Tom Crean – A Kerry Hero

TOM Crean’s granddaughter, Aileen, has been providing high quality food and drink to the people of Kerry since 1992. After her sons Cian and Morgan left for university, Aileen herself took up the reigns again and she reopened the restaurant as a fitting tribute to her grandfather, hence the concept for Tom Crean Fish & Wine and Accommodation was born. The restaurant and guest bedrooms are full of glorious memorabilia of Tom Crean, including in the restaurant his very own dining chair.

Obviously, with Tom Crean being a publican himself, it’s fitting for his granddaughter to provide a craft ale with his and her family name on it. Aileen has now broadened the restaurant’s appeal by producing, in conjunction with a local brewery, a fine Irish Red Ale available on draught and bottle in Aileen’s Ice Bar and many pubs and hotels in Kenmare and Kerry.

Her beer has a smooth caramel and biscuit base, complimented by earthy and spicy hop character. A light bitter finish with a little residual sweetness makes this a perfect session ale.

The name ‘Expedition Ale’ not only relates to Tom’s time in the Antarctic, but as 2016 marked the centenary year for his epic crossing of South Georgia with Shackleton and Worsley, but also Aileen’s recreation of the traverse of South Georgia that she did along with her two sons and partner Bill.

Expedition Ale is the only beer ever produced by the Crean Family and for more details please see www.creanfamilycraftale.com. If you are looking for a great new read, ‘Honouring Tom Crean: A centenary Expedition with the Crean family’, is now available on line at www.tomcrean.ie, www.creanfamilycraftale.com and in local bookshops.

Main Street, Kenmare.