RDS Craft Beer Festival Sep 4-7

BeerNut · 05-09-2014 12:08pm

irish_goat wrote: »

Best beer for me so far s 8 Degrees Scottish ale

Great stuff altogether. Anyone pining after Amber-Ella should be content with this. Also on tap in The Norseman at the moment, I believe.

drumswan · 05-09-2014 12:20pm

Ravelleman wrote: »

Roughly how much of the beer is on cask?

I only had one cask beer and it was very warm, similar to previous years.

Losty Dublin · 05-09-2014 12:50pm

drumswan wrote: »

I only had one cask beer and it was very warm, similar to previous years.

Barrelhead Porter is slightly cooled at the tap and it benefits from same.

drumswan · 05-09-2014 12:57pm

n97 mini wrote: »

What was wrong with it?

It wasnt sour for a start.

BaZmO* · 05-09-2014 1:16pm

BeerNut wrote: »

I think last year showed that the festival format really doesn't do cask many favours.

Indeed. Although that does get me thinking if that's the reason why Dungarvan aren't here this year.

drumswan · 05-09-2014 1:20pm

Now I remember, half of White Hags stuff is for export only. I can guess which half.

solomafioso · 05-09-2014 1:20pm

Thanks a mil for the pointers (earlier posts). I've a ticket for the Saturday which includes two 1/2 pints.

So, asking the experts here which two should I go for? (I do have a varied palette....except ciders. Unfortunately, they don't agree with me!).

MonkstownHoop · 05-09-2014 1:42pm

Chasing the dragon by trouble was lovely, as was crazy horse by mountain man.

banjopaul · 05-09-2014 2:49pm

BeerNut wrote: »

Great stuff altogether. Anyone pining after Amber-Ella should be content with this. Also on tap in The Norseman at the moment, I believe.

Not on yet but going on once Amber Ella runs out apparently. Barman also said they might be getting a keg of the White Hag oatmeal stout soon.

Heading to the festival in a couple of hours on free tickets I won, can't wait.

noby · 05-09-2014 2:54pm

Note to self: stop reading this thread. *jealous face*

matrim · 05-09-2014 2:55pm

This is me right now

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhn6bdD3nn1qaw1g0o1_500.jpg

Losty Dublin · 05-09-2014 2:57pm

solomafioso wrote: »

Thanks a mil for the pointers (earlier posts). I've a ticket for the Saturday which includes two 1/2 pints.

So, asking the experts here which two should I go for? (I do have a varied palette....except ciders. Unfortunately, they don't agree with me!).

If by cider you mean Bulmers or Strongbow then try the ciders on the show and see what genuine cider is all about.

As for your two complimentary drinks, you can't be planning on stopping there, can do?

solomafioso · 05-09-2014 3:03pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If by cider you mean Bulmers or Strongbow then try the ciders on the show and see what genuine cider is all about.

Hmm, yeah might have a go. I know there are more ciders out there. The only one I tend to go for is Savanna Dry, but I wouldn't stay on that. Fecks up my stomach!

Losty Dublin wrote: »

As for your two complimentary drinks, you can't be planning on stopping there, can do?

Oh jaysus no! :pac: But on the other hand, I don't intend to get messy drunk either. Just wanted to garner what would be a good way to start the 'show'...as it were.

Friend told me he wishes he stayed on 1/2 pints when he was at a Beer Festival. For obvious reasons!

jsa112 · 05-09-2014 3:10pm

Anybody try that Blacks IPC - 16% ipa/cider hybrid ?

Losty Dublin · 05-09-2014 3:22pm

solomafioso wrote: »

Oh jaysus no! :pac: But on the other hand, I don't intend to get messy drunk either. Just wanted to garner what would be a good way to start the 'show'...as it were.

Friend told me he wishes he stayed on 1/2 pints when he was at a Beer Festival. For obvious reasons!

Perhaps you walk around the room first off to get your bearings and to see what you might fancy. Asides from that, stick to a half pint at a time, don't swill them down too quickly, avail of a sample taste or suggestion if you are unsure (A few of the beers are about double the ABV conventional pub beers so care is needed), chat away to your friends and do avail of the food and fresh air if you need it

Ronan|Raven · 05-09-2014 3:26pm

solomafioso wrote: »

Thanks a mil for the pointers (earlier posts). I've a ticket for the Saturday which includes two 1/2 pints.

So, asking the experts here which two should I go for? (I do have a varied palette....except ciders. Unfortunately, they don't agree with me!).

Try the Sheep Stealer from Black Donkey.

BeerNut · 05-09-2014 3:28pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

stick to a half pint at a time

The glasses are all half-pint this year. Bigger isn't an option.

Sparks43 · 05-09-2014 3:32pm

Will the Ireland match be shown on sunday?

Looking forward to heading over

Ronan|Raven · 05-09-2014 3:32pm

Sparks43 wrote: »

Will the Ireland match be shown on sunday?

Looking forward to heading over

Apparently so, the Hurling as well.

Yarghhh · 05-09-2014 3:34pm

BeerNut wrote: »

The glasses are all half-pint this year. Bigger isn't an option.

Am I understanding you can't get a pint at all then?

BeerNut · 05-09-2014 3:35pm

Yarghhh wrote: »

Am I understanding you can't get a pint at all then?

That's correct. 90% of pours last year were half pints, apparently.

Yarghhh · 05-09-2014 3:42pm

BeerNut wrote: »

That's correct. 90% of pours last year were half pints, apparently.

Didn't expect that but in anyways makes little difference

schemingbohemia · 05-09-2014 4:17pm

Yarghhh wrote: »

Am I understanding you can't get a pint at all then?

I suppose you could sneak your own pint glass in and buy two halves and then pour them into your own pint glass, but it'd be a bit of a palaver.

Point is really to try a variety of the amazing selection on offer.

matrim · 05-09-2014 4:22pm

The 2 reasons I liked the pint glasses
1. If you had a good chat with the barman / brewer they would often make it 3/4 of a pint instead of a 1/2
2. After you've tried a good few beers and decided which one you like. You can get a pint and not have to worry about going to the bar again for a good while.

Losty Dublin · 05-09-2014 8:58pm

BeerNut wrote: »

The glasses are all half-pint this year. Bigger isn't an option.

I mean try a half pint of a beer and then move on to another type of beer

quadrifoglio verde · 05-09-2014 9:12pm

BeerNut wrote: »

That's correct. 90% of pours last year were half pints, apparently.

That's because the lovely brewers were giving people a nice bit more than half. Nearly 2/3

stimpson · 05-09-2014 9:17pm

Galway bay are selling branded pint glasses for 2.50

slayerking · 05-09-2014 10:00pm

Great night tonight, so much exceptional beer. I'm not gona list all I drank, all I'll say is.... People get down there and try white hag's imperial oatmeal Stout. Absolutely amazing stuff! Early days yet but so far, beer of the festival. A danger at 10+ %

Ronan|Raven · 05-09-2014 10:24pm

slayerking wrote: »

Great night tonight, so much exceptional beer. I'm not gona list all I drank, all I'll say is.... People get down there and try white hag's imperial oatmeal Stout. Absolutely amazing stuff! Early days yet but so far, beer of the festival. A danger at 10+ %

It is an amazing stout. Looking forward to an early start tomorrow.

toffeeshel · 06-09-2014 12:31am

drumswan wrote: »

I've just remembered through my hangover haze that most of white hags range is export only and not destined for the Irish market.

The Wit and IPA are the core range for Ireland. There will always be a seasonal for Ireland (currently White IPA- next up Octoberfest) The Bog Ale and Imperial Stout are core export and the seasonal export is the Heather Ale.
Rest assured that some export will be held back for the specialist trade in Ireland

Hidden Cyclone · 06-09-2014 12:02pm

Oh god, my head hurts

White hag do some really good work. Their white ale was lovely.

Judging by threads on here Founders Porter has been sampled by most but it was first try last night. Absolutely gorgeous. Their all day IPA wasn't great but I did like Centennial

Ronan|Raven · 06-09-2014 12:21pm

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Right so, Saturday.

Shall we say 7pm at...8 Degrees?

Will be there from 2pm or so if anyone wants to meet for a glass drop a message here.

G rock · 06-09-2014 1:42pm

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

Will be there from 2pm or so if anyone wants to meet for a glass drop a message here.

If anyone is here now, drop a reply in here if they want to meet up. (this sounds like a dodgy lonely hearts column)

Blut2 · 06-09-2014 1:58pm

Whats the food selection like this year? Any use? I'm debating whether to have dinner before heading in this evening, or to eat there. Can't seem to find a list of food vendors on the website or any social media.

MonkstownHoop · 06-09-2014 2:28pm

Blut2 wrote: »

Whats the food selection like this year? Any use? I'm debating whether to have dinner before heading in this evening, or to eat there. Can't seem to find a list of food vendors on the website or any social media.

Dave's woodfire pizza, a crepe van, Jane Russell sausages, a pieman and 1 or 2 others, the pizza is lovely

Lovely Bloke · 06-09-2014 2:46pm

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

Will be there from 2pm or so if anyone wants to meet for a glass drop a message here.

Deffo man I'll be there just after 5

Uriel. · 06-09-2014 3:44pm

Heading over now. My sister was over last night and had 2 drinks voucher left over and gave them to me, can these be used today?

JayRoc · 06-09-2014 3:59pm

Just heard from the lads at the Dark Horse that the Galway Bay stand was selling 200 fathoms?!

Did anyone happen to notice if they still had any today, cos I would crawl over broken glass to get my paws on more of that stuff...?

Ronan|Raven · 06-09-2014 4:16pm

Uriel. wrote: »

Heading over now. My sister was over last night and had 2 drinks voucher left over and gave them to me, can these be used today?

bought at the till then yes

Ronan|Raven · 06-09-2014 4:18pm

JayRoc wrote: »

Just heard from the lads at the Dark Horse that the Galway Bay stand was selling 200 fathoms?!

Did anyone happen to notice if they still had any today, cos I would crawl over broken glass to get my paws on more of that stuff...?

Asked guy at stand it is as good as gone. Small bit left on keg

PropJoe10 · 06-09-2014 5:19pm

JayRoc wrote: »

Just heard from the lads at the Dark Horse that the Galway Bay stand was selling 200 fathoms?!

Did anyone happen to notice if they still had any today, cos I would crawl over broken glass to get my paws on more of that stuff...?

It was sold out very fast last night so unless they have another cask for today you might be out of luck.

Some incredible beers were had last night. Favourites would've been the Trouble Brewing Chasing The Dragon and the White Hag Imperial Stout. Foam and Fury not too shabby either!

matrim · 06-09-2014 5:36pm

I think galway bay have another keg for today but not sure

nosietoes · 06-09-2014 5:42pm

jsa112 wrote: »

Anybody try that Blacks IPC - 16% ipa/cider hybrid ?

Yeah I had two tastes of it - one from each of the brewers. I absolutely loved it - it would be amazing instead of a dessert wine with cheese or foie gras. Desperately want a bottle of it. Ooh thought it would be great over ice cream as well especially a walnut or cinnamon one.

Ronan|Raven · 06-09-2014 6:08pm

So much scrumpy...

snowblind · 07-09-2014 5:08am

White Gypsy sour for the diacetyl trophy. I know I should have asked for a sniff/taste but there were a lot of people hanging around the bar. Smells like: butter. Tastes like: butter gone off in some water. Totally turned me off a brewery that has never really given me anything more than meh anyways.

Some really shoddy quality control going, how are you actually selling beer that is totally off?

Good beers too, of course, sadly a lot of pale ale upon a pale ale upon a pale ale etc...catching a bit of 200 fathoms was nice!

penev10 · 07-09-2014 9:39am

snowblind wrote: »

Some really shoddy quality control going, how are you actually selling beer that is totally off?

It's deliberately "off", the guy said they leave it in the sun for the bacteria to do their thing and voila. Thought it was rank myself. One of my mates couldn't rid himself of the taste even after 6 more beers!

snowblind wrote: »

Good beers too, of course, sadly a lot of pale ale upon a pale ale upon a pale ale etc

The Irish palate/market seems fairly narrow alright, a lot of very similar stuff with "the hoppier the better" being the mantra extolled by most of the brewers I was talking to.

youcancallmeal · 07-09-2014 10:45am

Had a great night last night. White Hag stand out as brewer of the festival for me. Barrelhead brewery were interesting as well, they had a very nice amber that tasted like a stout!? Was disappointed with most of the festival specials I tried. O'Hara's Hop Heavy had an almost skunky taste? Eight degrees Alba Abu was only okay, I was probably expecting too much after Amber Ella.

Heroditas · 07-09-2014 12:01pm

On my way to it now. I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve.

RasTa · 07-09-2014 12:06pm

Really liked the Galway Bay Blue Monday stuff, West Kerry brewery had a nice coffee porter and final favourite was White Hag's stout. Kudos also to Kinnegar for their Blackbucket.

irish_goat · 07-09-2014 12:23pm

The White Gypsy sour is a French style Biere de Garde. They brewed the beer then aged it for 6 months in French oak that had been deliberately left to left sour bacteria form. After that they blended it with fresh Biere de Garde. It wasn't to my taste but a lot of people who enjoy sour Belgian beer liked it.

RDS Craft Beer Festival Sep 4-7

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