Tom Crean Lager now available on all Aer Lingus flights

BaZmO*

In cans too. That's some coup in fairness.

Is this the first Irish Micro to have their beers available in cans?

Lovely Bloke

"Irish" "Micro"?

drumswan

They are an Irish Micro?

Lovely Bloke

drumswan wrote: »

They are an Irish Micro?

are they?

oblivious

drumswan wrote: »

They are an Irish Micro?

Only the the draught is produced in Ireland, but the bottles product is brewed and bottled in Scotland. Not sure if they are shipping out kegs of the draught to England for canning

drumswan

Well they are Irish and produce less than 30000HL of beer in Ireland, no? Or are we now saying that they are not an Irish owned company?

the beer revolu

drumswan wrote: »

Well they are Irish and produce less than 30000HL of beer in Ireland, no? Or are we now saying that they are not an Irish owned company?

No, we're saying that all the bottles are brewed and bottled outside of Ireland and sold as "Irish Lager".

irish_goat

The cans are no doubt produced wherever the bottles are. Tennents seems to be the predominant rumour.

The news about them being on Aer Lingus flights doesn't really excite me at all. It's a pretty standard lager, not much different from Carlsberg or Heino.

drumswan

the beer revolu wrote: »

No, we're saying that all the bottles are brewed and bottled outside of Ireland and sold as "Irish Lager".

I know. How does that mean they are not an Irish micro though?

oblivious

the beer revolu wrote: »

No, we're saying that all the bottles are brewed and bottled outside of Ireland and sold as "Irish Lager".

Kiltafeely Ballybridge Water sausages :P

irish_goat

drumswan wrote: »

I know. How does that mean they are not an Irish micro though?

It's not Irish beer if it's made in Scotland, so they're not really 100% Irish are they?

It also raises the question of how they are financing such expansion? It might be that they're backed by a businessman with deep pockets but the more likely scenario is that they have a large company behind them. Rumours have popped up elsewhere that C&C are buying them (they own Tennents).

BaZmO*

Ha, I was gonna put Micro in inverted commas but just thought that'd be putting the boot in.

irish_goat wrote: »

The news about them being on Aer Lingus flights doesn't really excite me at all. It's a pretty standard lager, not much different from Carlsberg or Heino.

I'm not a fan of their beer either but you have to be impressed with the exposure they're gonna get from this, although it is a bit saddening that for an Irish "Micro" to get such exposure on the "National Airline" they need to copy the Macros.

drumswan

irish_goat wrote: »

It's not Irish beer if it's made in Scotland, so they're not really 100% Irish are they?

It also raises the question of how they are financing such expansion? It might be that they're backed by a businessman with deep pockets but the more likely scenario is that they have a large company behind them. Rumours have popped up elsewhere that C&C are buying them (they own Tennents).

This is a fairly narrow view of Irishness I think. I dont see how brewing some beer in Scotland makes them less Irish. Its an Irish company, registered in Ireland, which pays tax and duty in Ireland. Or have I got that wrong?

I see the five lamps are 90-odd percent owned by C&C too.

BaZmO* wrote:

I'm not a fan of their beer either but you have to be impressed with the exposure they're gonna get from this, although it is a bit saddening that for an Irish "Micro" to get such exposure on the "National Airline" they need to copy the Macros.

So are you saying they arent a micro? Is this by virtue of the volume of beer they produce or that its contract brewed by a macro?

oblivious

drumswan wrote: »

This is a fairlylove food irelandarrow view of Irishness I think. I dont see how brewing some beer in Scotland makes them less Irish. Its an Irish company, registered in Ireland, which pays tax and duty in

I suspect the people and business behind love food ireland campaign not agree with

irish_goat

drumswan wrote: »

This is a fairly narrow view of Irishness I think. I dont see how brewing some beer in Scotland makes them less Irish. Its an Irish company, registered in Ireland, which pays tax and duty in Ireland. Or have I got that wrong?

If I buy a barrel of French wine would you think it'd be ok for me to bottle it and sell it as "Chateaux Goat - Irish Merlot"?

In the grander scheme of things, why bother having "country of origin" labels at all if any Irish company could just import stuff and claim the product is Irish?

drumswan

Good point goat but not the one I was addressing. Even if a company carries on such underhanded nonsense to pimp their watery lager, it doesnt make them less Irish. Are Franciscan Well not considered Irish now either?

irish_goat

drumswan wrote: »

Good point goat but not the one I was addressing. Even if a company carries on such underhanded nonsense to pimp their watery lager, it doesnt make them less Irish. Are Franciscan Well not considered Irish now either?

Not really. They're owned by a multinational based in North America and currently get some of their beer made in the UK, as Irish now as Diageo are.

JessePinkman

Must be the first craft can i have seen ! Well done Dingle

BaZmO*

They've just put up a video on their Facebook of the beer being canned..

yosser hughes

JessePinkman wrote: »

Must be the first craft can i have seen ! Well done Dingle

Dingle? What's this beer got to do with Dingle?

minidazzler

irish_goat wrote: »

Not really. They're owned by a multinational based in North America and currently get some of their beer made in the UK, as Irish now as Diageo are.

They're owned by a Multi-national. But from the looks of things Franciscan Well is running the same as always, by Irish people, in Ireland. But with a greater financing package than they'd ever be able to achieve independently. Overall, as long as the quality of the beer doesn't fall and Molson Coors don't send over 20 suits to take over the operation, it's still Irish. (though, with 75000 HL, craft is open to be discussed.)

JessePinkman

yosser hughes wrote: »

Dingle? What's this beer got to do with Dingle?

Company is called "Dingle Brewing" and is based in Dingle,Regardless of what goes on elsewhere it's still a Dingle based company :rolleyes:

irish_goat

minidazzler wrote: »

They're owned by a Multi-national. But from the looks of things Franciscan Well is running the same as always, by Irish people, in Ireland. But with a greater financing package than they'd ever be able to achieve independently. Overall, as long as the quality of the beer doesn't fall and Molson Coors don't send over 20 suits to take over the operation, it's still Irish. (though, with 75000 HL, craft is open to be discussed.)

There's a whole other thread on it but the jist of my argument was; quality has already fallen, production has been moved to the UK for their core range(with no disclosure), profits will all be exported and competition for shelf/bar space will heat up so they will push out other Irish micro breweries.

yosser hughes

JessePinkman wrote: »

Company is called "Dingle Brewing" and is based in Dingle,Regardless of what goes on elsewhere it's still a Dingle based company :rolleyes:

Fair enough:(
found this

http://www.beoir.org/community/viewtopic.php?p=70665

Tom Crean’s Lager to Explore Irish Market

A new Irish craft brewery, Dingle Brewing Company, are busy preparing for the launch of their premium Irish lager which will be called ‘Tom Crean’s’ in honour of the local man who went on to become a heroic figure in the world of Antarctic exploration.

The Dingle Brewing Company, Dingle, Co. Kerry, a joint enterprise between local business man Jerry O’Sullivan and Kildare publicans Joe and Nigel Flanagan are presently perfecting the first brew of their flagship lager in time for launching into the Irish market this summer.

“We are aiming to rejuvenate the unique atmosphere of socialising in an Irish pub by producing a premium Irish lager which will appeal to both the public and the publican alike” says Nigel Flanagan. They hope to provide a focal point for friends to get together, enjoying that unique atmosphere, each others company and a pint or a glass of ‘Crean’s’.

The brewery is based in the old creamery building on Spa Rd.,Dingle. Opened in 1888 the creamery became the economic epicenter of the Dingle Peninsula and was a vital commercial center for the area, especially after 1916 and the following troubled years which had left the economy, especially agriculture, in a perilous state.

The owners of Dingle Brewing Co., have been mindful of the place that this building has in the history of the area and have lovingly restored it, retaining its charm and character. “By running the brewery and also offering tours to the general public and tourist market the Dingle Brewing Company hope to restore the level of importance which this building had previously enjoyed and make it an essential part of the Dingle experience as well as providing employment for people in the town” says Jerry O’Sullivan.

As well as offering tours they will be producing ‘Tom Crean’s’ Premium Irish Lager’, the first pint of which will be poured, quite fittingly, in the South Pole Pub, Annascaul, Co. Kerry, the very pub, which the great man Tom Crean ran after retiring from his Antarctic expeditions. The lager will be available initially in selected outlets from June/July with more outlets being supplied as demand dictates.

Ravelleman

The thread has descended into the inevitable discussion of where Tom Crean is actually made instead of discussing the merits of said lager or the apparent success they're having.

crockholm

Ravelleman wrote: »

The thread has descended into the inevitable discussion of where Tom Crean is actually made instead of discussing the merits of said lager or the apparent success they're having.

True,but I still find it interesting as I will be on an aer lingus flight soon and whether or not I will choose to have a bottle or two will depend on whether my custom helps people in Dingle or Scotland. Agreed that it is an easily forgettable lager(as most lagers are to me).

Do they plan to relocate the brewery to Ireland once facilities are ready/they reach a certain capacity?

BaZmO*

crockholm wrote: »

True,but I still find it interesting as I will be on an aer lingus flight soon and whether or not I will choose to have a bottle or two will depend on whether my custom helps people in Dingle or Scotland. Agreed that it is an easily forgettable lager(as most lagers are to me).

Do they plan to relocate the brewery to Ireland once facilities are ready/they reach a certain capacity?

They have a brewery in Ireland already, which brews the draught beer. As far is as known, it's the bottled (and presumably the canned) beer that is contract brewed in Scotland. The guys behind the brewery have not been forthcoming with this info to date.

I suppose an email to Aer Lingus procurement department would sort it out, or maybe that's just bad form.

JessePinkman

Ravelleman wrote: »

The thread has descended into the inevitable discussion of where Tom Crean is actually made instead of discussing the merits of said lager or the apparent success they're having.

Well said,Hats off to the the Dingle lads and maybe this will break down some walls from other micro's to pursue avenues that we thought were wrapped up by the macro's.

This could really be a milestone for craft beer in Ireland.

P.S a little detective work from there FB page shows the bottling line with a Bulmers Poster in the background

BeerNut

JessePinkman wrote: »

maybe this will break down some walls from other micro's to pursue avenues that we thought were wrapped up by the macro's.

You mean not being honest with their customers? I certainly hope not.

JessePinkman

BeerNut wrote: »

You mean not being honest with their customers? I certainly hope not.

:rolleyes: Chip on the shoulder syndrome i guess.

Bogsnorkler

JessePinkman wrote: »

:rolleyes: Chip on the shoulder syndrome i guess.

Maybe it sheer necessity that we see Creans trying to get into the space dominated by macro's.

Their product does not really appeal to craft beer fans and IMO was crafted to be as similar to the Macro stuff as to appeal to non craft fans. Therefore they have to come up with different tactics.

I don't think they should be looked at with much disdain because their trying to build a business and carve out a niche as a "craft" beer. Not to say their product can't be criticized or their underhanded marketing. But they can probably get away with it, assuming their target customers don't go to the effort of researching local brewers like many of us do.

Tube

Re the Franciscan Well. If it's made in Ireland using Irish ingredients where available, it's definitely Irish beer. If profits are being repatriated that is a matter for the finance department.

feargale

JessePinkman wrote: »

:rolleyes: Chip on the shoulder syndrome i guess.

If there weren't chips on shoulders the Bastille would still be housing political prisoners,

BaZmO*

Tube wrote: »

Re the Franciscan Well. If it's made in Ireland using Irish ingredients where available, it's definitely Irish beer. If profits are being repatriated that is a matter for the finance department.

Most Irish Micros don't use Irish ingredients.

irish_goat

Tube wrote: »

Re the Franciscan Well. If it's made in Ireland using Irish ingredients where available, it's definitely Irish beer. If profits are being repatriated that is a matter for the finance department.

It's not all being made in Ireland. That would also mean Heineken is Irish.

irish_goat

Here's the menu.

BaZmO*

It specifically says "Brewed in Dingle" in that photo. Hmmm

BeerNut

BaZmO* wrote: »

It specifically says "Brewed in Dingle" in that photo. Hmmm

It is brewed in Dingle. The contents of the can might not be -- Aer Lingus may not actually know whether it is or not; why would they care? -- but some Tom Crean's is brewed in Dingle, indisputably.

BaZmO*

BeerNut wrote: »

It is brewed in Dingle. The contents of the can might not be -- Aer Lingus may not actually know whether it is or not; why would they care? -- but some Tom Crean's is brewed in Dingle, indisputably.

A fantastic play on reality though.

irish_goat

Also, Crean's is "lager" while Heineken is "beer".

oblivious

irish_goat wrote: »

Also, Crean's is "lager" while Heineken is "beer".

Hopping rates :P

BeerNut

BaZmO* wrote: »

A fantastic play on reality though.

The beer business is full of it. As if drinking it wasn't entertainment enough, puzzling out whether the producer is yanking your chain on provenance is also tremendous fun, I find.

JessePinkman

BeerNut wrote: »

The beer business is full of it. As if drinking it wasn't entertainment enough, puzzling out whether the producer is yanking your chain on provenance is also tremendous fun, I find.

Coor's is born high in the rockie mountains also,Carlsberg is Probably the best beer in the world and Bud is the king of beers

Frynge

Just to note, I was on an aer Lingus flight recently and they didn't actually have it on board, talking to a friend who was on two aer Lingus flights and he wasn't able to get it either.

I will be flying with them again next Tuesday so will see if I can get it then.

BaZmO*

Frynge wrote: »

Just to note, I was on an aer Lingus flight recently and they didn't actually have it on board, talking to a friend who was on two aer Lingus flights and he wasn't able to get it either.

It was only just announced. I thought that was obvious by the discussion?

Tube

irish_goat wrote: »

It's not all being made in Ireland. That would also mean Heineken is Irish.

In the case of Heineken, it's the brand that's not Irish, so it's not a direct comparison.

A fairer comparison would be Guinness. Irish brand, Irish ingredients where available, brewed in Ireland = Irish beer. Profits being repatriated.

irish_goat

Tube wrote: »

In the case of Heineken, it's the brand that's not Irish, so it's not a direct comparison.

A fairer comparison would be Guinness. Irish brand, Irish ingredients where available, brewed in Ireland = Irish beer. Profits being repatriated.

I don't really see why the origin of the branding is relevant. It's the beer in the glass and where the profits go that most people care about.

Still not a fair comparison with Fran Well either because at least Guinness is all made in Ireland.

Tube

irish_goat wrote: »

I don't really see why the origin of the branding is relevant. It's the beer in the glass and where the profits go that most people care about.

I wanted to rule out origin of branding as a comparison point. i.e. people consider Heineken to be Dutch, regardless of where it's made.

Do people really care where the profits go? Meteor would be the biggest mobile phone operator (from the days it/eircom was Irish owned), Supervalu the biggest supermarket, Tayto the biggest crisp brand, etc. With so much exposure to foreign companies, both with an enlarged EU and globalisation I don't think most people can keep track of where the profit goes.

irish_goat wrote: »

Still not a fair comparison with Fran Well either because at least Guinness is all made in Ireland.

What F Well beers are not made in Ireland?

irish_goat

Tube wrote: »

I wanted to rule out origin of branding as a comparison point. i.e. people consider Heineken to be Dutch, regardless of where it's made.

Do people really care where the profits go?

I do anyway and it's easy for me to choose between an Irish owned company ro or a foreign one. You're right about globalisation but then you could argue that Guinness is a "global stout" really.

Tube wrote: »

What F Well beers are not made in Ireland?

Their core range is currently made at Sharp's, Cornwall.

Knifey Spoony

irish_goat wrote: »

Their core range is currently made at Sharp's, Cornwall.

Most of their core range. The brew pub still brews and supplies the pub and the bars of Cork, as far as I know. Also, when their new brewery opens up, sometime next year I believe, everything should be produced in Cork from then on.

Frynge

BaZmO* wrote: »

It was only just announced. I thought that was obvious by the discussion?

I didnt come across any announcement, I saw it on the menu on the flight.