I’ve scoured the internet, trawled through social media, and devoured every beer magazine I can get my hands on to bring you the beer predictions of 2017! The theme this year is innovation; while consumers want the wilder, the weirder, and the more extreme, this year is also focused on revisiting classic styles to create solid standard brews that push the boundaries of deliciousness. Without further ado here are the top five predictions for what’s going to be hot in the beer world in 2017:
BEER TO TRY NOW:
Dungarvan Coffee and Oatmeal Stout
Available for €3.49 at Martin’s Off-Licence
Run don’t walk, to pick up this limited edition yearly brew from Dungarvan. They work with Brock Lewin from Badger and Dodo, boutique coffee roasters, to create this artisan beer and this year’s version is made with filter brewed Guatemalan Finca Velasquez.
The caramel and chocolate flavours of the coffee meld beautifully with the roasted barley and oatmeal making this a gorgeous beer to drink on a cold winter’s day!
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast
Available for €4.99 at drinkstore.ie
A lovely oatmeal stout with a touch of gourmet coffee makes this the perfect addition to your winter brunch.
Made with 25% oat-based ingredients and with undertones of chocolate this is truly one for the coffee lovers!
BEER TO TRY NOW:
Magic Rock High Wire Grapefruit
Available for €3.60 at Martins Off-License
This is a pink grapefruit infused version of their classic American Pale Ale. They used all natural pink grapefruit to highlight the malty character of the beer and impart sharp citrus flavours which adds layers to the overall tasting experience! There have been quite a few Irish breweries to make their foray into this style this year, but these have all been limited editions. Keep an eye out though, as this year should -hopefully- see a large influx of this style!
BEER TO TRY NOW:
St. Mel’s Helles Lager
Available for €3.79 at Martin’s Off-License
This beer is lagered for four weeks and finished in the bottle with an ale yeast, adding a complexity of flavours. The result of the addition of the ale yeast is banana, spice and orange flavours, complimenting the bready maltiness and German noble hops which add a dry bitterness, rounding off the beer. Delicious. BONUS: While it isn’t out now, they will be re-releasing their Spring Bock Lager in February. This lager won gold in its category at Killarney Beer Festival in 2016!
Trouble Brewing Kill Lager
Available for €3.25 at Martin’s Off-License
This is a fantastic Vienna-style lager.
Malty with caramel notes, this one is conditioned for six weeks resulting in a soft hop flavour with a malty sweetness. This is a clean beer full of flavour.
Everything you want in a lager.
BEER TO TRY NOW:
Eight Degree’s Brewing Wayfarer
Available for €2.75 at Baggot Street Wines
This is a gorgeous session sour IPA, coming in at 4% ABV.
Dry hopped with Amarillo and Citra hops, the tart citrus flavours mingle with gooseberry and green mango notes delivering a clean, sharp, delicious drinking experience.
Metalman Brewing Co. Razzbeer
Available for €3.05 at Molloys.ie
Sour. Spicy. Complex. Innovative.
Metalman knocks it out of the park with this one.
The tartness of the raspberries works really well in the sour style and the heat from the chillies add an extra kick at the finish. Fantastic.
BEER TO TRY NOW:
O’Hara’s Barrel Aged Leann Follain
Available for €12.50 at drinkstore.ie
Leann Follain itself is one of the standards to which I judge all other Irish Stouts. They take the already fantastic Leann Follain and mature it for 90 days in Irish whiskey barrels.
The result? An amazingly smooth beer with notes of alcohol warmth and a deeply complex flavour profile.
Stone Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard
Available for €5.69 at Martin’s Off-License
This is the barrel aged version of their Arrogant Bastard, an American Strong Ale. The nose on this will be coconut, toffee sweetness, vanilla and wood flavours with oh-so-subtle bourbon notes. The taste mimics the aroma with the additions of dark fruits and some alcohol warmth.
A 96 on Ratebeer, this one is not for the faint of heart, clocking in at 8.1% ABV. A fab beer for this time of year.
Well, that’s my round up for 2017! What are you most looking forward to sipping?
A historian by trade, Christina founded the Ladies Craft Beer Society of Ireland to have some semblance of a life outside of her Ph.D. An academic at heart, she then went on to turn her love of craft beer into something a bit more formal and has become a BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) Beer Judge.
With this background, she is devoted to educating the consumer on the history of beer styles and brewing, as well as what makes up the perfect pint.
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