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Downstream is back!.... and this time it’s personal Those of you who follow my blog The Dirty Hallion might remember I wrote a piece on Downstream IPL when it was released last year. As a beer nerd I loved being able to know more about the beer I was drinking and the fact it was a pretty tasty brew was an added bonus. Well it’s back, the IT guys have revamped the website, the design guys have updated the branding and the br...

Ireland is an island that has long been associated with the brewing and the drinking of beer, from the earliest recording of brewing over 5000 years ago, to the current behemoth of Guinness. It has the perfect temperate climate for growing barley, though not the best for growing hops. This explains why traditional Irish beer styles would be to the darker end of the spectrum, leaning heavily on roast malt to give flavour instead of...

Because of its “difficult” past, Northern Ireland has always been a little bit behind the trend. The craft beer movement had a slow start here, but it’s really built up a head of steam. And while more rural areas may still be pretty limited in craft options, residents of and visitors to the city of Belfast have their choice of great bars with local and import craft on tap.Northern Lights Ormeau Road When BrewBot closed ...