My in-laws run Europe’s most westerly bookshop, in Dingle, County Kerry, and as a regular visitor to the west coast, I’m delighted by the rising tide of top-notch local drinks. Dingle Gin is fab, and the West Kerry Brewery at Tig Bhric – Kerry’s first micro-brewery in over a century – brews brilliant Cúl Dorcha beer, among others. While many of us raise a pint of the ubiquitous black stuff on St Patrick’s Day, Ireland – especially if you buy online – has an expanding range of unmissable splendour on offer.
Beyond big-name Irish beers, I’m a fan of The White Hag Brewing Company in County Sligo, with creative kit such as The Púca Dry Hopped Lemon Sour with Berry Hibiscus & Ginger. Unfiltered and unpasteurised, with just 3.5% alcohol, it’s an all-day sucker that’ll keep you sharply quenched from this St Patrick’s Day to the next (£2.95, beermerchants.com).
For a huge, dark beer, go for The White Hag Black Boar Imperial Oatmeal Stout 2016 (10.2%, £2.95 beermerchants.com) – thanks to ageing in bourbon barrels, it’s as powerful as an espresso ocean boosted by a tide of treacle.
Eight Degrees Brewing in County Cork blows me away, and if you want one genuinely awesome Irish experience this year, drink its Knock Mealdown Irish Stout (5%), recommended above, or for a hoppy tropical dazzler, Eight Degrees Citra Single Hop IPA (5.7%, £2.99, flavourly.com) is also a stunner.
Barry’s Tea always features on my visits to County Kerry and I’m thrilled to see it among the botanicals for Blackwater Barry’s Tea Gin, with its golden tint and spicy twist. Alternatively, for sheer purity, Blackwater No 5 gin is incredibly elegant (41.5%, £29.99, homedeliverywine.com).
Of course there’s Irish whiskey, and I’ve found a stunner, above, from my go-to stockist for St Patrick’s Day – but remember the liqueurs too. Open a bottle of Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur (16%, £22, John Lewis) within a 100-mile radius of my wife and it will vanish to the echo of laughter and early signs of a living-room disco night. Spot on for celebrating good times, great craic and Saint Patrick himself! Sláinte!