I Would Ride 500 Miles But I Won't Ride 500 More

They said I was mad.  Well that's not really true, though Mrs W did look at me weirdly in the dark when I proposed the idea at 1am one February night.  That idea being motorbiking to all of Northern Ireland's physical micro/nano brewery sites in a short designated period (later to be decided at 36 hours).  I love my craft beers and I love riding my bike but the two don't like each other for obvious reasons.  However this was an acceptable way of combining them both.

So once I got the idea in my head, that was that.  Lots and lots of emails/texts/DMs later, 24 breweries were contacted (there are other contract breweries in NI but they couldn't be visited for obvious reasons) and a route planned - all for a specific charitable cause which can be found here.

August 15th arrived and I set off at 8.10am on a gorgeously warm and sunny Monday.  I had 36 hours to bike 500 miles and visit 24 breweries.  Let's do this!

ROUTE 500:
Carrickfergus, Mid Antrim, Ballycastle, Portrush, Derry City, Greysteel, Plumbridge, Donaghmore,
Enniskillen, Derrygonnelly, Armagh, Newry, Kilkeel, Ballygowan, Greyabbey, Belfast, Hilden, Derriaghy.

1. Hillstown, Ahoghill - MONDAY 8.55am

2. Barrahooley, Martinstown 9.30am

3. Glens of Antrim Brewery, Murlough Bay 10.30am

4. Lacada, Portrush 11.15am

5. Dopey Dick, Derry 12.30pm

6. Walled City, Derry 1.00pm

7. Northbound, Campsie 1.30pm

8. O'Connor Craft Beer, Greysteel 2.15pm

9. Pokertree, Carrickmore 4.15pm

10. Red Hand Brewery/The Brewer's House, Donaghmore 4.45pm

11. Inishmacsaint, Derrygonnelly TUESDAY 10am

12. Sheelin, Bellanaleck 10.30am

13. Station Works, Newry 12.30pm

14. Mourne Mountains Brewery, Warrenpoint 1.10pm

15. Whitewater, Kilkeel 2.00pm

16. Farmageddon, Ballygowan 4.30pm

17. Ards Brewing, Greyabbey 5.15pm

18. Bullhouse, Newtownards 6.00pm

19. Hercules, Belfast 6.30pm

20. Boundary, Belfast 6.50pm

21. Knockout, Belfast 7.00pm

22. Brewbot, Belfast 7.20pm

23. Hilden 7.45pm

24. Black Mountain Brewery/Speckled Hen Pub, Derriaghy 7.55pm

MISSION COMPLETE IN 35 HRS 45 MINS!

So many thanks to mention...
- First of all, to Darren at Pokertree who helped me pick the bike up when I dropped it in his drive!!! :-(
- To every single brewer who answered their email/texts/messages, gave up their time to meet me on the run, encouraged me and donated money or stock to be balloted for charity.  Anyone wanna win some beer?
- To Kim at Fastway Couriers NI who enthusiastically gave her support and pledged to transport the donated stock after the run.
- To the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen for discounting the family rooms on the Monday night. (Mrs W and the kids drove to Fermanagh to meet me at the halfway point)
- To everyone on social media who liked, shared and retweeted my progress over the 36 hours.
- To the higher entity who provided the massive orange ball in the cloudless sky for the entire two days.  The dry roads made for a wonderful and memorable ride around Northern Ireland.
- And finally to everyone who donated to the charitable cause, again details here.  Over £1,100 raised.  I'm genuinely humbled by your generosity and kind words.

Thank you,
Roy

Carrig Brewing Co

Last month I had the great fortune to be able to take a weekend away with Mrs W to Drumshanbo in Lounty Leitrim.  And lo and behold there's only a brewery in the town - ahem.  Opportunity grasped, we headed along to Carrig Brewing for an impromptu visit.

Oisin and head brewer Daniel made us feel very welcome, telling us all about their brews and letting us get stuck into some of their wares.  

First up is Whiskey Coalface, a 6.5% ABV variation on their original Coalface Black IPA that's been aged in The Shed Distillery whiskey casks (also from Drumshanbo)...

An enticing dark colour with mild whiskey notes on the nose, the whiskey comes through wonderfully more smoothly upon tasting.  This black IPA isn't overbearing or sharp, just enough to make you long for open fires and snow on the ground outside.  Or maybe that's just me?

Next a very secretive red ale that Daniel said was like a rum and coke and, y'know, he wasn't wrong. This was probably my favourite of all the brews I tried from the brewery - I was going to describe it, but a less-sweet rum n' coke is probably right.  It's a pilot brew for an American importer and that's all I can say because they wouldn't tell me any more.  I really hope this makes it onto our shelves soon.

Finally on to Iron Mountain Stout.  At 4.5% ABV it's a sessionable dry stout with a delicate roasted coffee aroma and taste.  Maybe I detected a touch of vanilla in there too or maybe that was the beer w.nker element kicking in.  Regardless, it's a solid stout that will appeal to many.

Cheers to Sinead, Oisin and Daniel for their fantastic hospitality and enthusiasm.  Good luck with the new FVs too and see you at Dublin's Irish Beer Festival in September.

Battle of the Cloudwater DIPA

Manchester based Cloudwater's much-hyped DIPAs (Double IPA) have become a bit of a thing over the past six months or so.  I don't know if they deliberately under-produce or have their marketing machine cranked up to 11 but fair play, they sell out in minutes.

I didn't get to try the original DIPA but to date their best for me has been the superb v2, consumed 9 days after bottling and as fruity as a RuPaul/Boy George duet while manfighting with mangoes and passion fruit. Um Bongo on speed, bliss.

v3 was something similar, a beery grapefruit and orange pith combo but just... not... quite v2.

But that was then and this is now.  Time for v4 and v5.

v4 first.  Label says dry hopped during fermentation.  Slightly fruity aroma, slight fizz, doesn't seem 9% abv, thinner than other DIPAs, not as fruity as hoped and certainly not the fruit bomb of v2. Hmmm, lets see what v5 brings.

Much cloudier.  Label says dry hopped after fermentation.  Again a little touch of fizz and well hidden alcohol, though this has more of the gummy mouthfeel of a DIPA.  Still not as fruity as v2.

In my opinion v5 edges v4 but where they really comes to life is with a blending of the two.  I'll be honest and say I was reluctant to do this at first.  Why should the customer blend the two, isn't that Cloudwater's role, to decide how the beer is made?

Three blends were created, 75% v4, 50/50 and 75% v5.  In my opinion a half n half mix was the perfect combo: dank passion fruit, mango fizz, sublime, everything that I recall about v2.
The 75% v5 came in a close 2nd (not as fruity) with the 75% v4 a distant 3rd. (too thin)
It seems strange that both versions were below CW's high bar but a mix of the two created some sort of Utopia.

So is the v4 and v5 a genuine test of which is better or a clever Cloudwater marketing ploy to make you buy 2 beers?  You decide.

Or maybe just opt for their other DIPA Three's Company, which is a belter. Confused yet?

Old Kid on a Different Block

The first Belfast Craft Beer Festival took place recently at Custom House Square.  Run by the same folk who are responsible for the Irish Craft Beer Festival at the RDS in Dublin, it was good to see another festival in our capital.  Great to have so many Irish brewers from both north and south of the border all in one place - as well as beer, cider and whiskey there were some tasty food selections on offer too; pies, curries, burgers, pizza, cheese. That'll do nicely.  Thankfully the rain stayed away although it was still baltic! Maybe next year have an enclosed marquee?

Below are a few of my highlights of the festival...included in the list but minus photos are Farmageddon's cask Impy Porter and keg Wolf IPA .

First up and on cask, a new barrel aged red from O'Hara's.  As you would expect, smoother than the standard red with lots of vanilla up front.

O'Hara's Barrel Aged Irish Red - 7.5% ABV

Next, another new one from co-op brewery Lacada in Portrush.  Made with the addition of ivy honey from the brewer's own beehive.  Some honey beers have a hint of sweetness, not this one.  Boom!  Honey to the fore, a real cracker.

Lacada's Ivy Honey - 7.5% ABV

Another corker and at this strength, a triple red IPA to be greatly respected.  So called as it's the first brew by new Galway Bay head brewer Will and last by outgoing Chris.  A total hopbomb.

Galway Bay's Change of the Guard - 11.5% ABV

One of the few bottles I had during the fest and I was so happy to see this as I'd been wanting to have it for a good while.  From Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan, Brehon's Shanco Dubh porter is as smooth as Roger Moore's Bond with lots of coffee and dark chocolate going on and a hint of sweetness.  More please!

Brehon's Shanco Dubh Porter - 7.7% ABV

From just outside Derry/Londonderry (whatever, ffs) another wee hop sensation.  70 represents its IBU bitterness (as do all Northbound beers - 08, 26, 33, 34, 47 & 70)

Northbound's Magnum 70 - 6% ABV

Bar of the tent goes to Hillstown Brewery.  

Again congrats to the organisers and thanks to all the brewers for the craic and pints.  Here's to 2017.

When Beer and Politics Collide

The Northern Ireland public go to the polls on 5th May to elect a new Stormont assembly but do politicians actually listen or respond to the ordinary man and woman in the street?  At this time when they're knocking on doors and pleading for your vote, why should you vote for one candidate over the other?  Do you really know what their stance is on issues that matter to you?  Using a pseudonym, (I've no idea why either) I put on my beer hat the other week and contacted all 15 candidates standing in my constituency of East Antrim to see what they had to say.

Here's my email -
---
Ahead of the upcoming election in May, I have a couple of questions which would go someway to deciding who gets my vote in East Antrim.  I am interested to know if...

1.    You would support small Northern Ireland breweries by introducing a new category to the licensing laws to allow them to 'sell at source' ie, sell beer directly to the public from the brewery ... and to encourage global brewers such as Diageo (Guinness) and Tennent's (who both own the vast majority of NI pubs) to offer a guest draught beer option to improve the small NI brewer's access to the market.

2.    You are in favour of changing the licensing laws at Easter to bring them into line with the rest of the UK.

Craft brewing has never been as popular as now in Northern Ireland but the industry can only survive with help from local government.  At the moment this is not happening.

Regards.
---

Time passed. Six replied, nine did not.  Here are the replies, some more positive than others, but that's for you to decide, as is where your valuable 1,2,3 etc vote goes on the ballot paper.

Thank you for getting in touch. 

As it happens I am so what of an amateur Brewer myself and would totally support the introduction of a new category to the licensing laws. I believe many of our laws here are totally archaic and I would fully support the Easter licensing law being brought into line with the rest of the U.K.  

I hope this helps and if you have any other questions please feel free to get in touch. 

John Stewart - UUP
---

Thank you for your letter.   

As you may know Sinn Féin will be launching our manifesto on April 27 as part of the Assembly election campaign.   

However, given space and the need to keep it manageable we are restricted as to how much we can include.   

As a party it is not our practice to endorse other manifestos, rather we go to the electorate seeking their mandate on our own manifesto.   

We would hope that our manifesto sufficiently addresses the issues that you have raised and will allow you to support Sinn Fein on May 5th.

Oliver McMullan - SF
---

Thanks for your email in relation to brewing. 

I cannot claim to be an expert in the licensing laws, but I have been working alongside Hospitality Ulster (previously Pubs of Ulster) to modify the laws in Northern Ireland in the new Assembly term. Only last week I held a meeting of publicans in the Newtownabbey area to discuss what reforms are necessary in order to assist the hospitality industry and I have given my support to any sensible reforms without delay. 

On the issue of ’selling at source’, I am sympathetic to a new category of license, not least because of the growth of local breweries and distilleries in NI. 

It is my understanding that once the new Assembly is elected a package of reforms will be introduced and you will be able to make an input into this piece of work. 

Alastair Ross - DUP 
---

You raise a couple of interesting points. I would support a change to the licensing laws to try and help the trade. I would also be interested in helping the small Independant brewers. I have discovered a few locally recently and I for one would appreciate the products being made more available with more people getting the chance to sample some excellent products . 
Again thank you for the email and raising these issues and if I can help any further please get in touch.  

David Hilditch - DUP
---

Thank you very much for your email in relation to my views on the licensing laws in Northern Ireland.  I am certainly in favour of changing the licensing laws as at present we seem to have some nonsensical inconsistencies in regard to when and where alcohol can be sold and I am more than happy to ensure that those are changed and indeed our First Minister, Arlene Foster, has already committed to changing the licensing laws at Easter time and I am more than happy to support any such efforts.

With regard to the other issue that you have raised about allowing breweries to sell at source.  This is not an issue that I have had raised with me before, however I am more than happy to look into this and see what action we can take and what changes could be made.  Certainly if you have any further information for me in regard to this I am more than happy to consider it and will certainly ensure this is an issue that is considered at the start of the next Assembly term, should I be returned. 

I hope this information is helpful to you.  If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.

Gordon Lyons - DUP
---

(Updated response 25 April)
I can not say I am an expert in Licensing laws myself but I have been committed to learning more about them. 

It is in my best interests to support all small businesses as best I can & listen to what they want. Therefore I would support change to licensing laws that includes changes to licensing laws at Easter to bring them into line with the rest of the UK. 
However I stress that incentives must be offered to workers i.e triple pay, Their rights must be protected and they shouldn't feel obliged to work on Easter. 
A concern that I have heard frequently is helping Draught beer access the market; this is a big concern that needs addressed; Diageo & Tennants won't permit it, only their own brands. As a possible public representative, I will raise this concern & I will do my best to address this concern.

To help do as much as we can for small N.I breweries: myself, party colleagues & some local bar owners from East Antrim, would love to have the opportunity to meet the owners & workers to discuss what we can potentially do for small Ni breweries.  

Conor Sheridan - Labour Alternative 
---

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. 

15 candidates are standing.

East Antrim 2016 Assembly election
Party		Candidate
	UUP	Roy Beggs Jr
	Alliance	Stewart Dickson
	Alliance	Danny Donnelly
	DUP	David Hilditch
	UKIP	Noel Jordan
	DUP	Gordon Lyons
	PUP	Jim McCaw
	SDLP	Margaret Anne McKillop
	Sinn Féin	Oliver McMullan
	UUP	Maureen Morrow
	Green (NI)	Dawn Patterson
	DUP	Alastair Ross
	Labour Alternative	Conor Sheridan
	UUP	John Stewart
	TUV	Ruth Wilson

A St. Patrick's Day alternative

It's been an interesting couple of months in the Northern Ireland beer scene.  Newcomer Bullhouse Brewing near Newtownards launched its first two beers, Boundary had its first birthday, Lacada released a cracking limited edition stout and there's also a hot chocolate from Mourne Mountains?

Bullhouse is so called as the brewery used to be...a bullhouse.  But you knew that was coming, right?  Brewer Willy Mayne has been adventurous by starting off with an imperial coffee stout and a Comber potato infused saison!  If there are other spud based beers in Ireland, let me know as I don't know of any.

Because I've never had a spud beer before I didn't really know what to expect.  It's of saison ilk, pours golden-amber and certainly one for the summer days ahead.  I got some slight potato-starchiness but I'm not sure if that was the placebo effect taking hold.  Anyway, Über Tuber is a great name for a spud beer.

On to the 8% abv El Capitan stout and this is great stuff.  Good body, slight coffee aroma and the coffee continues into the taste.  A good start from Bullhouse, and I love the artwork on the labels.

Co-operative brewery Lacada from Portrush also launched the first of their new limited edition Salamander Series: Utopian Stout. I had the privilege to taste this from cask when it was launched in Portrush town hall and I'd go as far to say this is one of my favourite new NI beers this year.  A very tasty stout - hints of chocolate and coffee with a slightly sweet edge.  The cask version was only available for the launch night, though it is available in 8% abv bottles around the north coast and in selected Belfast locations.

Mourne Mountains' new 6% abv Chocolat Chaud is another dark hit.  Again as you would expect, choc and sweet coffee notes on the nose but this South Down stout has a very distinctive taste of clove and orange that mix well with the chocolate.  It reminded me slightly of their recent Pumpkin Porter but with a fuller stout body.

So this St Patrick's day, there's more of a stout to experience than just Guinness.  Give your taste buds the break they deserve and try one of the above.

Iceland: Land of Ice, Fire and Lava Smoked Stout

Iceland - a land of mystery and intrigue, of volcanoes and glaciers, and of beer since... 1989?

Yes folks, Icelandic prohibition was only lifted 27 years ago since coming into effect in 1908.  Ok that's not technically true, spirits have been legal since 1935 but a ban on the sale of what the Icelandic government termed 'strong beer' remained until '89 - that strong beer being over 2.25% ABV!

And that lifting of the ban gave me great joy when I recently visited Iceland for the third time to celebrate Mrs W's 'significant' birthday.  In between snowmobiling across a glacier and sampling some fantastic fish dishes we visited some cool and funky little bars in Reykjavik such as Kaffibarinn although be warned - this place for some reason prohibits any photography up at the bar, beer geeks and Untappd users take note.  If popping in, make sure you say hi to the barman from Hillsborough, County Down, he has a degree in Icelandic!  Edit: I've since been informed the photography ban eradicates selfies with celebrities or drunken social media pics, apparently.

If you find the Lava Smoked Imperial stout by Ölvisholt Brugghús, get ready for a taste sensation.  It possesses a great smokiness that hides the 9.4% ABV so be careful how many you have.  Also very tasty but going out of season now is the Kaldi Súkkulaði or Chocolate Porter from Bruggsmiðjan.

Lava Smoked Imperial Stout and Chocolate Porter

Like Northern Ireland, craft breweries in Iceland have shot up in number since 2010.  The new Bryggjan Brugghús at the edge of Reykjavik port is well worth a visit.  When I visited there was the in-house brewed pale, lager and IPA, guest draught brews from Borg and bottles from other breweries on the island.  This is a very modern brewpub-restaurant where you could lose an entire day drinking but watch your spending, it ain't cheap.

Bryggjan Brewery

Bryggjan IPA

Other craft beer bars such as Skúli Bar or Íslenski Barinn serve a great selection of Icelandic beer and the world renowned Mikkeller and Friends can also be found in Reykjavik.  It was a coincidence it was the closest bar to our hotel, honestly!  Just make sure your wallet is sturdy enough and the credit card isn't prone to melting at the thought of beers costing upwards of £20 for 400ml!  Yeah you read that right.  Though the average is around £6-£8.  My inner Ballymena man is away for a lie down just writing this.

Mikkeller and Friends bar

Mikkeller Mexan Ranger - a great chilli stout

20 pumps of beer - all at an eye watering price

Omnipollo's Nebuchadnezzar at Skúli bar

From Norway, 7 Fjell's Svartidiket Black IPA

A good tip is to pick up some 6-packs of local brews at the airport when leaving for home.  Bottles of Víking Ölgerd Einiberja/Juniper Bock or Borg Brugghús Úlfur Nr 3 IPA can cost less than £2 each with Borg's Garún Nr 19 (11.5% ABV stout) less than £3, a serious bargain.  Congrats to Keflavik airport for having such a variety of great local beer on sale, Northern Ireland airports should take note - THIS is how to stock local beer for departing tourists!

Borg's popular Úlfur Nr. 3 IPA

Reykjavik is a great city to discover emerging new breweries. It's only a couple of hours by plane from Belfast and the locals are very accommodating and friendly.  Oh by the way, did I mention to bring plenty of money?  Skál / Cheers!