Pubs In Athlone, Dublin Rd, Part 1

I’ve started an expedition to visit every pub in my local area – Athlone. It’s not a pub crawl per se – more of a leisurely stroll over a protracted period of time.

Pubs change hands, close down, re-open, have new owners, re-brand or any combination of these & more. My visits only capture what I found on the day – or selected memories of times past. They are my own views – your perspective of the venues will probably differ.

This is what I found.

1 – Granary Bar, Creggan Court Hotel, N6 Centre

This is the closest drinking establishment to my home – a half hour walk away – so I started here.

The bar itself is a rather large space more suitable to dining than drinking – there are no chairs or barstools at the bar.

There’s a limited array of whiskey; Jameson, Paddy’s Powers & Tullamore DEW being prominent, with no craft beer visible. I went with the DEW being a local distillery. A soft, light & easily approachable blend with a little prickly bite on the finish.

Tend to use the bar annually for CPC Courses & avail of the carvery which serves up decent pub-grub. Sports screens around the eatery.

Scribes & Charlies Bar, Dublin Rd

There’s a long walk to the next bar. Along the way you pass TUS – Technological University of Shannon – which in it’s AIT days used to have a bar called Scribes, now long gone.

Also gone is Charlies Bar. It burnt down a while ago. A rebuild is commencing but unsure if the bar is included.

2 – The Tack Room, Dublin Rd

When I enter a bar & find large sports screens dominating the area along with a limited drinks selection – I know it’s not for me!

I’m at the stage I’ve a bigger range of spirits at home than most bars – so went with a Jack Daniel’s. It actually was quite an enjoyable tipple in the afternoon sun!

3 – The Shack, Dublin Rd

At last a pub I feel at home in!

A wider variety of whiskeys, some craft beers on tap & the odd tequila too. Do lovely meals with a homely atmosphere provided by warming fires. Was my nearest bar before I moved so been in a few times. Went with a Kilbeggan Black. A soft, sweet & easy peater from the distillery only a half hour drive down the road.

Sean Og’s, Sean Costello St

Many moons ago I attended a live concert featuring a rock band in this pub. Now being converted into accommodation.

4 – Rob’s Ranch House, Sean Costello St

Yee ha! More of a Wild West themed diner rather than a bar. No stools at the bar yet plenty of tables & an extensive food menu.

Remember this venue as the colourful Biddy Mulligan’s, then a short-lived trendy wine-bar before the current Ranch House.

Had some spicy wedges & Jose Cuervo Reposado Tequila keeping with the Wild West theme. The black peppery spice made a tasty change from the whiskeys!

Potters, Sean Costello St

I remember this pub – it had an unusual facade – although I never entered. Now I can’t – as it too is earmarked for accommodation.

5 – The Dark Horse, Sean Costello St

I was in here on a number of occasions when it was Rayners. Bands played this venue regularly, a rowdy disco & hearty meals were enjoyed too.

As The Dark Horse the meals are still served, there’s a nice selection of whiskeys, some craft beers & you’re able to sit at the bar. Quite a lively & busy spot. I went with Toki Japanese Whisky mainly for it’s rarity. A light easy going whisky with a little prickle of excitement on the rear. Grand!

Sláinte

Undead Inside, Forest Fruit Ale, White Hag, 4.8%

I was drawn to this ale by the label design – well it was Cinco De Mayo when I saw it on the SuperValu shelf.

Only noticed the White Hag Brewery logo eyes later on.

Pours a hazy red.

More fruity than tart on the aroma.

It’s a pleasing combination of sweet summer fruits, a touch of tart sourness & a dollop of almost saison earthiness bringing up the rear.

A lovely little brew to wind up the day!

Sláinte

White Hag Brewery website here

The Deposit Return Scheme – DRS – in Ireland. What is it? & Why is it coming in?

The Deposit Return Scheme – DRS – is coming in to play on 1st February 2024 in Ireland.

It’s a scheme designed to boost recycling rates in the state by giving back to customers an additionally added recycling fee charged on all in-scope liquid containers – be they alcoholic or not.

For further details consult various government websites or https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/waste-and-recycling/deposit-return-scheme/

I welcome it’s implementation.

The world’s natural resources are not inexhaustible & human pollution is causing real environmental damage.

The DRS is an attempt to redress that by focussing on recycling rates within the wider drinks industry whose plastic & aluminium cans litter many a street & roadside verge.

Government statement on https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b3f2f-minister-smyth-launches-irelands-deposit-return-scheme/

Yet with every new initiative there are detractors.

I was a bit disappointed by the recent Lacada Brewery statement.

Rather than talk about the environment they said the it’s no longer cost effective for them to continue in the Irish market.

That smacks of putting profit before the environment in my book.

It’s also suggestive of Lacada perhaps struggling a bit – which a lot of small breweries are in the current economic situation – but it’s a bit of a red-herring to blame it all on the DRS.

This then led into a thread I can only describe as a bunch of bemoaners, begrudgers & plain anti-voices to the DRS venting.

Quite frankly – anyone who is opposed to the DRS in my book is against implementing seriously any type of positive steps to improve the appalling waste problem that currently exists both within Ireland & worldwide.

I find it extremely bad publicity for Lacada Brewery & the wider beer community in general.

As for Beer Nut?

On his suggestion I’ve deposited him in the digital trash bin.

Pity I didn’t get my 15 cent recycling fee in return!

Sláinte

Header image courtesy https://fishbio.com/tiny-plastic-pieces-found-in-seafood-and-marine-life/

BrewDog, Punk AF, 0.5%

No – I’m not doing Dry January,

But there were some left-over beers from my Hogmanay shindig on New Year.

I tried to theme the event with a Scottish flavour & although I’d access to plenty of Scotch Whisky – getting hold of Scottish Beers left a limited choice.

Tennent’s Lager, BrewDog Punk IPA & this Punk AF – standing for Alcohol Free – was all I could find.

So I cracked one open.

Quite a sweet, fruity kinda IPA vibe aroma going on – verging on slightly sour – which was actually attractive.

Rather empty mouthfeel.

Remnants of that fruit re-appear on the finish.

Left me feeling – Is that it?

But oddly – it’s probably the 1st IPA I’m not automatically repulsed by!

My thinking is it didn’t exhibit any bitterness?

However if I was the designated driver – other than trying it for the novelty – I think I’d prefer to stick to lemonade myself.

As for the Tennent’s – mass market mainstream lager.

Sláinte

BrewDog website here.

Rascals, Club Rock Shandy Pale Ale, 4.5%

Well I have to hand it to the folks at Rascals Brewing for coming up with such a highly entertaining Club – synonymous with Orange – Rock Shandy Pale Ale.

At 4.5% it’s decidedly alcoholic – yet the nose demonstrates those Club Orange notes mixed in with a slightly bitter pale ale element.

Very fruity on the palate.

Finishes with an ever-so-slightly dry tartness.

A fun brew indeed!

Sláinte

Wicklow Wolf, Sliced Can, 3%

I do love the bright attractive colours of this beer can & the fun filled pun driven name of Sliced Can.

It simply drew me to purchase it!

It’s a sustainable brew using surplus Brennan’s Family Pan bread in the mix.

The results are delightful!

I enjoyed a rich malty – even bready – aroma on nosing.

This flowed through into the taste giving this lager like beer an almost solid body.

Faded away quite quickly – but left a smile on my face.

The combination of a very tasty beer brewed using environmentally aware practices ticked a few boxes for me.

I’ll be looking out for it again!

Sláinte

Wicklow Wolf website here.

Gwei-lo, Ginger Beast, 4.3%

I picked up this alcoholic Ginger Beer in a Northern Irish supermarket recently.

Not coming across it before & being partial to a Ginger Beer it obviously made my bag.

A distinctive looking can helped.

The ginger aroma was muted on the nose.

A balanced array of flavours greeted my palate.

Ginger – yes – but complimented by a fruity freshness.

A nice brew – but couldn’t help feeling the ginger was a little hidden by the other flavours.

Sláinte

Gwei-lo website here.

8 Degrees Brewing, Full Irish Single Malt IPA, 6%

Single Malt IPA?

Well after trying a Single Malt Lager I had to give it a go.

Even if IPA wouldn’t be my favourite style of beer – a tad too bitter for my tastes.

Single Malt IPA starts off with that bitter, hoppy fruit aroma thing going on which merges seemlessly into the palate with a decent amount of carbonation.

I’m afraid IPA is a style I just can’t get into.

As for the Single Malt moniker?

There’s no legal definition in the beer world – but it is the product of one brewery – Eight Degrees – using a single variety of malt – so why not?

I just prefer Single Malt Lager myself.

Sláinte

Eight Degrees Brewing website here.

My review of 12 Acres Single Malt Lager here.

Erdinger Brauhaus, Natur Radler, 2.6%

Radler is a German style of beer that’s slowly making it’s way to Ireland.

Erdinger have a few lagers on the market – but their Natur Radler is a new one for me.

Lovely fresh citrussy aroma.

Very easy palate, fresh lemonade like.

Leaves with a dry lemony zest fading slowly.

A refreshing summer’s drink.

Sláinte

Erdinger website here.

Galway Bay Resin & Rye, American Barleywine, 10.7%

Now that the irrepressible social connector @SimonSaysBeer is off to pastures new I thought an homage to his former employers with this Resin & Rye American Barleywine was overdue.

That bready rye nose is evident on the frothy top.

For a barleywine – at least the ones I’m used to – its quite light on the palate.

I can get the old school hops – which pleases me – & makes me want to put some old skool bangin’ beats on the stereo.

Resin & Rye does get heavier on the finish.

It reminds me of flavours I used to enjoy when old skool music was current.

It wasn’t Simon says back then,

What Charly says went!

Sláinte

Galway Bay Brewery website here.

Simon has moved onto Four Corners here.