TOPIC:

Will be overnighting in one or the other next month. Which is better for a) food, b) beer, c) general ambiance? I need to decide.

I know Cobh has sea views, plenty of hotels, but is there anywhere for a good beer? Midleton has the Hanging Monk or whatever it's called, but it only seems to have one hotel?

It has been a few years since I was in Cobh but back then, there were a few good spots for decent beer. It's not craft beer central though and that was years ago. Things could be better or worse now.
One thing I notice is that nothing is listed for Cobh on BeoirFinder at the moment.
Maybe the Cork lads will have a better idea?

I was in Midleton last month and craft beer is a little scarce on the ground ... and in the bars. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

The Mad Monk had a good few taps but when I visited the information on their chalk boards was out of date, some taps empty and the range wasn't great for what it had promised when I walked in. It's not a bad bar by any means but needs to tighten up on its stocking and information from what I saw. Food was ok too but they seem to be trying to be all things to all people, which rarely works. Worth a visit though imo.

We stayed in the hotel for 2 nights and it was fine - no craft in the bar so settled for expensive Beamish ... once. Good breakfast selection and good staff though.

We found Sage restaurant exceptional food-wise and they stock ten or so bottled craft beers. (I have a slowly-progressing blog post nearly done on my visit there!) The attached Green Room was impressive on our visit too.

I was there with the family so wasn't in many bars but I scouted a little and didn't find any other craft beer in any other places. It's a nice-ish, busy town though with a few interesting buildings and the distillery too of course.

I can't help with Cobh as I haven't been there in years. It sticks in my mind that I had the worst italian meal I've ever had there <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( --> , and that I didn't like the town itself ... but I plan to go back soon to see if it - or I - have changed.

Not sure if any of that helps.

Sage would be a big draw for me to go back to Midleton.

Thanks for the info Liam. While we'll be in both anyway, I might leave the mental lad in Midleton to himself as Cobh seems to have a number of options which I think we'll focus on.