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"And you really recommend using your false teeth to aerate the wort? Jaysus I'll try that!"

Had a good day Saturday at the Festival, met some familiar faces and some new ones, great banter going on..

Hey Dempsey was your head "Thor" on "Thunday" morning????

We headed to the Bierhaus after the Well for a couple, and then over to the Washington Inn and then some chips somewhere and back to the hotel. So no, no House music was had on said evening..

My favourites of the evening were Emerald Pale Ale, Barrelhead, and Purgatory on Cask (draught of this nothing special), also tried the Cul Durcha which I enjoyed also.

So until Easterfest...
Aaron

Just to say how much I enjoyed the festival - so much so in fact that I went on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

My enjoyment was added to greatly by the Beoir members that I chatted to and responded with patience to all my 'daft Larry' questions.

I was able to try cask beers from 8 Degrees, Beoir Chorcha Duibhne, Dungarvan, Trouble Brewing, and UCC for the very first time.

My favourite beers from them included: Knockmealdown Porter, Duibhne Carraig Dubh and Coffee & Oatmeal Stout.

As for Cork's pubs The Abbot Ale Hose (Purgatory Ale) was my favourite with Fionn Barra and its handpulled cask Fullers London Pride easily awarded top marks for 'least expected real ale to sup in Cork'.

As for Dublin I think I made it to most of the 'usual suspects' with Against The Grain's (Tom Crean; my first Dingle beer) new stablemate The Black Sheep (Galway Bay beers sampled for the first time) very clearly a great new addition to the capital's pub scene.

However the most unexpected craft beer I tried anywhere was at the The Long Hall 51, South Great Georges St; a pub I visited for its quite magnificent Victorian interior only to spot a beer I'd never even heard of - Carrig Lager.

Having ordered it the man behind the bar knew his beers well enough to tell me it was brewed in Banagher, Co. Offaly.

So a quick search of the breweries section of this very Site informed me that it came from Brew Eyed even though it seems to be part of a separate business so a 'cuckoo' perhaps?

But anyway that was yet another new 'un for me!

Cheers,
John Holland.

It was nice speaking with you John and I am glad you enjoyed your trip. I'm sorry that I had to make a hasty exit from the Abbot's and head for the train!
John

Had meant to do a post earlier but having pc problems - just lost a draft oif a post for here!

Must say I really enjoyed the festival. Was there on the Friday night, Saturday afternon/evening and again on Sunday evening so able to sample most beers not all in the one session. Great selection with many great beers to taste. Nice to have met up with some new and familiar faces.

Cheers to all in the Well for putting the whole event together. Poor Paudie worked wonders over the week-end manning the bar each time i was there.

Glad some of our visitors also discovered the Abbots - one of our our hidden gems down here!

John Holland - nice to have met you too. I see you acted quickly on my comment on Sunday evening re the Fionnbarra having cask as well - had some London Pride myself there last Thursday and very nice it was too.

Roll on Easterfest!!