Two gold medals for Priory Brewing at Craft Brews and Food Fair
By Aideen O'Flaherty
PRIORY Brewing, which is a relative newcomer to the craft beer scene at less than a year old, won two gold medals at last weekend’s Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair in the Convention Centre in the city centre, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.
The Tallaght-based brewery, which is run by Partas, went up against 400 craft beer brewers and won two of the 27 coveted gold medals in the Dublin Craft Beer Cup, and they also used the occasion to launch two new beers.
Head brewer Seb Kondol (centre) with Priory Brewing directors John Kearns (left) and Bernard Bennett (right)
The company’s debut beer, Original Sin, is already a firm favourite, and now a new session IPA at 3.8 per cent alcohol, called Venial Sin, and a new double IPA at eight per cent, called Mortal Sin, will be brought to the market.
John Kearns, director of Priory Brewing, said: “I think there was genuine surprise in the craft beer community that this little-known new brewery from Tallaght should, on its first attempt, come away with two gold medals.
“It is an incredible endorsement of the hard work and care that has gone into ensuring that Tallaght has not just a local brewery, but a top-class one at that.
“Our head brewer, Seb Kondol, also is to be congratulated as he has previously been successful as a home brewer at national level, and now as a professional brewer.
“The craft beer market in Tallaght is in its infancy but growing, and I think it is important that we have a real local beer for visitors to enjoy and for locals to feel proud of.”
The competition was overseen by head judge Dr Gearóid Cahill, a brewmaster with more than 20 years’ experience, and a panel of 30 judges.
