Supporting craft breweries

Zaph

Ivefoundgod wrote: »

Its mental how successful Rockshore looks to have been. Almost overnight there was people I know who were devotees of rockshore all of a sudden, usually switching from Coors Light but even some lads I know who would drink Heineken normally switched to Rockshore.

They've also been successful in getting non-beer drinkers onside. My sister, for example, would never let a drop of beer pass her lips because she hates it so much, and yet she's happy to drink Rockshore. And I've heard of similar stories from people I work with. It's designed to be as inoffensively nondescript as possible for those who are happy to have a bottle of something cold and yellow (ish), which is fine by me if that's what they want to drink. However I do remember hearing a barman on the radio a while back being asked what the worst drink he'd ever served was, and he didn't even hesitate before saying Rockshore. That says it all for me.

L1011

Pen Rua wrote: »

Do you mean the leg changes banning €X for Y type deals, or are there more changes on the way?

That's what I meant; there will be more changes on the way if the Government doesn't stop listening to neoprohibitionists though.

RonanC

Pen Rua wrote: »

From their Instagram (again), their new session IPA is going to be a fridge pack of 8 cans (330ml) for €12 which is €1.50 a can. It seems like it won’t be under the Curious Society brand but then other posts suggest it will. A little confusing branding / marketing decisions going on here.

I just picked up the 6-pack of the session IPA for €10 in Matsons in Cork.

L1011

Replacement White Hag bingo box arrived today, first one never came. 24 330s and 6 440s, no stouts

youcancallmeal

L1011 wrote: »

Replacement White Hag bingo box arrived today, first one never came. 24 330s and 6 440s, no stouts

The original one may turn up eventually and then you'll have 2 boxes. Would be tough getting through all that on your own!

LollipopJimmy

L1011 wrote: »

Replacement White Hag bingo box arrived today, first one never came. 24 330s and 6 440s, no stouts

If its in the Hoppy Xmas box there's a discount code hidden inside the flap at the bottom.

Had you ordered a dark or bright box?

L1011

Bright, and its in a generic box; presumably they actually used all the Hoppy Christmas ones)

Basq

My "Bright" one from last week was just the bog standard box too.

youcancallmeal

Some Ballykilcavan and 12 Acres in Lidl from tomorrow. Not really bargains but something to look out for if you do your shopping there

youcancallmeal

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Some Ballykilcavan and 12 Acres in Lidl from tomorrow. Not really bargains but something to look out for if you do your shopping there

They’re a bit far out with the County Mayo on the 12 Acres listing. Was hoping they’d have more of the range, especially Far Side.

BonnieSituation

Pen Rua wrote: »

When I've been over in the States in the past, it was 90% multipacks at 10% single units broadly speaking. The laws could have been different in the state I was in (Nebraska). I was totally put off by the multipack offerings because I don't want to commit to 4/6 units of a beer (even if I love it). Much bigger fan of one unit at a time.

Do you mean the leg changes banning €X for Y type deals, or are there more changes on the way?

It's funny you say that.

I'm cracking up looking for a multipack of a decent pilsner.

There's enough room for a load of individual cans of speciality stuff, and lord knows my pantry is crammed full at the minute, but sometimes you just need a pilsner/lager/kölsch without bankrupting yourself in Martin's of a Tuesday.

Delighted to see this from Larkin's. I'll be jumping all over it as soon as!

And it's nearly February...

BeerNut

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I'm cracking up looking for a multipack of a decent pilsner.

Rheinbacher from Aldi.

BonnieSituation

BeerNut wrote: »

Rheinbacher from Aldi.

I get that the odd time too.

I probably should have qualified my post with "Irish" pilsners.

For the price that Larkins one would be as good as any to try.

BeerNut

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I probably should have qualified my post with "Irish" pilsners.

Manislav from Tesco. Not a multipack, but at €1.47 a bottle it may as well be. Highly recommended.

Macy0161

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

They’re a bit far out with the County Mayo on the 12 Acres listing. Was hoping they’d have more of the range, especially Far Side.

Maybe it was later in the year, but last year they had Far Side and Winter is Coming, as well as the two they have this time. They had 3 or 4 Four Provinces that time as well, so may have been a craft beer special rather than the "kick start" that's on now. Anyway, I do actually like the two 12 acres they hopefully still have in stock this evening!

I'm due a revisit of the Ballykilcavan Red, but for me they do their beers better in cans rather than the bottles - iirc they bottle condition, but don't can condition so whether that's the difference I don't know (but bottle or can conditioned doesn't bother me in general).

Aglomerado

Macy0161 wrote: »

Maybe it was later in the year, but last year they had Far Side and Winter is Coming, as well as the two they have this time. They had 3 or 4 Four Provinces that time as well, so may have been a craft beer special rather than the "kick start" that's on now. Anyway, I do actually like the two 12 acres they hopefully still have in stock this evening!

I'm due a revisit of the Ballykilcavan Red, but for me they do their beers better in cans rather than the bottles - iirc they bottle condition, but don't can condition so whether that's the difference I don't know (but bottle or can conditioned doesn't bother me in general).

I've just been into my local Lidl and Winter is Coming was in stock. I picked up 4 of them. Ample stock of the Hazy IPA (purple can also) and the IPL/ IPA that were advertised (got some of those too ) I always make a special trip to get my hands on the 12 Acres when I can.
No sign of Ballykilcavan for me, I also wanted some of the hoppy red, loved it last time.

andekwarhola

BeerNut wrote: »

Manislav from Tesco. Not a multipack, but at €1.47 a bottle it may as well be. Highly recommended.

Excellent beer at any price but especially at that price.

Not as good as Manislav or Rheinbacker, but I find the Aldi Rossini a decent chugger too.

BonnieSituation

I have always ignored it given the usual awfulness of such beers at that price point in Tesco.

I look forward to grabbing a couple over the weekend!

BeerNut

andekwarhola wrote: »

Not as good as Manislav or Rheinbacker, but I find the Aldi Rossini a decent chugger too.

Absolutely!

Macy0161

Aglomerado wrote: »

I've just been into my local Lidl and Winter is Coming was in stock. I picked up 4 of them. Ample stock of the Hazy IPA (purple can also) and the IPL/ IPA that were advertised (got some of those too ) I always make a special trip to get my hands on the 12 Acres when I can.
No sign of Ballykilcavan for me, I also wanted some of the hoppy red, loved it last time.

Wicklow Lidl had all the 12 acres as above, and the Ballykilcavan. Picked up a decent number of the 12 acres and a few of the Ballykilcavan.

Got myself a ball of Make Hay yesterday. No Far Side in stock and I'm sick of porter/stout.

Ivefoundgod

Is there any ballykilcavan that people recommend? I think I've tried most of them and wasn't overly impressed with any of them. They're relatively local to me as well so I'd like to support them. 12 Acres is even closer to me but I've tried more or less everything they've put out so will stock up while its available.

Macy0161

Ivefoundgod wrote: »

Is there any ballykilcavan that people recommend?

Brambrick's Brown the stand out for me. I quite enjoy Line Blocker and Millhouse too. I've enjoyed their Clancy's Cans series - you'll probably pick up all 2-4 still. I've only had their standard stout once, and enjoyed it, but you don't see it around much. I think they do better out of a can, even the same beer.

youcancallmeal

Ivefoundgod wrote: »

Is there any ballykilcavan that people recommend? I think I've tried most of them and wasn't overly impressed with any of them. They're relatively local to me as well so I'd like to support them. 12 Acres is even closer to me but I've tried more or less everything they've put out so will stock up while its available.

I've had several Ballykilcavan beers and one thing that always stands out for me is that their version of a style is spot on. Pale Ale, Sour, Red Ale, West/East Coast IPA etc all exactly what I would expect, like not exceptionally good but just solid renditions. I find is pleasantly refreshing as most Irish craft brewers will specialise in one or two styles and put out mediocre renditions of others

grimbergen

I was pricing a few beers tonight for delivery and the price difference between the likes of beer cloud and going direct to the brewer is mind-blowing. 75c per can mark-up plus delivery charge doesn't be long adding up if you've a sizeable order. The only possible downside is you cant mix and match when buying from a single brewer.

I presume it's better anyway to be buying direct from the brewer?

MidlanderMan

grimbergen wrote: »

I was pricing a few beers tonight for delivery and the price difference between the likes of beer cloud and going direct to the brewer is mind-blowing. 75c per can mark-up plus delivery charge doesn't be long adding up if you've a sizeable order. The only possible downside is you cant mix and match when buying from a single brewer.

I presume it's better anyway to be buying direct from the brewer?

Consumer in realisation that buying direct from manufacturers is usually cheaper shocker.

TaurenDruid

grimbergen wrote: »

I was pricing a few beers tonight for delivery and the price difference between the likes of beer cloud and going direct to the brewer is mind-blowing. 75c per can mark-up plus delivery charge doesn't be long adding up if you've a sizeable order. The only possible downside is you cant mix and match when buying from a single brewer.

I presume it's better anyway to be buying direct from the brewer?

Depends on the brewer. Some allow you to mix, or at the least have mixed 'taster' boxes.

the beer revolu

MidlanderMan wrote: »

Consumer in realisation that buying direct from manufacturers is usually cheaper shocker.

Except it very often isn't.
For the simple reason that producers tend to not undercut their wholesale customers.
Shocker.

It’s a rarity not to have to buy a heap directly. Off licence is better for variety.