Buying craft beer in Ireland

Dellboy54

Where best to buy craft beer in Ireland, taking into account price, deals, variety. Buying online, offlicences, supermarkets etc...???

BeerNut

There's no single answer to that. It depends what exactly you want.

Independent off licences (Bradley's of Cork, DrinkStore, Martin's, McHugh's, Redmond's) tend to have the best variety, and some will always have beers that others won't have.

Supermarkets do good deals on multibuys (Leann Folláin and the Boyne range in Tesco) if that's more important, but obviously selection is limited. There are some excellent beers which are exclusive to supermarkets and very cheap (Grafters range in Dunnes; Crafty Brewing IPA in Lidl).

Online is really just if you don't have access to a good beer shop near where you live.

Dellboy54

BeerNut wrote: »

There's no single answer to that. It depends what exactly you want.

Independent off licences (Bradley's of Cork, DrinkStore, Martin's, McHugh's, Redmond's) tend to have the best variety, and some will always have beers that others won't have.

Supermarkets do good deals on multibuys (Leann Folláin and the Boyne range in Tesco) if that's more important, but obviously selection is limited. There are some excellent beers which are exclusive to supermarkets and very cheap (Grafters range in Dunnes; Crafty Brewing IPA in Lidl).

Online is really just if you don't have access to a good beer shop near where you live.

Not really looking for a single answer here hence this post but more what people have come across and what they think is best.

poitinstill

i think for an introduction the lidl crafty brewing and dunnes grafter ones are as good as any.

slayerking

+1 what previous posters have said. For a good price to quality ratio, you cant go wrong with some of the supermarket offerings which are brewed in any case by craft breweries.
My order of preference are as follows:

1. Lidl's Crafty brewing range (brewed by Rye river)
2. Tesco's Solas range (brewed by Rye river)
3. Dunnes' Grafters range (brewed by Rye river)
4. Aldi's O'Sheas range (brewed by Carlow brewing)

Supermarkets frequently have offers also - 4 for 10/3 for 9 etc on some beers.

For independent off licences, I'd also throw Stephen street news in the mix... great range, central, and usually has an odd surprise deal every now and again.

BeerNut

slayerking wrote: »

I'd also throw Stephen street news in the mix

Stephen Street News is great to the point where I'd wonder how sustainable it is. It may be one of those things to make the most of while it lasts.

RasTa

Looks like spar Nassau St are copying them

Eggs For Dinner

Just taken delivery directly from 8 Degrees Brewery. Minimum order is 3 trays, but their 440ml cans work out at €2.91 each. Formed a syndicate with 3 others and got 4 different trays. Yummy

Dellboy54

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

Just taken delivery directly from 8 Degrees Brewery. Minimum order is 3 trays, but their 440ml cans work out at €2.91 each. Formed a syndicate with 3 others and got 4 different trays. Yummy

Took a look around and 8 Degrees Brewery appear to be almost the only brewery that sells their product online.

RasTa

Speaking of that three trays rule, I heard there is some loophole that allows them to sell 3 slabs direct?

L1011

Over a certain volume is considered wholesale and allowed on a brewers licence from memory.

bennyineire

L1011 wrote: »

Over a certain volume is considered wholesale and allowed on a brewers licence from memory.

Correct, all brewers can do what 8 Degrees do if they wish but most choose not too for some reason

n97 mini

RasTa wrote: »

Speaking of that three trays rule, I heard there is some loophole that allows them to sell 3 slabs direct?

It's not a specific number of slabs, it's a specific volume: 4.5 gallons (20.46 litres). 2 x 24 x 440ml = 21.12 litres, i.e. the minimum quantity for 440ml is 2 slabs.

bennyineire wrote: »

Correct, all brewers can do what 8 Degrees do if they wish but most choose not too for some reason

Most likely the don't want to annoy the offies that are stocking their beer.

Dellboy54

Lidl selling 4Provinces and 12 Acres craft beer this week.

https://www.lidl.ie/en/c/kickstart-best-of-ireland/c936

gmisk

Molloys off license are excellent for craft beer etc

andekwarhola

Mace on South Circular Road always has a decent selection too.

Tallaght is probably one of the best branches of Molloys in Dublin for selection.

CiaranMT

Dellboy54 wrote: »

Lidl selling 4Provinces and 12 Acres craft beer this week.

https://www.lidl.ie/en/c/kickstart-best-of-ireland/c936

Had the two 12 Acres beers tonight, enjoyable enough, IPL was the best of the two. Can't go wrong with the price!

Sling12

Hopefully some left once I get out of work......