White Gypsy Blond Belgian Ale

Back on Tap
This is the second keg of this wonderful beer, tapped 5.2.2012
As of 5.01.12 this beer is now tapped and it's a cracker, and a record holder of the strongest Irish Craft Beer on tap in Ireland 

Cask Beer for January

Coming up in January, we have the return of a couple of Beers that went very well the last time we had them on. From the Fuller's brewery we have Bengal Lancer and the much sought after London Porter. Following these we will have Old Speckled Hen, Dungarvan's Black Rock Stout & Copper Coast Red. There's also on ocean of beer due in the form of draught & bottle, and White Gypsy have promised me some of "the good stuff" in early January.


On tap & Cask at the moment;
Carrig Lager, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Einbecker Export Strenght Lager, Cask Metalman Pale Ale

Carrig Lager

I've had this on rotation for a while now, but forgot to blog about it.  So here it is.

Carrig Lager

I'm reminded of my first gulp of Belfast Lager, full, rich, malty and with a fantastic "tastes like more" finish. That is to say that the hops combined with the soft semi sweet flavours really leave the palate wanting. A lot of others Craft Beer drinkers must have the same thought, as Carrig Lager has sold quite well recently. It will continue to go through the Rotation taps, but I personally look forward to enjoying the beer during our summer period.....

Yule ól from White Gypsy

The label says

"Yule Ol is a beer brewed with the Christmas dinner in mind. Full of berry flavours with a hint of toffee and coffee, and the lovely warming of the strong alcohol 6%abv"

2 cases delivered.

Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout

I'm a fan of good Coffee and good Beer. But to have both in the same glass, happy days. This seasonal release from Dungarvan Brewing offers the perfect balance of fresh espresso flavours with a smooth mouthfeel imparted by the oats. Don't forget that underneath there's a seriously good stout. 

While stocks last. Yeah, right.

Creans Lager

Now on Rotation tap 3

Tom Creans Lager from Dingle Brewing Company

Cara Malt has been used in this beer, so expect to see a lack of "yellow".

The first sip shows malt and crispness with a soft finish for that "tastes like more feeling"

Great to see another Irish Craft Beer born

Our Official Xmas Beer of 2011

Once the staff tried this beer, it was love. 

Well done to 8 Degrees Brewing for creating such agreat beer.

Cask and Keg Specials

On rotation tap we have 
Sierra Nevada Tumbler
Sunburnt Irish Red
Pawel Kwak
Unertl Weiss

On Cask
The brilliant Helvic Gold Blonde "This is a refreshing blonde ale generously hopped to give bitterness and aroma that packs a punch!"

"A world away from your typical tasteless lager, this is a really interesting thirst-quenching beer with an astringent very dry finish, very distinctive hoppy fruits and good length. Delicious." - John Wilson, Irish Times Magazine 10th July 2010

Tom Crean’s Premium Lager will hit the taps later this week, hopefully followed by Schneider Aventinus


We also have some new bottles this week from Belgium and Germany, plus a few cases of Brewdog's Trashy Blonde.


The Franciscan Well is releasing an old favourite this month, Bellringer.  This beer was part of their regular line up before being discontinued some time ago. This will be available in 1tr bottles, for Off Sales only. Here is where you can reserve yours. 24 is all I will have.

New Beer's

New Beers

Doppel Hirsch Germany 500ml  7.2% abv

Full bodied and mellow strong lager style beer with a light Hop bitterness.

Foods:Ideal with Half Roast Chicken and BBQ Ribs

Hirsch Weihnachts- Bier 500ml  5.2% abv

An amber beer, crisp and clean tasting with grassy notes and light malt flavours

Foods:Ideal with Half Roast Chicken, Beef Burger

La Trappe Brewery France

Blond 6.5% abv

A clear, sparkling Trappist beer with a high fermentation level. Fresh and fruity taste with a soft bitter aftertaste. The various types of hops add an aromatic smell.

Dubbel 7.0% abv

An authentic Trappist beer with a deep red-brown colour. Through the use of a.o. caramel malt, it has a soft aromatic, caramel-like character. A little bit sweet in taste with a fresh aftertaste.

Tripel 8.0% abv

A special and powerful Trappist. Including the use of coriander owes it its spicy character. Golden in color with a fruity, bittersweet taste.

Quadrupel 10% abv

A unique Trappist beer that is even put to rest sorted by year in the cellars of the abbey for further fermentation. The strongest beer of La Trappe with a beautiful amber colour. The warm taste is full and well-balanced.

Brouwerij Het Anker Belgium

Gouden Carolus Classic 8.5% abv

This dark beer combined with aromatic malts and high fermentation process produces the warm roundness of wine with the light freshness of beer.

Gouden Carolus Tripel 9.0% abv

Up to this very day it is still brewed according to ancient tradition.Golden Carolus Tripel has a unique colour and a rich taste thanks to its well-balanced hopping.

Gouden Carolus Ambrio 8.0% abv

The balance between the different malts, the fine hops and the typical taste of herbs creates a perfect harmony between the powerful taste of brown beers and the light freshness of blonde beers.

Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor 8.0% abv

“Hopsinjoor” derived from the use of 5 different kinds of hops. These hops are fractioned at a different time during the cooking process in order to conserve a maximum of aroma. The Ale has a gentle taste with a slightly bitter after taste.

WELTENBURGER BAROCK DUNKEL

This weeks Beer Special comes from The Oldest Abbey Brewery in the world.

During the last millennium until today the monastic beer production in Weltenburg has been
interrupted only by secularization from 1803 to 1846. In 1846 the brewery became monastic
property again and has stayed so ever since. Therefore Weltenburg Abbey Brewery can be rightly
referred to as the oldest Abbey Brewery in the world.

Hot Winter Cider

A blend of Cinnamon, Apple & Vanilla to warm your cockles

Today's Cask Beer

Copper Coast Red is on from today and will be followed by the fantastic Helvic Gold mid week ish. Always a great seller and worth travelling for. TBM

Mon - Wed Specials

Don't forget our start of the week specials, something for everyone

For drinks specials for the rest of the week click here

Cask Beer; Hobgoblin

 

 Hobgoblin makes a return, albeit not intentionally. We were supposed to recieve Fullers London Porter, but the distribution end went haywire. Anyway nowt wrong with this Ruby Beer so all's good.

Daily Drinks Promotions

The First 2 groups to Reserve for any sports event will recieve complimentary Platters. 
Min 4 persons , Max 20 persons

Tuesday

Arsenal v Man City 8.00pm Carling Cup

Wednesday

Man Utd v Crystal Palace 7.45pm Carling Cup

Saturday

Chelsea v Newcastle 12.45 Premier League

Sunday

limited reservations available for games

platter food and bar menus all day

click here to see drinks promotions for each day

01 475 1122
info@bullandcastle.ie

Sunday Sports 20th November

Heineken Cup Rugby Leinster V Glasgow 12.45
Premier League          Chelsea V Liverpool 3.30


All on Big Screen - Food Available all day
Sausage & Bacon Bap with homecut chips €7 (12.30 - 3pm)

Heineken Rugby

Big Screen Games in the Beerhall 2011

November 2011

Fri 4 Nov 20:00   Leinster Rugby 24 - 19 Munster Rugby AVIVA Stadium Sat 12 Nov 14:30   Montpellier 16 - 16 Leinster Rugby Stade de la Mosson Sun 20 Nov 12:45   Leinster Rugby   v   Glasgow Warriors Royal Dublin Society Sat 26 Nov 15:00   Benetton Treviso   v   Leinster Rugby Stadio di Monigo December 2011 Fri 2 Dec 20:05   Leinster Rugby   v   Cardiff Blues Royal Dublin Society Sun 11 Dec 12:45   Bath Rugby   v   Leinster Rugby Recreation Ground Sat 17 Dec 18:00   Leinster Rugby   v   Bath Rugby AVIVA Stadium Mon 26 Dec 17:30   Leinster Rugby   v   Ulster Rugby Royal Dublin Society

This weeks Bottle Cask & Draught specials

Draught; Einbecker Export Lager, Friar Weiss form Franciscan Well, Howling Gale Ale from 8 Degrees
Cask; Bengal Lancer IPA from Fullers Brewery

Later on Cask Metalman Pale Ale, Fullers London Porter, O'Hara's Smoked Ale, Barrelhead
Later on Draught Carrig Lager, Sierra Nevada Tumbler, Butburger

The Dog's B****x

The title is not helped by the logo I know, but it is a real beer. A seasonal form the Wychwood Brewery Oxfordshire.

"Standing out from the crowd, an old favourite returns that always lives up to its name.

Pale golden, well rounded flavours warm the palate & come together with a hint of nuts, resulting in a robust fulsome aroma that hangs low 'til the last.

A great excuse to go & see a man about a dog."

If anyone asks me how it tastes, I know what I'll be saying

Beer & Cheese Weekend

Runs from Friday evening to Monday evening, with 4 beer and cheese pairings.

1 - Buckleys Golden Ale & Gubeen Soft Cheese
2 - Castle Red Irish Ale & Cooleney Soft Cheese
3 - O'Hara's Irish Stout & Hegarty's Cheddar
4 - Dark Arts Porter & Cashel Blue

Costing €7

Groupon Deal

T&C's

Minimum of 4 persons required to validate voucher

Groups of less than 6 may be required to share large tables

Available in Beerhall only, not for Restaurant use

All persons in group must be over 18 yrs of age

Limited tables available each day

Beerhall open 7 days

Beer Specials

Cask     Comeragh Challenger from Dungarvan Brewery 3.7% abv
Keg     Schlenkerla Helles, Howling Gale Ale, O'Hara's IPA& Unertl Weisbier
Bottle     Rothaus Tannenzapfle German Pils, Köstritzer Schwarzbier Dark Lager

Next week will see the delivery of the hard to find Fullers Porter  and Bengal Lancer on Cask. Sierra Nevada Tumbler seasonal hoppy dark ale makes a return. Leann Follain hits the Cask pump at some stage followed closely by O'Hara's IPA. With a bit of luck, November should also get to welcome 8 Degrees Knockmealdown Porter, in bottle and draught, to the party.

Tannenzäpfle €4

Kind	Lager
Alcohol Strength	5,1 % Vol.
Colour	blond
Taste	Crisp and clean

"Tannenzäpfle" (which means "small fir cone") is a tangy lager with a fine hop-aroma and well balanced taste produced by the Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus. Black Forest spring water from an altitude of 1000 metres is used for production and gives the beer its distinctive freshness. Tannenzäpfle is the brewery's most successful product.
Since 1956 the brewery has printed a blond girl in a traditional Black Forest costume on their labels. Rothaus fans gave her the name "Birgit Kraft" because it is an allusion to the Alemannic version of the phrase "Bier gibt Kraft" ("Bier giet Kraft" – "Beer gives you strength")

Barrelhead Pale Ale Cask

A cask of this wonderful Pale Ale from the Franciscan Well Brewery Co. Cork will be tapped up this morning. A bit on the hard to find side of things, so I don't expect it to last too long. 

TBM

Any 3 for €12 every Thursday

Save €4.80

Fullers Beers on Cask

update Monday 10th Oct ; Fullers LP  now on cask

I found a nice surprise this morning , a cask each of Fullers ESB and Fullers London Pride and a keg of Fullers Honey Dew. Another Keg of Rogue Dead Guy Ale has made it's way to us and will be tapped right away. So nice beers for all this weekend.

Happy Friday

Irish Craft Brewing Short Guide

Education has always been our focus when to comes to driving customers towards Irish Craft Beer. The more you know about a product, the easier to understand it. And so comes our short guide to the Irish Craft Beer scene here in Ireland. From a bio of all current Irish Micro Breweries, to two pour stout and an explanation's of most beer styles and types, it's an easy yet informative read. 

Produced by myself & John Duffy( a huge input from John actually) aka "The Beer Nut".

Available at the Bull & Castle or by post with card payments.

Contact Geoff or Dave, all information is confidential.

This weeks Cask Beer Offerings

A few casks form the O'Hara's camp are making their way here this week, O'Hara's IPA & Curim and if we're lucky, some Leann Follain.

Fullers ESB & London Pride are being shipped in towards the end of the month, so something else to look forward to.

TBM

Octoberfest

Music, German Nibbles and a selection of Bottle & Draught beers will be available from 30th September through to 9th October.
I'll post the beerlist once I have confirmation on what will be available. TBM.

Limited table reservations on weekends 01 475 1122

Rogue Beers Coming Soon

Should have one of these tapped up by the weekend, that's if you have anything left to give after the Irish Craft Beerfest in the RDS

RDS Beerfest Tickets

Now on sale at The Bar Counter

€10 for One Day Ticket 

€15 for Three Day Ticket

Buy 5 and Get One Free !

The Bull & Castle is only a ticket retailer

for all info see festival website

Beer Vouchers

For any going to the Lughnasa Beer Festival tonight, look out at the Irish Beer producer for these vouchers valid tonight, 19th August.

Bull & Castle T Shirts

Now on sale in a variety of sizes

Trouble Comes in Bottles

Trouble ór Golden Ale now in Bottles. A small batch was bottled, so it may not last too long. On sale for take away €3

Redbreast 15yr Old

Red Breast 15 yr old
Pure Pot Still 46% abv
Non chilled-filtered
€9 per 35.5ml measure

Pure Pot Still Whiskey is unique to Ireland, thanks to a tax placed on Malted Barley while under British rule. Because Irish Whiskey was so popular the world over, there were huge amounts being distilled and matured up and down the country in all of the hundreds of Irish Distilleries. Queen Victoria put a hefty Tax on Malted Barley which forced Distillers to use a portion of unmalted grain to save on tax. This was the birth of Pure Pot Still Whiskey.

Red Breast 15 yr old was released a couple of years ago with a price tag of over €120 per bottle, quite close to a similar price for Midleton Very Rare. But  Red Breast 15 yr old was actually rare, produced with new-found stock of whiskey, which was limited and giving Red Breast 15 yr old the air of rarity and collectability. With the reduced price due to the rumour of  a new batch, Red Breast 15 yr old can now be had for a lot less than before.Being unchill-filtered and at 46% abv also adds to its uniqueness Drink straight and enjoy.

Tasting Notes by Michael Jackson

Nose:  Clean, fresh. Hint of linseed. Nuts. Cake.

Palate:  By far the biggest of this selection. Assertive and complex, with lots of development and seemingly infinite dimension. Ginger cake, brazil nuts, treacle.

Finish:  Liquorice-like sherry notes.

Comment:  Delicious, soothing, contemplative. A great whiskey. Makes me want to get on a plane to Dublin immediately.

Score: 9 / 10

Whitewater Copperhead

It's been a while since I last had Whitewater Brewery Copperhead, and that was on cask in Belfast somewhere. I do remember a big hop hit, and some light fruits. At 3.7% abv, you wouldn't expect too much, but surprise surprise, it has flavours so big and round that you'll miss the low alcohol content.

Looks like I'll have to open one and refresh my memory.

Lindemans Kriek, Coming Soon

Updated 31st July; now on tap. lovely fruit tartness with a super dry finish

We hope to tap a keg of this before the weekend.

Priced at €4 per 330ml, or Klein to us, allows you to try a Lambic without spending the usual €6/€7 on a 330ml bottle

"Because of the limited availability of the "Schaerbeekse Cherries", just as to brew a less sour and more fruity Lambic beer, Lindemans farm brewery developed an unique alternative natural method using pure cherry juice from unfrozen cherries. This straight cherry juice is blended with selected Lambic of different ages."

Sunburnt Irish Red

Like an Irishman on holiday in the Canarys, this beer has a red tint but with a chilled out mellow feel. A traditional Irish style with a twist. It has subtle caramel notes balanced with a hoppy aroma. Goes really well with roast beef, lamb or a traditional Irish stew, but beware: keep out of direct sunlight.

I think Cam& Scott (both anitpodeans) are taking the Míchael with the name, given our climate and all that. But the Jokes is on them, they live here now :)

All Ireland Craft Beerfest

Just out of pure lazyness on my part, I am offerong a link as opposed to typing a long spiel about this years First All Ireland Beerfest, which will run from the 23rd to 26th September at the RDS.Tickets will be on sale through ourselves soon. email us for more info

CLICK HERE

Black Rock Stout

Dungarvan's Black Rock Stout makes a welcome return on cask today. 2 myths that need to be dealt with regarding stout

1 - you should not drink stout outside winter months. Wrong of course, there's nothing like a stout on a hot day to quench your thirst

2 - Nitro stout is the only stout. Again wrong, this time very wrong. Nitrogen is insoluble gas, meaning it has body and flavour when used in beer. Essentially it masks the flavours of the beer, meaning you miss all the good stuff.

Messrs Beer en Route

UPDATE;  17th july Messrs Bown Ale now on
UPDATE;  6th july   Messrs Pale Ale just tapped

UPDATE;  6th july   Messrs Cask Mixed Berry Weiss just tapped

 

Hope fully later today we will recieve our first ever delivery of Messrs beer, to include Bock, Lager and Red Ale as wellas a Cask of Mixed Berry Weiss. Stay tuned for further info

Win a Jeroboam of Duvel

With every bottle of Duvel purchased you can enter into a draw for 3 of these bottles.

offer also applies to off sales

closing date 14th July 2011

4th July Beers

We have some fine beers from te USA available from 

Monday 4th July

Hookers at Home ?

Now available at Take Home prices

There's no end to the puns for this beer

Sol Friday's Promotion

A very popular promotion, so be sure to book early.

Bottled Hooker

So it's been confirmed that we will receive delivery of bottles this week. Here's the infamous bottle. 500ml bottles are the way forward and these will make a welcome addition to our shelves.
Well done Ronan and Aidan

Frúli Fruit Beer

Coming Soon On Tap

Fruli is a fruit beer produced near Ghent, Belgium, by Huyghe. It is a blend of white beer and strawberry juice.4.1% abv

Chef de Partie Required

Chef de Partie required to work with professional team.

Send CV to geoff@bullandcastle.ie

Croaking Lizard Brown Ale 5%

We should have this on by this evening, and as it's not on yet I can't tell you anything about it. So stay tuned for updates

Cask Hobgoblin

Updated 18th June 9pm 

Now on, and it's Gooooooood

 

We have just been told that some of this wonderful Dark Ruby Ale will be with us in the next few days. Watch this space.

Hobgoblin 4.8% abv

The Unofficial Beer of Halloween.

Traditionally brewed to produce a wonderfully well balanced blend of smooth, rich & satisfying flavours from chocolate & crystal malts combined with a crisp, refreshing bitterness from Styrian, Goldings and Fuggles hops.

Bigfoot Barley Wine 9.6% Abv

What would you do if you saw a sign that read "Glass of beer €4.50" ?
Would you

a) ask to speak to the management
b) realise that those Specsavers adverts might be making sense
c) join the queue

The correct answer of course, is "c"
This beer is ridiculously hard to come by, and to have it on draught is all the more special.


Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale

see above link for all the fun facts and tasting notes

Druids Brew Irish Stout

4.5% Abv

As rare as hens teeth is this stuff. The first Cask of this sold in Ireland for quite a long time (by ourselves) lasted less than 3 hours, such is the quality and lack of availability.

(there are no pictures because none exist, or do they)

8 Degrees Howling Gale Ale

A very apt name for an Irish beer. Cam (the brewer) will be delivering some during the week, so watch this space for more info.

 

Like blitzing down the Ballyhouras on your bike with an icy wind in your face, it delivers a refreshing crisp smack around the gills. It pours a pale golden colour and the malty sweetness is well balanced by the chinook and centennial hops. Goes well with fish, chicken or anything off the barbeque. ABV 5.0%

Fruh Kolsch

On from Monday 6th June, hopefully to coincide with the return of double digit teperatures.

Followed by this bad boy

As this is 9.7% Abv, you will need to

- produce a certificate of sanity

 - sign a waver relieving us of responsibity for you

- obtain a small mortgage