TOPIC:

A number of breweries in the UK and USA sell their beers directly to the public in various measures. Bottles, mini kegs etc.

I'm not aware of any Irish brewery doing this.

Is there a law preventing breweries from retailing?

Would they be seen to be competing with the pubs, ie their own customers?

Or is it just not a feasible market in Ireland?

I believe you need to have an off licence to sell direct. It'd be more in competition with other off licences I'd assume. The reason it's done in the US is because a lot of people don't live near the pub so they get growlers filled and drink draught beer at home.

In practical terms it'd be a nightmare for most Irish breweries. A lot of them are small 1-2 men(or women) operations and they'd not have the time to be dealing with people coming in off the street looking for beer.

Breweries are allowed sell to the public in bulk under their manufacturer's licence, but would need an off licence to sell smaller amounts directly. Besides, why trek all the way out to an industrial estate for beer you can get in an off licence or supermarket?

I was more interested in the minikegs, beerboxes, polypins etc than bottles plus I'd like to be able to order online.

What a great concept, I'd love to be able to order minikegs online direct from the brewery!

Metal man had a tweet up there recently showing a pallet of mini kegs. It might be something they have in the pipeline already.