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The Beal Ban – The King of Irish Beers
Type: Blonde Ale
By far my favorite Irish beer by quite some distance, I stumbled upon Beal Ban at the outstanding Marina Inn Pub in Ireland’s daintiest town – Dingle! Brewed ) at the neighborhood West Kerry Brewery (a.k.a Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne), Beal Ban was an instant winner!
Beal Ban – Hand’s down my favorite beer in the world!
The Beal Ban is available on tap by cask and bottle – pours a dark amber with a white head, and settles into a perfect gold colored blondie! 😉
Aroma hints at sweet caramel, slight yeast, honey and barley sugar – the smell itself made me swoon for a couple of moments before I took the first swig! First notes go in line with the aroma, with a tinge of caramel, barley, honey and a biscuity edge to very easily evident. With low, soft carbonation and a medium, sweetish malty body, this is the perfect brew for those that aren’t the biggest fans of the bitter beer! For me, what won me over hands down about this really well made beer was the amazing flavor – served chilled, with smoked salmon and crabmeat platter, I probably had the most blissful brunch of my life!
The Beal Ban is mainly available in Co. Kerry and I hardly saw it thereafter except for in a select few places in Dublin, so I’m guessing it’s a fairly regional brew, so make sure you have lots of it while you can 😉
So there it is then folks! So many wonderful Irish beers, one round each corner – all waiting to stump you and fall more and more in love with this lovely land of merryness 🙂
Discovered At: Marina Inn, Dingle, Co. Kerry
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Do you love discovering new brews? Have you been to Ireland? Did you also stumble upon some amazing local Irish beer? I’d love to know it all!
Also Read:
Ireland: 50 Shades of Green, Blue & Beer
I’ll have to pass this to my boyfriend… I don’t personally drink but he loves beer!
Great post! Loved trying all the different beer while in Ireland. Although I preferred the ciders I was also a fan of harp- especially when they mixed it with ‘lemonade’.
Hannah, it was part of my daily routine in Ireland – everytime I entered a pub, I’d interrogate the bartender for his favorite choice of local brew! Worked like a charm most times. Never tried the lemonade trick with Harps – maybe next time (sure sounds very intriguing)
MMMM BEER that is awesome that you found a really good beer. I like trying different things here in canada
Thanks for sharing! My husband and I really want to go to Ireland within the next few years. It looks like such a beautiful country- and the beer certainly can’t hurt!
Samantha,
you really must – you’ll hardly believe how beautiful the land is and how warm the people are through somebody else’s words 🙂
Not a beer drinker but got a few friends who love the whole beer experience.
Nolie,
That’s a shame, really – but there’s beverages of all kinds in Ireland. Do you prefer ciders? Do share this with your beer guzzling friends 😉
I’m not a drinker but I’m sure there will be plenty that will love this! I’ll have to pass it on.
I don’t drink . . . can’t even stand to smell beer . . . but I love Ireland and the Irish. Does that count? 🙂 I have not been to Ireland but it is on my “bucket list.” I made it over to Scotland once and found that it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I’m sure Ireland is breathtaking as well. I can’t wait for my chance to see it.
Oh it’s interesting you mention that Tina, because I was in Scotland immediately before I traveled to Ireland and I found both cultures to be quite similar – connoisseurs of good beer, whiskey & wine, great patrons of literature and music and generously warm people as a rule! You should drop by – Ireland will hardly disappoint 🙂
I can’t stand beer, but I know my brother would love this post. He enjoys trying out different kinds of beer.
– HilLesha O’Nan
Be sure to pass it on – I’m sure he’ll find a favorite somewhere therein 🙂
I will have to share with my father-in-law who loves trying all different kinds of beers.
I am not a beer drinker but I have some friends that are. They are planning a trip to Dublin so I will share this with them.
Catherine, if they are going to be in Dublin tell them not to miss out on the Temple Bar area – that block has some of the best traditional and contemporary pubs in the city. Porterhouse and Temple Bar itself to name a couple 🙂
I’d like to try these, but I’m sadly not that big into beer. I’m more of a wine person personally.
You know, I’ve never had an Irish beer before, but these sound really good. I’ll have to give one a try.
I’ve never been into beer, but I’m going to give these a shot. I’m of Irish descent, so maybe these will tickle my pallet.
Goodmorning Irishman Ben! Happy to make your acquaintance – I’m quite sure it’d do more than just tickle your pallet sir 🙂
All of these sound so good. .I love a good beer, and I’ve never had an Irish brew before.
They All Sound Delicious Love All The Different Flavors Thank You For Sharing!!
I’m not really a beer drinker, but one day I plan to try an Irish brew with my corned beef & cabbage on St. Patty’s Day.
I have never been to Ireland but would love to go some day just to try the beers. I have heard they have the best beers. They sound amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Not a beer drinker persay…BUT my hubby goes nuts over beer battered bread. Maybe we will have to try it with a taste of Ireland next time 🙂
Irish beer is too grassy for me. I like the good taste of a proper blonde!
I have never been to Ireland, only to England next door and as able to taste a few Irish beers. I think I would like Tom Crean’s fresh Irish lager. I generally don’t prefer to have beer that is too bitter.
I went to Ireland a number of years ago and loved it! The food and the beer are so good. I have never had Guinness but I have sampled some of the other stuff.
I’m not a beer drinker. A trip to Ireland would be fun though.
I hate all beers and ales.. I’ll drink anything else though alcohol wise.. I like the stronger stuff, not the weak stuff, never have liked the taste of beer.
I have never been to Ireland, but if I ever get the chance to — this post will definitely come in handy.
I don’t drink, but I definitely want to go to Ireland. So thanks for sharing. If I ever make there I will definitely keep the beers in mind for my beer-drinking-buddies!
I love beer but tend to stick with the locals – great post, thanks for sharing!
I will keep these in mind for when we head across. I am always unsure which beers I should try – I am not really Guinness fan and prefer a lighter beer so this is a great, handy guide to have. Thanks for sharing.