TOPIC:

I've just finished my first bottle of St. Mel's Brown Ale.

Is it just me or is this a very well crafted beer? I mean it's not just a 'meh' beer or a ok beer, it's a sit-back-and-enjoy-the-drink-beer, if you know what I mean. It's got depth and complexity and doesn't have to pile on the hops to get it's message across.

There was a time when I would stretch for American, Danish, Belgian or wherever beers over Irish ones (apart from a few favourites) but now I'm drinking mostly Irish brews. (I should think so too, I hear all the Beoirites say!)

So my question is, when did we (Not me obviously but the big we as in Ireland.)become a world class brewing nation?

Because in my opinion we are...

Carlow Brewing, White Gypsy, Porterhouse and others paved the way and they've been joined by Black's, Trouble, 8 Degrees, Galway and all these new brewsters that seem to be appearing almost weekly.

I would love to drink solely Irish beers but I really don't think we're a World Class brewing country yet. I think a lot of current and new breweries are bringing some very average brews to the market, in particular any pale ale. I really like how Galway Bay are beginning to push boundaries and 8 Degrees have done some top quality and consistently good beers but the rest, albeit the odd beer, are quite average.

This might come down to taste as well but I find a lot of Irish beers to be bland and low quality in comparison to their American and Belgian cousins.

"Vermelho":3mhutnzg wrote: I would love to drink solely Irish beers but I really don't think we're a World Class brewing country yet. [/quote:3mhutnzg]


Have you tried 8 degrees amber ella or vic secret?

What does World Class even mean?

I think the bar has been gradually raised in Ireland, but I guess we don't have the several decades (can we say that yet?) of microbrewing experience that you have in the U.S. Or even the real ale culture of the U.K, and Trappists in Belgium....

To be honest I do mostly drink Irish made beer now, a conscious choice. I don't feel I'm missing out that much, for the most part. I agree new breweries like St Mel's do appear to be bringing their "A" game from the word go.

The other observation I'd make is that not all international microbreweries are titans like Odells and Founders etc. ...There are quite duff brewers in the U.S and U.K too <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

There's a couple in Ireland that I would say compete well on the world stage.