Craft beer producers have eyes on Beerfest and the top Beoir award

MORE than 20 craft beer producers from all over Ireland will travel to Killarney in just under a fortnight’s time, bringing over 100 tasty beverages to the town’s acclaimed Beerfest, which this year runs between Friday May 26 and Sunday May 28.

There’ll be plenty to quench the thirst of festival-goers, with beer-tasting master-classes, award ceremonies, competitions, tasty bites, and live entertainment running throughout what looks a packed billing.

Kinnegar Brewing will be hoping for a repeat of its 2016 success in the in the top category of the Beoir Ireland’s awards programme. Shining as one of the festival’s highlights, there are no less than eight categories open to breweries from the North and South, though all eyes will be on the most prestigious category, ‘Beoir Champion Beer of Ireland.’

This year’s overall winning brewer will receive the opportunity to brew an exclusive craft beer and complete a full promotional campaign for sponsors Carry Out Licence, so there’s a lot up for grabs. Competition aside though, there’ll be plenty on offer for those that just want to sit back and relax, thanks to a music line up that includes Rackhouse Pilfer, Beoga, The Whileaways, and more.

As well as all of that, the festival’s workshops carry their usual appeal, with the likes of award-winning food writer and broadcaster Caroline Hennessy, the National Homebrew Club, and Newstalk’s Dean McGuinness on hand to offer their expertise on matters beer-related.

Regardless of your knowledge or interest in craft beers however, the weekend isn’t short of attractions, and there’ll be plenty to interest even the novice pint drinker.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan If the Beer Cap fits… Don O’Leary, left and Gordon Lucey, award winning craft beer producers, Ballyvourney’s 9 White Deer Brewery, getting in the mood for this years Killarney Beerfest, at the Gleneagle Hotel on May 26-28. They will be joined by...