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"Tube":9fjo63ye wrote: That's students for you Derek. Used to be the same in Darrer's: big sellers Linden Village and Hoffs, usually at the same time.[/quote:9fjo63ye]

A deadly snakebite - if the two of those don't give you a headache you are dead!

Darrers, now theres a blast from the past! I found one of their plastic bags on a beach in Corfu once - was that you and your lazy student friends? <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

Just been to the Tesco branch on Baggot Street, the one nearest the Green.

Great range. Came away a few bottles including Clotworthy Dobbin, Belfast Black, Shipyard IPA and Ruddles. The Porterhouse bottles are a steal, in my opinion, at 1.50 each. Though they only had HopHead, hersbrucker, red and oyster stout in stock. I'd be stocking up on the Wrasslers if they'd had some. Planning on making some return visits to replenish my "commericals" cellar.

I can see how micros would be wary getting into bed with a retail bohemoth like Tesco, but anything that raises awareness of good beer is a good thing. Personally, buying commercial craft beer has become more accessible to me. It means I can pick up nice beer in the supermarket without making special trips to Redmonds, O'Briens etc., which are more out of my way.

That's not to say I'm going to stop frequenting the smaller retailers though.

&amp;quot;Tube&amp;quot;:pt6sihbr wrote: Superquinn have a much better selection than Tesco. Much better. They used to do 6 for €12, but now they do 6 for the price of 5. Most beers are €2.49+ so it really depends on what you buy.[/quote:pt6sihbr]

I was amazed recently to see Superquinn stocking Goose Island IPA, SN Torpedo and a couple of Brewdog beers. Wow.

Big shift going on in beer retailing it seems.

Had a look today at the range in Tesco's Wilton In Cork .

5 for a tenner deal is a steal alright ( But I'm not a thief )

They had a few unusual german beers , and the usual english ales , and the Hilden Stuff

I can only imagine it help if the average joe can walk into a Tesco, see it on the shelf and pick up a craft beer to try it. They may then realise that it's not nicer and maybe more n more pubs could start stocking them.

Who knows. Stranger things have happened. It certainly helps me as I have no local place near me to go pick any up and I could just get the OH to pick some up whilst shopping.

Tesco Cabra also got in a new shelf of beer in.
Loads of English ales. They got the Whitewater range in also which I raided there!! (Clothworthy Dobbin, Belfast Black, Belfast Ale and Copperhead).
No Porterhouse or SNPA etc. Still a great selection all the same!

With both Superquinn and Tescos upping their beer game in a big way, I can see why the likes of Drinkstore or Redmonds might be getting a little bit nervous.
The off licences still have a little edge in the fact that you can get the one offs and the hard to get beers not to mention the fact that you can have a chat about beer and/or ask for recommendations.