Rick O'Shea

Well, I don’t know about you but the moment the sun pops out for its annual 6 day pilgrimage to Ireland I feel the need to grab beers I like and sup them preferably in an outdoor setting… As usual, some thing I’ve had recently I think you might like include… Look, I know it’s fairly hard to come by at this stage but I sensibly squirrelled a case of it away when it came out and this is number three. It is SPECTACULAR… The baby above is Solemn Black, the new Black IPA also from Galway Bay and their […]

Another month, another few ideas for things you might like to stick in the fridge and then stick in front of you… First off, a location. We ended up in The Villager in Chapelizod at a birthday party. Downstairs seems fairly ordinary but the upstairs has been completely revamped – full of cocktails, craft beers in bottle and a nice vibe. Worth a wander if you’re out there. Tried the first of the new Yellowbelly series of beers – you have to love whoever is doing their graphics for them… 8 Degrees have a a new one, and yes they […]

Right then. It’s been a while since the last post so, for the first time in 2016, here are a few crafty beer ideas that might be useful. All tried, all good… These two, both from the barrel aged series by Stone Barrel are both super and easily the best beers they’ve made so far… I *wish* there was more of this from Trouble Brewing. It was lush… The Northern Monk is super, have a had a lot recently and the O Brother Max is a great session. Children Of The Revolution is at least as good as any of the […]

It’s been a little while but, to be honest, I tried the dry January thing so little new beer was tried. Since then it#s been interesting. Best thing I had at the Alltech event in the Convention Centre (and I had little as I was MCing the day!) was the barrel aged Black Boar from White Hag. Pricey at 20 quid but absolutely delicious… Also managed a day in London. Managed one and some food in the new Brewdog Soho. Great selection, like the food. Bit big and barn-like and it was quiet when we were there but I presume […]

Just as I did in the middle of last year in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Seoul, I thought I’d take a few pics and write up a little about craft beer watering holes that I found along the way over Xmas in Copenhagen. We were only there for a few days so realistically only got to try three spots, two of which are owned by the giant of Danish craft beer that is Mikkeller. First was this. The old Copenhagen meatpacking district might not seem like the best idea for a place to be late at night until you look to […]

Just like last year, a few ideas of beers that I thought were the absolute best I had in 2015. No, they’re not all beers that were new for 2015 (although some are) – just ones I tried for the first time in the last 12 months. Enjoy…