Cooking up storms for Knights Westfest
WITH food festivals on lips of epicureans the length and breadth of the country, Newcastle West is the latest destination to come up trumps and host their very own gathering
The most recent addition to the 2012 Knights of Desmond programme, a five day family affair, which includes a number of open air musical acts, is the Taste of Westfest which is scheduled to take place in the town’s Demesne on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16.
Strand Hotel executive head chef and Newcastle West native, Tom Flavin, will be joined in the Westfest Taste Tent by Ross Lewis of award winning Michelin Star Restaurant, Chapter One on Saturday 15 September. Demonstrations and tastings will be complemented with a showcase of the culinary delights available in Munster and beyond.
To keep up to date with the programme of events as it develops,find their Facebook page www.facebook.com/tasteofwestfest and follow the event on twitter @tastewestfest.
Fancy touring the micro breweries of Ireland?
WELL if the answer to that is yes then you should make your way to facebook, twitter or online and see what the people in Brewery Hops are doing.
As a small tour group, the company aims to provide guests with a high quality travel experience that combines an appreciation of Ireland’s emerging independent craft beer industry with visits to cultural and heritage sites.
Mia Tobin is behind the tours and brings here experience and passion for the tourism industry to the operation.
As a new operator, bringing something completely new to the market, Brewery Hops will run a number of tours over the coming months and full details can be found online.
See breweryhopsofireland.ie for more
Head to Doolin for craft beer festival
Ireland’s newest domestically brewed beer was officially launched in Doolin recently and it coincides with the announcement of the inaugural Doolin Craft Beer Festival on August 24-26, the first festival of its kind to be held outside of Dublin.
Fair City’s actors from the fictional McCoy’s Pub and Station Bar were on hand to launch the Festival and Dooliner Beer, an Irish Red Ale which master brewer Cuilan Loughnane has brewed by special request for Fitzpatrick’s Bar at Hotel Doolin. Dooliner Beer also is available at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Hotel Doolin’s sister property.
Hotelier John Burke explained that the launch of Dooliner Beer provides an ideal platform for the Doolin Craft Beer Festival on 24-26 August 2012. “The event will showcase the best of Irish Craft Beers, featuring 15 different beers from the best micro-breweries in Ireland,” he said.
“This is the first time a festival like this will be held outside of Dublin and is a great opportunity for Doolin. It is also a great fit for Doolin as the village is nationally and internationally renowned for its famous pubs and music”, added Mr Burke.
Donal Minihane, General Manager, Hotel Doolin, said it is hoped that the launch of Dooliner and the upcoming Craft Beer festival will promote awareness of independent breweries around the country.
