Tag: Ennis

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Ireland – Looking Back

Jet lag doesn’t seem to affect me nearly as much going on vacation as it does coming back. That thrill and excitement and just new-ness mitigates while the routine and chores doesn’t light up the brain.

Which is why I waited a couple days to get my overall beer and spirits thoughts together on my two weeks in Ireland.

First off, I am glad that I waited to have a true Irish Coffee in Ireland. Yes, Los Angeles to San Francisco (the American home of the cocktail) is a shorter trip but my Dad’s favorite tipple needed a bigger bang. Nine bigger than having one at the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery and then a second comparison versioj at Garavan’s in Galway.

The second box that I ticked was to get a wide variety of Irish craft beers tasted. From Donegal to Wicklow, I was able to get cans from all levels of breweries. I wanted to do more than just dip my toe, I wanted to get wet at least up to the ankle.

Third on my list was to see what Guinness was up to and if it was up to snuff. Of course, I had a couple pints of the dark stuff while I was there but the St. Jame’s Gate brewery is more than that. I had there Rock Shore Lager and their Hop House 13 Lager and especially the latter was quite tasty.

The last item on my list was to have a second distillery tour and boy, did Micil Distillery in Salthill fill that bill. It was a comprehensive tasting. And it opened my eyes as to how good Irish Cream Liqueur could be when not sugared to candy levels.

Some other thoughts…

  • Spanish and Italian mass market lagers are indeed big there
  • Tipping rules are so different, usually you just tap your card without getting the device turned around to add extra
  • alcohol in grocery stores is behind saloon style doors and can only be bought during certain hours, no purchases on Sunday before noon
  • most pubs and bars have your hits and maybe a craft tap or two

The biggest take-away that I figured would happen but needed to feel was that the vibe is just slower. I found myself not blowing through a pint, it wasn’t quite savoring every drop mode but I sure did relax.

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Ireland – On the Way, Ennis and Shannon

Jet lag is not to be trifled with. You can be loopy for a while. I was so loopy that I thought I heard our Aer Lingus flight attendant say that the Heineken would cost money but that you can get two free cans of Carlsberg if you wanted.

I declined a second complimentary Danish Pilsner and instead grabbed a bus to Ennis to walk off the combined 10+ hours of flights from LAX to Shannon, County Clare, Ireland. There I found a Dunnes store. Similar to Target or for those from the PNW, Fred Meyer. There I found quite a tidy selection of craft beer options, most in bottles and here I was without an opener!

I went with two canned IPAs from Wicklow Wolf. The Mammoth IPA and their Tropical Tunda IPA. Both were really good and I was glad that my first choices in Ireland turned out well from a grocery store, no less.

In an attempt to acclimate myself to the time zone, I pushed my tiredness to the limit and hit the hotel bar for an early nightcap. I went with a Guinness brand extension Hop 13. And it was tasty. Like a West Coast hopped version of Harp.

In a couple days, there will be more posts from Limerick and the Wild Atlantic Way.