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"Beer Novice":tr21t4sl wrote: Carlow is a desert as far as selection is concerned. Ye city folk don't know how lucky ye are!!!!!
Even my closest good one (Kilkenny) does not have it and they DO have a good selection.

Mind you I was being slighly sarcastic.... <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

As you might have guessed from the name, I'm pretty new to this so I am still working my way around the beers I CAN get. This will be a way of sampling a few in one place.
I have never been to Galway <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: --> so will make a weekend of it with a few friends and have a bit of fun.[/quote:tr21t4sl]
You'll enjoy it, there will be plenty of beers to choose from and it will be a fun event. My only point is that the festival last year was promising but could have had more of an Irish presence. I'm disappointed that this promise has not been realised - in fact it appears the Irish lineup will be dramatically reduced this year. If the biggest craft brewer on the island can barely break even at the event it is my opinion the organisers are taking too much of a cut.

I'm going over old ground here but given the festival's name they should try to ensure that it includes Irish breweries even if it means foregoing a few pennies. If it means charging distributors a higher fee than breweries then so be it. Everyone would benefit in the long term.

For me the [i:tr21t4sl]real[/i:tr21t4sl] Great Irish Beer Festival remains the EasterFest at the Franciscan Well and I can't see that changing any time soon.

It is my first time looking at their website - while there are certainly some interesting beers on the menu and the food looks good too I certainly do not think it merits the title Great Irish beer Festival or anything like it. I think to hold an Oktoberfest Beer Festival in Galway it is great to have such a selection by all means but come on guys you are pushig it big time by calling it a Great Irish Beer Festival.

I think the Easter Festival in the Franciscan merits award for this title and the good folks there are far too modest to adertise that title. Maybe change the title of the festival and you might get more credit.

Havig said that hope it does well and all who go there have a good time. Two good beerfests in Cork that week-end too!!!!

Aftersubmitting my last entry I see Bigears sent one at the same time - mine is not a response to his - just a coincidence we both did the same at the one time with the same sentiments!!

I agree with all the points made above and, as ye say, it's all been covered before.
I do think it's a money making exercise and is no way an advert for Irish brewed beer and yes they have a cheek calling it what they have.
Having said that, anything that opens peoples minds to something other than 'The Usual' can only be a good thing. I'll be bringing a few converts with me too and I know when they come back they will be on the hunt, like me, for something new and with the likes of Whitewater now available in bottles and others showing signs of bottling it will help Irish brewing.
That's my opinion anyway. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

I will make the case to anyone who will listen there for having Irish beer at the next one.
Or quiz them as to why there is none.

Will do my best to get to EasterFest and up to Dublin to Porterhouse this month.
Us country boys might get awe struck in such surroundings! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I know I'm in danger of opening up another can of worms but you know me...

There are some new beers added to site but only one Irish one.

What's the verdict on the new beers added?
Meadery sound interesting.
Barry Fitz's group is there too.

Still glad I'm going! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Tried the American ones this evening[/url:xifblnx6], and they're generally a good bunch. The Speakeasy pale and amber ales are particularly good.