One of Belfast’s longest standing public houses has taken the bold move of removing the majority of its international beer brands in favour of showcasing products from local breweries. The Sunflower bar re-opened under new management in 2012 but there has been a bar on this spot for over 100 years. The bar has [...]
Publicans all over the country are calling on the Government to amend the licensing laws to permit all licensed premises to trade normally on Good Friday. The two main representative groups, the Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland, have described the current law which prohibits the sale of alcohol on Good [...]
The Smithwick’s Homebrew Challenge 2017 invites homebrewers across Ireland to brew a special summer fruit ale. Smithwick's Senior Brand Manager Paul Dunkin talks about this year's challenge and why Smithwick's is heroing homebrewing. Now in its second year, the Smithwick’s Homebrew Challenge is a celebration of the ups and downs of brewing; whether it’s an [...]
Irish produced whiskey has never been as popular, garnering international acclaim and recognition. Maev Martin talks to Diageo Brand Ambassador and Master of Whiskey Peter O'Connor about the drinks giant's decision to move into the premium Irish whiskey category. Diageo recently launched a new premium blended Irish whiskey, Roe & Co. The move into [...]
Irish bartenders were out in force in March as Germany's The Bitter Truth and Ireland's Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, both represented in Ireland by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits, created some bespoke cocktails. Maev Martin spoke to The Bitter Truth founder Alexander Hauck shortly after he arrived in Dublin. Leading mixologists and bar owners from [...]
A celebration of the start of spring, La Primavera is marked in Italy with flower and food festivals that take place during ‘Festa della Primavera’. This year, Peroni Nastro Azzurro brought La Primavera to Dublin with a two-day pop-up market in Temple Bar's Meeting House Square on March 30th and 31st that was open to the [...]
The newest addition to Glendalough Distillery's award-winning gin collection, Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin, was launched in JT Pims in Dublin on January 31st where guests sipped it in a wild Irish G&T with Poachers Tonic, just one of a menu of craft cocktails paired with venison and pork belly canapés. Guests included some of the [...]
Last month Powers Irish whiskey launched Powers 1817 Release, a special limited edition whiskey commemorating this year’s bicentenary of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the rich heritage of the Dublin pub. Powers 1817 Release is a 10-year-old, single pot still Irish whiskey. Triple distilled and non-chill filtered, it personifies the style of whiskey that [...]
Dalcassian Wines & Spirits has announced further expansion with three senior appointments. Co Down native Frank O’Hanlon takes up the role of Commercial Sales Manager following 30 years working in the licensed trade north and south of the country. Frank spent 27 years with Diageo Ireland heading up sales and commercial management roles in both [...]
Teeling Whiskey's Global Brand Ambassador, Kevin Hurley scooped the award for ‘Industry Legend of the Year’ at the 2016 Irish Craft Cocktail Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements in the Irish cocktail industry. The ‘Industry Legend of the Year’ award recognises an exceptional individual who, in their professional life, has made a stellar contribution to the [...]
