RAISE A GLASS TO BREWING AND DISTILLING MONTH
Northern Ireland is proud to be home to a number of excellent breweries and distilleries, all busy handcrafting some of the Ireland’s finest beverages.
This year is the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016 and April is dedicated to brewing and distilling. We are fortunate in Northern Ireland to have such a super collection of distilleries and breweries producing everything from the finest cider and whiskey to craft beers and gin.
Not only that, but there are many exciting drink themed events and happenings taking place all over the country including the not-to-be-missed Hilden Beer & Music Festival which takes place between August 26-28 in Hilden, Co. Antrim.
Tourism Northern Ireland has created a refreshing list of tours, events and happenings for you to enjoy on a short break so check their website for updates.
Raise a glass to the tour
Bushmills Distillery
Positioned on the beautiful North Coast, Bushmills Distillery is Ireland’s oldest working distillery. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour where they will learn about the 400 year history whilst taking in all the associated sights and smells, enjoy tutored whiskey tastings whilst being able to browse the gift shop. After enjoying a tour of this fascinating distillery visitors can explore all that the stunning North Coast has to offer including the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
Hilden Brewery
Hilden Brewery is Ireland’s oldest independent brewery and is located near Lisburn in the 19th century courtyard of Hilden House. Many visitors flock to the Brewery each year to discover its interesting history and heritage and to sample the award-winning cuisine. Hilden Brewery Beers are available at various bars and restaurants throughout Northern Ireland including Molly’s Yard Belfast, The John Hewitt, Belfast and the Dirty Duck in Holywood.
Rademon Estate Distillery
Rademon Estate Distillery in Crossgar Co. Down is the home of the recently launched Shortcross Gin. Gin lovers should keep an eye out for the estate’s new visitor experience centre which is set to open this year and will take guests on a fascinating journey of how this hand bottled award winning gin came to be. Whilst in the area make sure to visit the Irish Linen Centre where you can take an audio visual tour and see the weaving centre and hand looms.
Hughes Craft Distillery
Hughes Craft Distillery in Lisburn is the brain child of Stuart and Barbara Hughes who manage everything first-hand in their small batch spirits business producing a wide range of award-winning RubyBlue Spirits in a variety of flavours. RubyBlue Liqueurs are made with real fruit from quintuple distilled Irish grain spirit and infused with blackcurrants, wild blueberries, cranberries and chilli peppers. The distillery has gained many coveted awards including Global Vodka Master Gold, New York World Wine and Spirits Sliver and have won stars in the Great Taste Awards. Tours can be arranged which take visitors on the journey behind this interesting range of drinks.
Walled City Brewery, Derry~Londonderry
The Walled City Brewery is a brew house and restaurant in one making it a unique destination for sampling tasty craft beers and enjoying the delicious tapas style menu. Visitors to the brewery can discover the fascinating stories as to why the brewery’s craft beers are named Boom, Stitch and Kick. Be sure and visit the City Walls which are 1.5km in circumference and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day.
Armagh Cider Company
Armagh is renowned around the world for its Bramley Apples and the Troughton family behind the Armagh Cider Company have been at the centre of the apple growing tradition for generations. All of their products are artisan and handcrafted so they are completely natural and contain no artificial ingredients or flavours. Those interested in finding out more can contact the Armagh Cider Company and arrange a tour. Be sure to visit the Navan Centre which offers a unique appreciation of the history of the area through a stimulating exhibition packed full of information, artefacts and hands on activities for all the family.
McComb’s Grub Crawl Tour
Those looking for a tasty way to spend the day with friends should look no further than McComb’s Coach Travel’s new tour, Grub Crawl, which will visit some of the country’s most innovative food and drink producers, in a luxury coach. Tours operate on a Fridayand Saturday and these will take in renowned food places such as Abernethy Butter, Kilmegan Cider, Mourne Seafood Bar and The Poachers Pocket.
Raise a glass to the event
The Belfast Craft Beer Festival takes place in Custom House Square, Belfast, from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 April and is a four day celebration of the renaissance happening in NI artisan food, craft beer, cider and distilling sectors. The event will host a gathering of over 50 vendors and attendees will enjoy a truly authentic experience as they interact with passionate, local producers and discover the tastes of the region. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample various food and drink whilst enjoying live music.
Newry Craft Beer Festival on April 30- 1 May has ten craft breweries exhibiting over 30 craft products to try including Mourne Mountain Brewery, Armagh Cider Company, Bullhouse Brewing, Whitewater Brewery and more. It will be a fun filled action packed weekend with the best of local craft products accompanied by a top notch entertainment line-up including Chris Keys, The Third Wheel, Michael Kerr and more.
Armagh Apple Blossom Fair delves into the rich apple growing heritage this May Bank Holiday weekend (April 30- May 2) with events centred at Ardress House, Loughgall Country Park and fascinating orchard tours around the county.
For further information check out this video on Brewing & Distilling https://youtu.be/HI8Y9U5BjSg or log on to www.discovernorthernireland.
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