Bord Bia’s Paris office today welcomed 40 influential French journalists and bloggers to a pairing of Irish Craft Beers and Irish Farmhouse cheeses, chosen by Elisabeth Pierre, the French beer specialist and food and drink writer. Elisabeth paired the Irish cheeses and beers for tasting by this demanding and knowledgeable group whose appreciation of Irish craft beers and farmhouse cheeses is growing steadily. The tasting took place in the newly launched Paname Brewing Company pub, which brews some of its beers in - house and has a strong Irish connection.
The following pairings were put to the test and were highly regarded:
- St Killian with Kinnegar Pale Ale Limeburner and
- Wicklow Blue with Dungarvan Blond Ale Helvick Gold and O’Hara’s Stout
- Knockdrinna Snow with BRU Red Ale and O’Hara’s Pale Ale
- Porter Cheddar with Chocolate Milk Stout, the White Hag’s White Sow and Dungarvan Copper Coast.
- Cashel Blue with the White Hag Imperial Oatmeal Stout and the White Hag IPA Bran & Sceolan
- Vintage Cheddar with O’Hara’s Irish Red and Kinnegar Rye Ale
Joining Bord Bia Paris at the event were representatives from the Irish craft beer and farmhouse cheese sectors including Carlow Brewing, Kinnegar, Bru Brewery, Cashel Blue and The Little Milk Company.
Irish Craft Beer Exports to France
Between January and September 2015, exports of beer to France increased by 18% in volume terms compared to 2014 and craft beer exports rose by a factor of 10 in 4 years to reach close to 3,000 hectolitres in 2015. There are now almost 60 production craft breweries and approximately 10 ‘brand owners’, whose liquid is produced under contract by a brewery. This number represents an increase of 500% on the facilities in operation in 2012. The output of craft breweries in Ireland was 86,000 hl in 2014, a 71% increase on the 2013 figure of 49,000hl while the output of production microbreweries between 2011 and 2014 rose more than threefold. With the additional new firms in 2014 and capacity expansion among older firms, output is expected to rise substantially in 2015 to 145,000hl, an increase of over 70%. Microbreweries are forecasting a further 64% increase in output to 241,000hl in 2016. Of the total microbrewery production of 86,000 hl in 2014, an estimated 21,400hl was exported, representing almost 25 % of the total and almost double the export volumes since 2013. Some two-thirds of microbreweries are already exporting, albeit many of them on a small scale as yet.
It is highly likely that output of the sector will exceed 500,000hl within four years. It is the objective of the category leaders to achieve a target of 50% export of production in that time. The vast range of craft beers available from the Irish craft breweries is enhanced by regular seasonal offerings and special editions. Current export markets include the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Russia and Scandinavia.
Exports of Cheese to France
Exports of Irish cheese to France has increased threefold in two years and rose by approx. 8% in value terms (2% in volume) in 2015 compared to last year to stand at 18 tonnes.
Some 50 Irish farmhouse cheesemakers now produce more than 150 types of cheese. The sector has continued to experience recent export growth targeting 25 markets and worth approximately €5 million with the value of exports to France estimated at €200,000.