Bord Bia is delighted to announce the second year of the Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer Weekend which takes places this October bank holiday weekend with nearly 30 planned events taking place nationwide from Thursday 25th until Monday 29th. The events, ranging from cheese and beer tastings and pairings to talks and demonstrations, will take place in breweries, restaurants, gastro-pubs, off-licences, farms and farmers markets around the country.
The Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer Weekend is in an effort to highlight that craft beer (not just wine!) is an excellent accompaniment to cheese. Through the events, Bord Bia aims to raise awareness of the breadth of Irish farmhouse cheeses and craft beers amongst consumers. According to Eimear O’Donnell, Consumer Dairy Sector Manager, Bord Bia, “This celebratory weekend gives consumers a unique opportunity to get to know these acclaimed speciality categories and their local suppliers. There is a wonderful range of farmhouse cheese and craft beer being produced in Ireland and we now have an occasion to celebrate and enjoy some of our best produce”.
Some Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer Weekend highlights include:
- The Moorings Gastro Pub, Waterford is hosting an interactive table quiz on craft beer and artisan cheese, including a taste-test round
- Midleton Farmer’s Craft Beer & Cheese Festival in Co. Cork will be celebrating with a cheese making demonstration and beer and cheese tasting, accompanied by a live jazz band
- Dublin’s L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter will be offering Irish Farmhouse Cheese and Craft Beer pairings
Both artisan crafts are not just about the flavour but also the people, personalities, places and stories behind them. At present in Ireland, there are approximately 50 farmhouse cheese makers producing over 140 varieties of cheese and 15 craft brewers making upwards of 60 different beers, stouts and ales as well as special and seasonal brews. Eleven of the craft brewers have been new startup businesses in the past four years and the industry expects several new entrants in the coming years.
Cathryn Hargan, Bord Bia’s Alcoholic Beverages Sector Manager commented on the rising popularity of the craft beer sector. “Craft beer and cider are flourishing in Ireland at present and consumer demand has never been higher growth due to the increased localised availability. The industry is very positive about the future and believes that Ireland will follow the US and UK markets in terms of craft beer trends where there has been huge growth and interest in the sector”.