BRÚ, to find out what will happen to the brands, the pubs and most importantly the beer under the new arrangements.

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Our late friend Andrew Moore made a point of contacting Irish breweries each year for a list of their seasonal Christmas beers. The tradition has been continued in his absence. See below for a list of what Ireland's small and independent breweries are releasing for Christmas 2022. 

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Keep an eye out for the latest issue of Business & Finance magazine which will feature the Irish Craft Brewing industry. The issue hits the shelves on April 20th and will also be on their website  www.businessandfinance.ie

More details to follow...

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Irish Craft Beer Festival

A summary of some of the beer festivals coming up in late summer 2013.

Burren Brewery Craft Beer Festival, Lisdoonvarna, 2-4 August
Based at the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, three days of live music, food from the Burren smokehouse and beer from the onsite Burren Brewery.
 
Annascaul Beerfest, Annascaul, 2-5 August
A charity event among the pubs in Annascaul Co. Kerry over the Bank Holiday weekend. A variety of Irish and international beers will be on offer and proceeds this year go to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
annascaulbeerfest.wordpress.com
 
Doolin Craft Beer Festival, Doolin, 23-25 August
Now in its second year, the Doolin Craft Beer Festival takes place at Hotel Doolin. Once more the beer will be matched with local food and traditional music.
 
Hilden Beer and Music Festival, Hilden, 23-25 August
A fixture in the Irish beer calendar for many years, once again the Hilden Brewery near Lisburn will host a festival on the last weekend in August. 35 beers and ciders from all over Ireland and Britain will be on offer plus rock music on the main stage and trad in an adjacent tent.
 
Irish Craft Beer and Cider Festival, Dublin 5-8 September
The largest showcase of Irish craft beer and cider, making its third return to the RDS for an extended run. Irish beers and ciders from all over the country will feature, as well as international guests and Irish whiskey.